WATKINSVILLE, GA / ACCESS Newswire / August 12, 2025 / Human Resources Departments at rural hospitals carry a heavy load. Not only do they have to manage employee relations and administer benefits, they must oversee complex tasks, like complying with multiple state and federal regulations, which can sometimes change. Workforce challenges like recruiting and retention can be challenging, too-not just attracting nurses and other staff, but identifying what it is that makes employees want to stay, beyond the size of their paycheck.
Because of daily pressing issues, many rural hospitals have not been able to get to "back burner" projects either, like updating their HR technology, policies or practices. For instance, paper-based files like personnel records are still the norm at more than a few of these organizations, even though transitioning to electronic records would save countless hours in the long run.
Staff Cares, But Resources Are Limited
Dedicated Human Resources staff try their best to "do it all," but in rural hospitals the needs are often great, and the resources are often stretched wafer thin.
"Sometimes, it's one HR manager doing everything themselves. Other times, the issue isn't people power, but a lack of HR expertise," says Lindsay Ayers, Vice President of Human Resources for Aletheia Health Partners.
Variations in How Similar Tasks Are Handled
Aletheia is a strategic management firm that works primarily within rural healthcare. In this position, Ayers explains, the organization has not only helped turn around rural hospitals at risk of closure, but gained deep and broad insights into their operations, including the HR function.
"There are significant variations in how hospitals handle their HR function. For instance, although each hospital must follow the same regulations, each handles them quite differently," explains Ayers. "Another example is one hospital might have a requirement all employees must comply with to meet a regulatory requirement, but other hospitals do not even though they are subject to the same standards. We dig into these issues to understand what is happening and if their current process is compliant and following best practices."
Ayers also points out that in working with various hospitals, Aletheia has been able to witness how each handles day-to-day operations. While some have figured out efficiencies and gotten rid of certain redundancies, others have not been able to make similar progress on their own.
Reducing Burden While Gaining New Strengths
Leveraging these insights, identifying best practices and efficiencies, then building upon them, Aletheia has now expanded its Human Resources Services as a separate advisory function available to rural hospitals.
The team of HR Directors at Aletheia are available either on a project basis or in a comprehensive role, although Ayers points out that having Aletheia absorb a greater level of responsibility not only reduces burden on staff, but allows them to offer greater strategic insights into HR and ways to streamline and improve.
Just some examples of how Aletheia Human Resources Services can add value include:
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Aletheia can provide HR audits and policy updates to help hospitals stay ahead of compliance issues.
Recruiting & Retention Strategies: Aletheia can help refine hiring processes, build strong employee engagement programs and create competitive compensation structures.
Process Optimization & Digital Transformation: Aletheia can help modernize HR operations by transitioning paper-based documents, like personnel files, into a digital management system.
Hybrid Support Brings Benefits
With Aletheia's proven hybrid model of support, hospitals can have next-level HR expertise and support at a fraction of the cost of having these additional resources onsite full-time..
"We have deep experience in rural hospital HR, and are highly responsive and proactive. The reality is, most intimidating HR challenges that arise don't require the expert being on-site five days a week," says Ayers, "they require the right support and resources at the right time. Having our team of HR directors and consultants behind you not only is a strategic benefit, it offers peace of mind."
About Aletheia Health Partners
Aletheia Health Partners helps rural hospitals become solid and strong so they can focus on what matters most: patient care. As a community-focused hospital management company, Aletheia Health Partners provides management and operations service modules including human resources, revenue cycle management, and pharmacy services - all with the goal of creating a path for rural hospitals to remain sustainable for the communities they serve. To learn more, visit https://aletheiahp.com.
CONTACT:
706-389-9500
info@aletheiahp.com
SOURCE: Aletheia Health Partners
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire