Kaiser Permanente: A Model Employer For People With Disabilities
By James Schneider
Kaiser Permanente representatives spoke with CAREERS & the disABLED
magazine about its efforts to recruit, hire, and promote people with
disabilities. Executives also offer their advice to college students
and young professionals looking to find jobs and move ahead in the workplace.
Ronald Knox, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Kaiser Permanente
says, “In today’s business environment characterized by
5% national unemployment, aging and retiring baby boomers, annual available
workforce growth of 1%, and fierce competition for talent in a shrinking
labor market and expanding economy, the task to secure the human talent
needed to sustain a company’s market position is daunting. Kaiser
Permanente has long recognized that the largest, 54 million, and most
underutilized minority segment of the labor market are people with disabilities.
Recruiting and cultivating diverse talent is central to our workforce
diversity strategy. Employment of people with disabilities enables our
success to deliver quality care and service to our members and patients.”
C&D: How can the college experience be helpful in your future career?
Christine Talbot, Vice President, Human Resources—National Functions
“College prepares you for a career in many ways: you learn to
think about issues, efficiently acquire new information, categorize
and use information, manage a volume of homework, and pace your work
to meet deadlines. At work you also must pace yourself to accomplish
your tasks and assignments to deadlines. As you are involved in extracurricular
activities, you may gain experience to lead others and lead events or
activities. The experience you gain in school activities is often the
subject of interviews to better understand what you learned as a leader
or what you learned about influencing others. In college, you also learn
to interact with professors and administrators—good skills in
these interactions will help you in workplace relationships with your
manager and others on the job who are at higher levels in their career.
Any work experience during college, summer, part time, or internships
is invaluable to learn what employers want from employees. You demonstrate
commitment to show up for work when scheduled, follow through on tasks,
and learn on the job.”
Patricia Finnegan, Director, National Recruitment Programs
“Depending on your career path, a college education is essential
to move forward in a healthcare career. As an integrated healthcare
organization, Kaiser Permanente offers career opportunities for both
business and medical professionals. Opportunities within the organization
are expansive, ranging from physicians; patient care providers, such
as registered nurse, physical therapist to management (e.g. Finance,
Marketing, etc.). A college education provides potential applicants
with a competitive advantage.”
Barbara J. Dirks, Diversity and Education Consultant & Co-Chair
of Kaiser Permanente People with disAbilities Staff Association &
Donald W. Ford, SST-mental Health Therapist & Co-Chair of Kaiser
Permanente People with disAbilities Staff Association
“Going to college opens the opportunity to explore and expand
our horizons. It allows us to learn how to multi-task, to manage time,
to speak in public, and to write clearly. It also gives us a chance
to meet not only experts in our field of interest but others who have
differing ideas than ourselves.
“College-educated people are also more often able to earn more
money than a person with just a high-school education, find employment
in white-collar or professional positions, and have greater work opportunities
because their skills are transferable to different job settings.
“An individual with disabilities with a college degree working
in a white-collar or professional position will have a greater probability
to be in a position where the work environment possesses less access
issues that makes accommodations simpler. For example, in various trade,
and skilled labor positions there is less of a likelihood of standardized
ergonomic work settings. Conversely, office, academic, clinical, and
research facilities share more common physical environments leading
to simpler or no accommodations.”
Pam Kearns, Patient Transfer Coordinator
Pam Kearns is a registered nurse who has worked for Kaiser Permanente
for 16 years. She is currently a chronic care coordinator. Kearns is
blind and utilizes adaptive equipment that allows her to competently
and efficiently perform her job. She constantly utilizes various internal
and external resources to remain competitive with others in her profession.
“College helps people mature socially. The scholastic environment
exposes you to other career options you may not have considered. There
are networking opportunities that connect you with others in your field
who have similar career goals in a supportive climate. College campuses
provide an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge adaptive equipment
and technology that is available to help you perform your job. There
are provisions made for people with disabilities to work in a laboratory-type
setting that gives them the unique experience to actually utilize and
become proficient with the equipment before entering the workforce.”
Edgar Quiroz, Director, Workforce Diversity, National Diversity Department
“In order to maintain its position as a national healthcare leader
and innovator, Kaiser Permanente will depend on the increasing industry
demand for highly educated workers who will be a major driver in our
continued success. The combination of growth and replacement of retiring
workers poses a significant challenge in terms of providing the needed
workforce to keep us competitive.
