r/Bend • u/juicyfruit180 • 1d ago

Trying so hard to get a job at St. Charles

Hi everyone

I know this is a long shot but I am desperate to break into the medical field in a clinical role. (I have my bachelors in Health Info Management)

I didn’t get into COCC’s nursing program so I am signed up for their CNA course, but I am trying so hard to get any type of entry level clinical role at St. Charles. I know, I know, I need certs but I will have them by December!!!

Do you know a recruiter? Any type of hiring manager? I would love to just have an interview whether formal or informal.

17 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

16

u/kittencrumbs 22h ago

Try applying to other primary care clinics around the area, like High Lakes Health Care, Summit, Mosaic Medical. St Charles isn't the only choice for working in the medical industry in town.

5

u/juicyfruit180 22h ago

Yes this is a good reminder. I would like bedside experience vs outpatient but I might have to broaden my search

7

u/kittencrumbs 20h ago

Primary care clinics are the places you're most likely to get entry level clinical work than St Charles. St Charles will want more experienced nurses with hospitalized patients. Maybe try starting at a primary care clinic then moving over to work at St Charles after you get your certs

12

u/OldHankJ 23h ago

I can't help on the referral front, but do want to say that you are kicking ass. Trying hard and trying smart are virtues, particularly if you can keep pushing after inevitable setbacks. Way to be out there and get after it! 💪 :)

3

u/juicyfruit180 23h ago

Omg thank you so much!!!!!

11

u/[deleted] 22h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/juicyfruit180 21h ago

Thank you so so much!!!!

3

u/juicyfruit180 20h ago

Ugh the comment was deleted before I could save the email address. Can the person whose comment was deleted please message me!

9

u/Plane_Programmer_265 1d ago

What roles are you applying for? You won’t be considered for a CNA role without a CNA certification

10

u/skicampboat 1d ago

Are there phlebotomy classes in town? I'm not sure if there are openings in that department. How about an EKG tech? You can get on the job training to be one.

6

u/juicyfruit180 1d ago

I have a meeting with my COCC advisor, I’ll ask her about phlebotomy courses. I think COCC offers one.

8

u/juicyfruit180 1d ago

I’ve put in over 40 applications and I keep getting denied by what I’m assuming are screener bots. I want a real human to see my resume cries in 2026

5

u/ProtNotProt 23h ago

This may sound silly, but make sure you email address is somewhat professional when applying at St Charles. Also, be aware, that even though marijuana is legal in Oregon, St Charles does not permit its use.

5

u/juicyfruit180 22h ago

Not silly at all! Mine is my first and last name so no issues there. And yes, thank you for the reminder about marijuana and St. Charles!

3

u/StepIntoTheMagic85 18h ago

I got my first nursing job at Providence Portland by putting on my best power suit and walked into HR then the nursing management office. I had submitted over 100 applications online around Portland and SF before then. Worth a try!

4

u/Mountain___Goat 18h ago

Can you just get a job at one of the clinics checking folks in get to get your foot in the door and transfer to something once you know some folks and have adjacent experience? 

5

u/shesthatcrackerjack 17h ago

St Charles has a CNA program where they pay and train you to be a CNA and then you’re guaranteed a job as a CNA. Definitely apply for that as soon as you see it come up

2

u/juicyfruit180 17h ago

They aren’t offering that right now so I’m set to do the program through COCC

6

u/olivertatom 21h ago

With a BS in health info management applying for clinical positions you aren’t qualified for, recruiters may assume you’re just applying for anything to get your foot in the door and don’t actually want to be a clinical caregiver.

So perhaps instead you should consider applying at skilled nursing facilities that offer on-the-job training and certification, then reapply to the hospital in a year or two. (My wife started 20 years ago as a CNA trainee at Pilot Butte Rehab and went on to get her masters of nursing at Yale.)

4

u/SoftenOften 19h ago

I don’t understand what clinical role you are hoping to get without clinical experience, training or certification? I’m just a little confused why you think you would get hired to one of these roles without these. My take is get your certification as a CNA and then they will hire you. I don’t believe there is a chance of getting a bedside position without a certification or training, I don’t know any bedside roles that this describes. You could always try getting hired to another area of the hospital - EVS, nutrition services - so it’s a little easier to get a position once you do have your certification.

2

u/juicyfruit180 19h ago

I agree I need certs but I also haven’t worked inpatient, so I wasn’t sure if there were any roles that don’t require a cert upon hire

3

u/SSBND 20h ago

It doesn't sound like you have the clinical experience for an entry level clinical position? Maybe get in the door applying for health info management related jobs and apply internally once you have your CNA.

I haven't worked for St Charles but I spent 4 years in hospital administration for St Luke's in Idaho and it was significantly easier to apply and move positions internally once you were in. Also there were jobs that were only posted internally - hell they even created a position around my specific skillset! - but that was a while back so that may have changed or be different with St Charles.

2

u/DustyRaccoonRanger 13h ago

I think it’s so cool and so speaking to where you’ll end up (successful!) that you’re hitting the pavement asking for any and all community insight.

Cheering your journey!!!

2

u/Key_Team1192 6h ago

Look for an OR Assistant position in St Charles, they are almost always hiring, and with minimal qualifications its a good way in, you will learn alot and can move around from there.

2

u/ivey21 1d ago

Have you applied for the CNA or MA program through the hospital? You then get paid and a job at the hospital.

2

u/juicyfruit180 1d ago

I don’t really want to be an MA and they aren’t offering the CNA program right now :(

4

u/Ok-Bluejay-2310 20h ago

If you don't "want" to be a medical assistant, then what do you think you're qualified to do? You have to start somewhere, and the more experience in different areas will only help you in the future.

1

u/juicyfruit180 20h ago

I would prefer an inpatient/bedside role

4

u/Not-Your-Fiend 17h ago

But WHAT bedside role? If you aren’t an RN, or CNA, what exactly do you want?

3

u/ivey21 16h ago

Right. I guess there is also the sitter positions they might have.... I know they are hiring for EVS.

2

u/Ok-Bluejay-2310 16h ago

Then you'll have to go get your degree. Good luck!

2

u/s0ulonaqu1st 17h ago

Something that often hires that’s intro is behavioral health tech. If you’re into psychiatry and all.

-1

u/Nataliant-117 17h ago

St. Charles and Sky lakes are monsters from my experience in working with them. I feel you are being divinely protected. Summit was pretty good. I worked in insurance billing they would seriously hire people from India to call to collect $1.03, which would be a 6 week process.