(From left) Taylor Fairhead, Human Resources Information System (HRIS) Specialist;
Idil Bolten, Total Rewards Specialist; Carol Stevenson, Senior Organizational
Development Specialist; and Holly Hill, Payroll Financial Analyst, who worked
together to provide a more seamless and user-friendly experience when it comes
to onboarding and professional growth using SHN’s HCM systems.
Scarborough Health Network's (SHN) health care workers and 850,000-strong patient population are at the centre of its latest digital transformation.
In July 2024, SHN became the first Ontario hospital to implement an extensive suite of integrated health human resource (HHR) technologies in just 18 months. Leveraging a strategic vision and people-focused model to propel the organization forward, SHN is setting a new benchmark as it builds on essential human capital management (HCM) solutions to support rapid growth and level up employee experiences.
Key technologies driving innovation
Workday: This robust HHR application supports data tracking, personalized employee dashboards, talent acquisition, payroll, and compliance management, all aimed at improving the employee experience. The impressive, one-stop suite will help in attracting, engaging, developing and retaining SHN's workforce through the employee journey.
UKG: A cloud-based solution for managing scheduling, timecards, and accruals, enhancing flexibility and functionality.
UKG Timeclocks: Electronic devices installed across SHN hospitals and satellite sites to automate pay based on schedules and hours worked, while supporting strategic scheduling.
Vocantas: A call-out system to manage frontline shift coverage and absence reporting.
The integration of these systems and structures is designed to streamline operations, improve workforce efficiency, and enable health care professionals to focus on what they do best: provide top-tier care to patients and families.
“Exceptional quality care starts with empowering the people who deliver it," said David Graham, President and CEO, SHN. “By optimizing HHR through digital solutions, we are ensuring our people can devote more time and energy to compassionate and inclusive patient care, and setting a new measure for health care innovation in Ontario."
Strategic workforce management
SHN has also established a new Centralized Scheduling and Workforce Optimization Office to support staffing. This team collaborates with program and unit managers at the Network's three hospitals and satellite sites to strategically schedule hospital staff and address unplanned gaps, ensuring optimal staffing levels and improving efficiency.
“HHR is the backbone of exceptional care," said Amanda Firth, SHN's Manager of Critical Care and HCM Change Champion. “By reducing manual and timely administrative labour to ensure we have the right people available at the right times, we can ultimately reduce wait times, improve patient satisfaction, and enhance overall patient outcomes."
Health care landscape
In today's health care environment, trained professionals are in high demand and short supply. Anticipating the significant workplace growth needed to maintain the highest standards for quality and patient safety as Scarborough's population evolves, SHN's milestone project is setting the stage for its growing workforce.
Recognized as one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures in 2023, SHN is committed to building up its team. The new system design is directly aligned with SHN's recruitment campaign, Where the World Comes to Work, which highlights Scarborough and SHN as places where diverse cultures, ethnicities, genders, faiths, and life experiences come together. Now candidates can easily filter their career interests, access SHN's employee referral program, personalize job applications, and introduce themselves directly to the recruiter.
“SHN serves some of the most vulnerable populations in the country," said Michele James, Executive Vice President, People and Transformation, SHN. “Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core to our recruitment strategy, and with the new Workday system, we will provide a better application experience for all applicants including those from diverse backgrounds who are excited to start their journey at SHN and make a difference in Scarborough."
Future-ready health care
Over the last 50 years, Scarborough's population, the Ontario health care system, and Scarborough's three hospitals have all changed dramatically. With this trend expected to continue, HHR management will be even more critical for dynamic environments.
SHN's investment in best-in-class digital health technologies is a testament to its commitment to quality, patient safety, and workforce excellence. The HCM initiative builds on SHN's 2021 implementation of the Epic clinical information system and the MyChart Central East Ontario patient portal, promoting real-time patient care and workforce information access.
By optimizing these technologies, SHN is advancing its award-winning corporate culture to help achieve strategic objectives in HR, talent, payroll, and workforce management.