Pros
Average pay, and a job opportunity in a medium sized hospital in a region with limited opportunities. Provides the basic healthcare coverage. Has raised awareness levels with regard to service, customer relations and financial margins. It is difficult to state why this hospital is better for being taken over by CHS. I guess we enjoy some benefit from the economy of scale in purchasing.
Cons
The centralized methodology of management has reduced the hospital Administration to figure-heads and spokes-persons for corporate agendas. Most decisions are made at HQ. The employee surveys are artificially elevated by direct influence from the management. How is it that those who report directly to the Administrative officers rate them as the top six very satisfied employee groups, while at the same time, the Administration is rated poorly by all other clinical and ancillary departments? It is symbolic of this corporations managerial style. The employee satisfaction is not as it seems--and this is one aspect of the culture" (if there is one) of CHS--the pressure to go along with the program, don't question anything, and give them the scores they want and stay under the radar. The sense of separation of our Administrators from the staff is greater now with CHS. It is understood that the bonus system --reserved for the Cxx's is the great motivational force for the Administration--and yet at the very same time the staff is "coached" on how money "is 11th on the scale of things that bring satisfaction" for employees; that we should feel not only lucky to have jobs, but should actually feel loyalty to the corporation. I believe that a Studer thank-you note has value, but you can't eat it or pay a bill with it. Thus, the truth is we are all financially driven. The guys at the top make multi-millions, while the labor force is compelled to take what is given or leave. The hard facts of the economy poke holes through the rhetoric for the employee. The sense of loss in the ability to make effective changes, even in the sense of feeling that your input is valued or desired, that is diminished now. Yes, CHS wants you to help them save a dollar, but there is not much else. So, does the corporate influence make a positive impression to the front-line worker--no it does not. Read all these reviews, and look at some of the common themes that are repeated. In several big decisions and product implementations, CHS has either made a poor choice, or settled on cheapness over quality. As a corporation, it is too proud to admit a mistake, too worried to take responsibility, and too slow to make positive changes. If you come in to work, here or anywhere, understand the system and try to make the best of it. CHS is not unlike many other employers these days. That is the point, it isn't any better here -- so be sure that you get what you need from the relationship. Experience, maybe training, steady work, if it provides what you are looking for then you will not be disappointed. However this is not a progressive thinking company. The pretentiousness is going to be readily visible.