Job Sharing a Neonatal Intensive Care Nutritionist Position

Abstract

Is there a way to retain employment of experienced and skilled personnel while satisfying their family obligations? A job share is a unique and rewarding answer for both employer and employee.Two Pediatric Clinical Nutritionists negotiated with management, departmental and Neonatal, and Human Resources to implement a flexible work arrangement to equally share a Neonatal Intensive Care Position. Since the hospital did not have a policy for job sharing, the Nutritionists had to perform the following steps: 1. Research job sharing arrangements within the field. 2. Prepare a formal proposal. 3. Deliver a win-win sales pitch.The research resulted in very few examples of flexible working arrangements within the field. The proposal included objectives, responsibilities, guidelines, a work schedule, communication tools, professional activities, and plan for an evaluation tool for job share effectiveness. The sales pitch included showing the staffing advantage and bottom-line benefits of retaining experienced staff, while saving on recruitment and retraining.The Job Share position has been successfully in effect for 1-1/2 years. Communication is key to maintaining high performance and continuity of care. A communication form, as well as verbal report via telephone proves instrumental.Retaining a knowledgeable experienced staff is an advantage to an organization. One way to successfully implement this is through a job share position.