“Employers and industries demand greater levels of education.
While current requirements are that 26% of jobs require an associate’s
degree, bachelor’s degree, or higher, it is projected that 34%
of employment growth will have such a requirement.”
C&D: What is the most effective way to find a job (i.e. on campus
recruiter, job fair intranet, help wanted ads, etc.).
Christine Talbot: “Networking has always paid high dividends
to applicants seeking jobs. The same is true today, but it is important
to remember that in this day and age networking happens in a variety
of ways. Today’s job applicant will need to be Internet savvy
and learn about the various job-posting boards online.
“There are three important things that college graduates must
remember: Fully avail yourself of all on-campus resources in your career
center—don’t miss this obvious resource. Some career centers
assist in networking with alumni that can give you current information
on organizations and jobs of interest
“Cast your net wide. Use every avenue to locate opportunities
for employment. Practice your presentation—practice talking about
your interests, your successes in school, and previous work experiences.
Be prepared for opportunity when it surfaces.”
Barbara J. Dirks & Donald W. Ford:
“When looking for a job, it is important to identify your skills,
then research businesses or organizations that can utilize these skills.
If possible, consider doing a practice field survey in which you job
shadow or interview a professional in the type of job that you are interested.
“Additionally, network with people in your field by joining professional
organizations. Subscribe to journals to follow trends and their employment
ads for job leads.
“If you need additional experience to find a job, consider volunteering
or interning with an organization as a means of entry into a field and
as a way of skill development. Join a job-search support group, which
helps you network for job leads and other information and the chance
to gain support from other jobseekers.”
Patricia Finnegan: “Kaiser Permanente relies heavily on the use
of the Internet to place its position openings. At http://www.kaiserpermanentejobs.org/
potential candidates can find jobs located in eight of our regions and
our headquarters. Through our affiliation with online search engines
such as Monster.com, Hotjobs.Yahoo.com, and Medhunters.com we are able
to notify thousands of candidates about potential job opportunities
within the organization. Kaiser Permanente’s national recruitment
programs also develops an extensive diversity media schedule. By placing
image advertisements in magazines such as CAREERS & the disABLED,
Ability magazine, and Equal Opportunity magazine, our goal is to attract
the largest pool of qualified diverse candidates.”
Edgar Quiroz: “Kaiser Permanente has benefited from the establishment
of strategic partnerships with online, job-seeking Internet sites that
attract a diverse pool of prospective applicants. Campus career centers,
as well as community- based organizations that provide advocacy and
resources to persons with disabilities should be included in your job
search.“
Pam Kearns: “It is true that it is not always what you know but
who you know. Other nursing professionals who were aware of job openings
at Kaiser Permanente referred me to my position. Networking can be a
real asset to find employment.”
C&D: What is a successful strategy for upward mobility (i.e. continuing
education, oral & written communication skills, and professional
organizations)?
Christine Talbot: “Finely tuned oral and written communication
skills are important to successfully move ahead in any organization.
Employers are more likely to provide support and opportunities for advancement
to employees who excel in their current positions. Employees who demonstrate
flexibility, high performance, and deliver consistently are always more
likely to succeed.”
Barbara J. Dirks & Donald W. Ford: “The beginning step for
upward mobility is to figure out what you want, and determine where
you would like to be in your career in five and ten years. Once you
have a goal, learn what you have to do to get there. One way to find
out what experience and skills you may need is to interview people who
are already in the job to which you aspire. If this goal requires going
back to school then follow through with an education plan.
“Find a mentor, who can coach, counsel, give advice, and sometimes
provide access and exposure to management and the skills you need for
upward mobility.
“Volunteer for committees in which you demonstrate and expand
your skills, which will become visible to others who will see your abilities
that could lead to a promotion.”
Patricia Finnegan: “Ambition is key to moving up in any organization.
A willingness to take on additional projects and assignments demonstrates
a desire to grow in the organization. Kaiser Permanente offers tuition
reimbursement to employees interested in continuing their education
and improving their skills.
