Discover proven strategies to help Community Health Centers attract, develop, and retain a diverse, resilient workforce. Learn how to position your CHC as an employer of choice.

As the healthcare labor market grows more competitive, Community Health Centers (CHCs) must go beyond filling open positions, they must strive to become employers of choice. This means building a workplace culture and operational strategy that attracts top talent, fosters retention, and mirrors the rich diversity of the communities they serve.
At Cross Country Workforce Solutions Group, we partner with health centers nationwide to develop workforce strategies tailored for long-term impact. Here's how CHCs can lead the way in creating a high-quality, culturally competent workforce that thrives.
<h2>Build Awareness Through Education and Outreach</h2>
To recruit talent that reflects your community and values, start by expanding your educational footprint.
Best Practices:
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
 <li>Partner with local schools, colleges, and workforce boards to build awareness of career paths in community health, especially among underrepresented populations.</li>
 <li>Host informational sessions, internships, and shadowing programs for high school and college students, especially those from medically underserved areas.</li>
 <li>Promote loan repayment and scholarship opportunities tied to CHC employment to reduce financial barriers.</li>
</ul>
 
Impact:
Educating early-stage professionals about the mission-driven work of CHCs plants the seed for long-term workforce growth and loyalty.
<h2>Recruit with Purpose and Precision</h2>
Recruitment today must be strategic, streamlined, and deeply aligned with your values.
Best Practices:
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
 <li>Leverage technology and data to analyze hiring trends, identify bottlenecks, and forecast future needs.</li>
 <li>Highlight your mission and impact in all job postings. Today’s candidates, especially younger ones, want purpose-driven work.</li>
 <li>Use inclusive language and imagery in recruitment marketing to reflect the diversity of your community.</li>
</ul>
 
Tip from the field:
Working with workforce partners like Cross Country allows CHCs to access a deeper pool of candidates across nursing, allied health, behavioral health, and support staff quickly and compliantly.
<h2>Foster a Culturally Competent and Inclusive Workforce</h2>
Representation matters, especially in healthcare. Building a workforce that reflects the community fosters trust, improves health outcomes, and enhances employee satisfaction.
Best Practices:
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
 <li>Invest in cultural competency training that includes implicit bias, trauma-informed care, and social determinants of health.</li>
 <li>Create affinity groups and mentorship programs to support diverse staff members and develop future leaders.</li>
 <li>Regularly review workforce demographics and equity benchmarks to ensure alignment with community needs.</li>
</ul>
 
<h2>Retain Through Career Pathways and Well-Being</h2>
Retention is more than pay, it’s about growth, balance, and belonging.
Best Practices:
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
 <li>Establish clear internal career pathways so employees can grow without leaving the organization.</li>
 <li>Support whole-person well-being through mental health resources, flexible schedules, and burnout prevention programs.</li>
 <li>Engage in regular feedback loops (stay interviews, pulse surveys) to respond to staff needs in real time.</li>
</ul>

Quick Win:
Start a “Grow from Within” initiative to identify and upskill internal talent, especially front-line workers who want to step into clinical or leadership roles.
<h2>Tell Your Story—and Own It</h2>
Becoming an employer of choice also means communicating your values, impact, and people-first culture externally.
Best Practices:
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
 <li>Showcase employee stories, community engagement and initiatives across your website, social media, and recruitment materials.</li>
 <li>Apply for awards or recognition that highlight your workplace culture (e.g., HRSA Quality Awards, local “Best Places to Work” lists).</li>
 <li>Align your brand and employee value proposition (EVP) with your mission to serve the underserved.</li>
</ul>
 
In today’s complex healthcare landscape, Community Health Centers that intentionally invest in their people will not only survive, but lead. By focusing on education, inclusive recruitment, workforce development, and meaningful retention strategies, CHCs can become the employer of choice in their communities.
At Cross Country Workforce Solutions Group, we specialize in helping CHCs navigate these challenges with scalable, sustainable staffing and workforce solutions. Let’s build a future-ready team together.
Need help designing your employer brand or optimizing your recruitment strategy?
<a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/wsg/contact-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Connect with our team today.</a>

Becoming the Employer of Choice: How Community Health Centers Can Build and Sustain a Resilient, Diverse Workforce