Moses Lake health center named employer of the year

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake Community Health Center received special recognition Monday for the organization's hiring practices.

The health center was named "Employer of the Year 2007" by WorkSource Business Services Partnership. The partnership is made up of the WorkSource Central Basin Employment Security Department, Columbia Basin Job Corps, Big Bend Community College, SkillSource and S.L. Start.

"We work with over 500 businesses on average, and we can't say enough about this place," said Dustan Knauss of WorkSource.

Knauss said the health center works with nearly every agency involved with the WorkSource Business Services Partnership.

Health center Human Resource Generalist Colleen Hazel said the relationship is beneficial for both organizations. Some referred employees have gone on to join the health center.

"We've gotten some really good candidates and really good employees from those referrals," Hazel said.

Human Resources Director Angie Clark said she felt good about the recognition from WorkSource Business Services Partnership.

"It's really very encouraging and satisfying," Clark said. "We do a lot of work in (human resources) and I'm not sure we're always the department that's recognized."

Clark said she thinks some employers might hesitate to work with the employment services program. She said her experience with them has been positive.

"The level of quality of persons that come through these programs is really good," she said.

Clark said other employers could benefit from using the services.

Knauss said the primary focus of WorkSource Business Services Partnership is for the integration of services, but his main focus is on services to the business community.

"If there's something, we'll try and figure out a way to help," he said.