Human Resources professionals are the first touchpoint of every healthcare organization: they set up interviews with newcomers, help current employees learn to navigate the workplace, and are often the heart behind many fun community events that let people learn about their company.

To learn more about HR and how these amazing individuals make a difference each day, we interviewed two outstanding affiliated professionals: Pamela Zahratka, Payroll/HR Coordinator at Greene Health and Rehab Center, and Melody Evancho, Human Resources Director at Mountain City Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Check out this amazing interview!

“You never know what the day’s going to hold, but if you work as a team, you can accomplish anything,” Zahratka said.

Pictured are Pamela Zahratka (left) and Melody Evancho (right)

“It is truly an honor to be affiliated with Saber Healthcare Group. We have a great support system in the HR department, and I never feel like I have to figure out anything alone,” Evancho said. “Whether it is an HR issue, Payroll, Benefits, Workers Compensation – there is always someone available who is knowledgeable and experienced to provide guidance. I am truly grateful for that.”

Tell us about yourself

“I am married and have two children. I have two grandsons. I am going to be 64 in April, and I’ve been working in this field for 21 years,” Zahratka told us.

“I am married with a son just out of college and a daughter finishing senior year, about to go into college. They are 21 and 18 years old,” Evancho said.

What is your background in your career?

“I have been at Mountain City for 22 years now, starting as a CNA and working my way up. I was a Nursing Scheduler for a brief time. I tried Payroll and Accounts Payable while assisting the HR director. I was promoted to my current role in 2021 and handle all of HR/payroll,” Evancho explained.

“When I started my career, I was a medical transcriptionist. During that time, I was taking classes for medical coding and billing and eventually accepted a job in 2005 at a nursing facility. After a month, I applied for the Payroll/HR position there, and I’ve been in the field ever since! I joined Greene Health and Rehab Center in 2015, and I find this job exciting because I meet so many people. I consider many of the residents my second family, and I do love them,” Zahratka said.

When people apply at your facility, what do you look for in a resume?

“Longevity is the most important thing to me. When I look at a resume and I see multiple jobs and only a few months between, it makes me wonder what they’re looking for,” Zahratka said. “We also offer many benefits here, which is how we hope to interest many of the applicants who interview with us.”

“I look for job hopping as well as the reasons why someone left their former positions. How they describe their previous position is important, as well as how they respond to questions,” Evancho said.

What resume tips do you have for people looking for jobs right now?

“AI works wonders when creating a resume, but do not allow it to get too carried away to make you out to be something you are not,” Evancho said.

“Take the time to include all of your work history. Some people might list only one or two employers, but oftentimes rates are based on how many years of experience someone has. When you have it all listed on there, it will stick out to HR professionals and make me more likely to give you a call,” Zahratka said.

When you interview someone, what character traits do you look for?

“I look for individuals who are well spoken, feel confident in themselves, and engage in eye-to-eye contact. When they sit down, I just want them to have a conversation with me. I also like it when candidates are honest with me and explain their full work history and how they got here today,” Zahratka advised.

“I look at how someone presents themselves, from the way that they dress to eye contact,” Evancho answered. “You should be put together. I also look for honesty and sincerity in their responses.”

How do you ensure everyone is compliant with HIPAA and other state and federal regulations?

“We are big on the education and re-education of staff,” Evancho explained. “In our HR department, we have developed our own system for tracking expirations of Certifications, CPR and Professional Licenses, and I stick to it. I have daily to-do lists and use my desk calendar help me ensure that I do not miss any audits.”

“I complete the license verification as well as background checks.  The Monthly Relias training modules also ensure employees are compliant with regulations,” Zahratka explained.

What is your elevator pitch for someone to work at your facility?

“We have great teamwork at Greene Health and Rehab Center and enjoy showing our appreciation for our employees.  The management team works well together. We aim to schedule events every month involving employees and residents,” Zahratka told us.

“We have an Open Door Policy – the Administration & Department Heads are always available to answer any questions staff may have. If we don’t know the answer, we will find out. We also work with the Student Success Program, which helps people who are Saber affiliated employees apply for education opportunities in the healthcare field,” Evancho answered.

What methods do you use to find talent other than collecting resumes online?

“We have some good relationships with the schools and nursing programs in the area. We offer job fairs and community events at Mountain City Nursing and Rehab Center. We also host a large amount of community events to bring people here to interact with the staff and residents,” Evancho told us.

“We have attended job fairs as well as community events at other facilities.  We attend meetings at the local Vo-Tech school, who then brings their Nurse Aide students to Greene Health and Rehab Center to complete their clinical portion of the program,” Zahratka said.

Give us one positive memory since you joined your facility

“I’ve been at Greene Health and Rehab Center for eleven years, and there is never a dull moment. Over the years, Nursing Home Week has held a lot of fun and crazy memories.  If it brings a smile to a resident’s face, it is worth all the hard work put into these events,” Zahratka said.

“I’ve met so many fantastic people over the years, both staff and residents. I love to help people!” Evancho said.