“Kaiser Permanente also offers training to employees and members
of the community at large in allied health professions including, radiology,
sonography, nuclear medicine, and phlebotomy, through the Kaiser Permanente
School of Allied Health Sciences in Richmond, CA. At Kaiser Permanente,
we value our employees and do all we can to cultivate satisfying careers.”
Edgar Quiroz: “Personally investing in your formal education
and training is always beneficial to acquire new skills and competencies
to take on leadership roles. Also, establishing personal connections
is essential to plan for a successful career. At Kaiser Permanente,
through the use of formal employee groups, such as our multicultural
staff associations and other informal networks, we encourage our employees
to develop professional relationships that help them navigate their
careers in the company.
“It is also important to remember that not everyone’s career
ascension is the same. Individuals looking to move forward must be willing
to understand the value of a career lattice vs. a career ladder. Participating
in leadership activities outside of your regular work hours and taking
on additional projects is a good way to differentiate yourself as someone
interested in moving ahead.”
Pam Kearns: “Always pursue excellence. Keep current in both knowledge
and technology. Do not be afraid to work hard. In my experience, a professional
who is blind or any professional with a disability has to work twice
as hard to achieve the same goals as individuals without a disability.
Attitude is key.”
C&D: How has the company aided people with disabilities in and
out of the workplace to provide a user-friendly environment?
To comply fully with requirements of both the federal Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as state and local legislation, Kaiser
Permanente provides qualified employees with disabilities the reasonable
job accommodations necessary to enable satisfactory performance of essential
job functions.
Kaiser Permanente engages in an interactive process with the person
to clarify his or her needs and identify appropriate reasonable accommodation
options. External vendors are utilized, when necessary, to make assessments
and recommendations on the most appropriate and effective accommodations.
Common accommodations include adapting workplaces and providing devices
such as adaptive equipment for electronic devices.
Tom Debley, Director, Heritage Resources, Brand Strategy, Communications
& Public Relations
“Kaiser Permanente has a long history of ensuring that persons
with disabilities are included in our workforce. The earliest story
of diversity and people with disabilities comes from the home front
of World War II starting in Kaiser’s shipyard in Vancouver, WA,
run by Edgar Kaiser, the founder’s son.
“In early 1942, several young men were turned down for jobs because
they were deaf. Vancouver is home to the Washington School for the Deaf.
Robert Monroe, a student who did yard work at Edgar Kaiser’s home
with other teenagers who were deaf, tells the story. ‘We were
excellent workers,’ he recalls. ‘So they asked Edgar Kaiser
why deaf workers were rejected at the shipyard. Angered at this news,
Kaiser picked up the telephone and ordered a limousine brought to the
house. With the boys, he went to the shipyard, bawled out the hiring
manager, and ordered him to hire deaf workers.
“Over the next few years, people with a wide range of disabilities
were hired in all of the Kaiser shipyards. Robert Monroe, himself, became
a welder. Later, a study by a Permanente physician in the Richmond Shipyards—now
part of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II National Historical Park—looked
at what workers with disabilities could do and it was published in book
form as Kaiser Permanente’s first national community benefit project
for communities across the U.S. to help them integrate soldiers with
disabilities into the workforce after World War II.”
Edgar Quiroz: “The Kaiser Permanente Employees with DisAbilities
Associations plays a critically important role to provide cultural knowledge
to inform the development of product and business initiatives as well
as essential community advocacy and feedback to the organization, while
engaging the workforce and demonstrating that diversity awareness is
an integral part of the business.
“Every year, in October, Kaiser Permanente co-sponsors Disability
Awareness Month with the Bay Area broadcasting station KQED. During
this time, we honor community leaders who are committed to serve and
advocate for persons with disabilities. The members of the Kaiser Permanente
Staff Associations for Persons with DisAbilities help in this process
by reviewing applications and selecting individuals to be honored.
“By honoring members of this deserving population, Kaiser Permanente
plays an active role to eliminate bias and stigma towards persons with
disabilities.”
Deborah Jackson, Director, Regional Diversity Operations, National
Diversity Department
“Under the leadership of the Colorado Region, Kaiser Permanente
has produced a video series designed to increase awareness around diversity-related
issues. One of the videos, entitled The Spirit is Able explores the
unique experiences of persons with disabilities. The video is comprised
of short interviews and real- time footage of Kaiser Permanente employees
and members with disabilities in their day-to-day lives. The 30-minute
video tastefully explores topics such as the myths, stereotypes, successes,
and challenges of the various persons with disabilities that are featured
in the film. The video is available for use as a training tool in all
eight of the regions that Kaiser Permanente serves.”
