OTTUMWA, Iowa (KYOU) - Over 30 applicants showed up to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center on Wednesday with a mission to keep healthcare close to home. 32% of applicants were from other clinics.

The hospital’s yearly job fair was already scheduled, but the timing couldn’t be more critical. In recent months, two clinics in Ottumwa have announced closures and reduced services, causing many to lose access to medical care and access to providers.

“We’ve had several people that come in and said that there looking for a new position because they are losing their position at their current clinic,” said Senior Nursing Officer Jessica Kendrick.

Kate Boyer is a student at Indian Hills Community College. She showed up to the job fair with one goal in mind — to start her nursing career and help others right in her hometown.

Boyer said she’s drawn to the profession because of the impact she can make.

“It’s helping me to start my nursing job here... I think everyone needs the health care to keep them healthy and once people get to the hospital they need professional care,” Boyer said.

The hospital is hiring for positions from nurses to CNAs, certified medical assistants, and lab staff. Kendrick said with the recent closures, keeping health care workers in the community has never been more crucial.

“I think it’s really important to the community to be able to retain health care workers here that helps us keep care close to home for our community and that’s what we want to see,” Kendrick said.

https://www.kyoutv.com/ottumwa-regional-health-center-hosts-job-fair-amid-clinic-closures

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