Business Spotlight – EncompassCare

We are excited to shine the spotlight on EncompassCare!

Headquartered in Lima, OH, EncompassCare provides physical, occupational, and speech therapy in a variety of post-acute settings in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Their vision is “to be the best health care provider by consistently delivering quality care, promoting employee development, and generating solid financial performance in the communities we serve,” and they strive to achieve this through the following core values:

• Excellence
• Collaboration
• Accountability
• Respect
• Ethical

We chatted with Kendra Nickel, HR Manager, to learn more about what makes EncompassCare a great company to work for and get the scoop on how she tackles today’s hiring challenges.

Question: What makes EncompassCare’s company culture unique? What makes EncompassCare a special place to work?

KN: I repeatedly hear from our employees that they value that our team is like a small, close-knit family. Our CEO and VP regularly visit our locations, talk to staff, listen to feedback, and make decisions with a genuine concern for how the outcomes will affect employees. Team members know they aren’t just another cog in the wheel – our leaders know each of them by name. Our therapists say this familial culture is very different from what they’ve experienced in other settings.

Question: What are the responsibilities of an HR Manager at EncompassCare?

KN: I manage all-things HR from recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and benefits administration to employee relations and everything in between.

Question: What is your biggest hiring challenge?

KN: There’s a shortage of evaluating therapists (physical, occupational, and speech) going through school and entering the workforce, though there’s potential for that to change. Currently, achieving a therapy assistant license only requires two years of school, making it an attractive career path for those who don’t have the time or resources to obtain a master’s or doctoral degree. Additionally, there have been discussions about removing master’s-level therapy programs altogether by 2021, potentially tightening the market even further.

iHire’s industry focus helps us reach niche candidates we’d otherwise be unable to find. General job boards attract candidates from all industries and experience levels, including those who don’t understand the specific credentials that are required for EncompassCare’s open positions. Because iHireTherapy was built just for therapy professionals, the quality of applicant is much higher. — Kendra Nickel, HR Manager at EncompassCare

Question: How has iHire helped you address your hiring challenges thus far?

KN: iHire’s industry focus helps us reach niche candidates we’d otherwise be unable to find. General job boards attract candidates from all industries and experience levels, including those who don’t understand the specific credentials that are required for EncompassCare’s open positions. For instance, candidates see the word “assistant” in a “physical therapy assistant” posting and think, “Oh, that would be a fun job!” and apply despite being highly unqualified. Because iHireTherapy was built just for therapy professionals, the quality of applicant is much higher.

Question: What advice would you give to other hiring managers looking to find the right candidates? 

KN: Understand the specifics of what you’re looking for in a candidate, whether it’s their credentials, skills, experience, or personal traits that would make them a good culture fit with your team. Mapping those requirements out before you start to hire as well as knowing where to look for the right candidates will make a big difference.

Interested in employment opportunities with EncompassCare? Check out their open positions and apply today!

Want to see your business under the spotlight? Contact an account manager at (877) 798-4854 to discuss getting your jobs in front of an audience of highly qualified, engaged talent that you can’t reach anywhere else.​