Barbara Smisko, National Co-Lead, Integrated Disability Management
Program
“The Integrated Disability Management (IDM) program at KP is an
interrelated series of collaborative strategies designed to fulfill
Kaiser Permanente’s objectives of workplace safety, worker health,
employee wellness, and productivity. We believe these characteristics
of our workplace, and of our workforce, are essential to Kaiser Permanente
being the best place to work and the best place to receive care.
Each region manages the IDM Program. The goal is to allow eligible employees
to work safely in medically suitable, temporary transitional work assignments
when they are unable to work in their usual capacity. Eligible KP employees
are individuals healing from injuries, illnesses, or disabling health
conditions and who have been medically released to work, with restrictions.
Once the employee is functionally stable and has reached maximum medical
improvement, IDM facilitates medically appropriate work status decisions
that are based on their healthcare provider’s conclusions and
recommendations. These may lead to the employee’s returning to
his or her usual work, seeking reasonable accommodation, or determining
other permanent work status outcomes. IDM may also support continuing
care and management of a medically necessary leave until the employee
is able to reach a stable and satisfactory conclusion. The IDM Program
is designed to prevent permanent work disability by keeping people employed.”
Timothy D. Byrd, Technical Recruiter Consultant Specialist
“Kaiser Permanente has entered into an exciting collaboration
with the California Regional Office of the United States Department
of Veteran Affairs (Department of Veteran Affairs) that will provide
unique IT career opportunities for disabled veterans returning from
the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The Department of Veteran Affairs has developed an IT training
program that provides veterans with a certification in basic PC and
networking skills. This program both expands upon technical skills gained
while in the military and provides skills that move veterans closer
to Cisco certification. Through this unique partnership, Kaiser Permanente
guarantees that students who successfully complete this certification
and apply for a position with Kaiser Permanente will be seriously considered
for employment with KP-IT as help desk analysts for the service desk
operations.
“The help desk analyst serves as the first point of contact for
request for IT-related assistance. He or she has the potential to interact
with and provide technical assistance to a wide array of business and
medical professionals. People entering into a level one help desk analyst
position can look forward to a variety of professional development opportunities
that will bring them closer to attaining a network engineer position
within the Cisco environment.
“Within three to five years, many help desk analysts are able
to move into other engineering positions within the organization. Additionally,
with the technology that is currently available, accommodating a help
desk analyst with a disability through the use of adaptive equipment
is a relatively simple process and poses no barrier for disabled veterans
seeking this type of position with the organization.
“It is our hope that through this collaboration, the Department
of Veteran Affairs will have greater success in placing war heroes into
civilian employment and Kaiser Permanente will gain access to candidates
who have been exposed to the type of discipline and willingness to learn
that it takes to develop successful careers. We view this new venture
as a ‘win-win’.”
C&D: How can persons with disabilities deal with job discrimination?”
Kaiser Permanente has a long history of promoting fairness and equitable
treatment in the workplace. To that end, Kaiser Permanente is committed
to sustain a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.
Kaiser Permanente’s national equal employment opportunity and
affirmative action policy strictly prohibits discrimination in any personnel
activity or personal work-related interaction on the basis of race,
gender, gender identity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation,
disability, age, veterans’ status, color, or other distinguishing
diversity characteristics.
In support of this policy, KP has a national equal employment opportunity
internal complaint policy that provides a procedure to ensure prompt
and objective investigation of all reported EEO complaints without fear
of retaliation. Employees who feel that they are the victims of job
discrimination, including discrimination based on disability, are encouraged
to report their concerns to their local human resources representative.
All complaints of discrimination are investigated in a timely and thorough
manner with reasonable precautions taken to protect the confidentiality
and privacy of the parties involved. Under the policy, employees who
file complaints receive written notice of the results of the investigation
and have a right to appeal the results to the vice president of human
resources (or designee), who will issue a final written decision. The
policy prohibits any form of retaliation against any employee filing
or participating in the investigation of an EEO complaint.
