Cleveland, OhioFor many years, Neighborhood Family Practice (NFP) has followed a wage/compensation philosophy that assures competitive pay practices with the external market.  To maintain external competitiveness, management reviews the wages for key positions at comparable organizations, both hospitals and other health centers, on a regular basis.

Recently, NFP leadership and board members including its finance committee discussed wage structure in response to recent market changes. They made the decision to raise staff minimum compensation with the goal of achieving a minimum wage for all staff of $15 per hour by July 2020.

Jean Polster, RN, MS, president and chief executive officer of Neighborhood Family Practice (NFP), announced the decision to NFP staff recently, stating “Our workforce is our most valuable resource, and it is all of you who make this organization a place we can all be proud to work.

Polster explained that existing pay rates in specific staffing levels of $12 per hour would immediately be increased to $14 per hour, with a second increase to $14.50 per hour in January 2020, and a third increase to $15 per hour in July 2020.

“Consistent with our practices when we give raises, those in the lower end of the range of the wage scale will receive the largest percentage increase to move the ranges in a way that assures internal fairness and equity,” says Polster. “These increases will have an upward effect on more than 75 NFP employees and reflect our dedication to our incredible team and everything they do to make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our patients and our community.”

About Neighborhood Family Practice

Founded in 1980 in response to a concern that residents of Cleveland’s near west side lacked access to primary health care, NFP focuses on providing high quality primary care in the patient’s neighborhood setting. Today, its six public transit friendly locations offer same day appointments to a service area that spans twelve neighborhoods across Cleveland’s west side and is comprised of a highly diverse mix of residents. Accredited by The Joint Commission and designated as a Primary Care Medical Home, Level 3, by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, Neighborhood Family Practice provides primary care, women’s health and midwifery services, behavioral health, dental and case management appointments to more than 19,000 patients at its combined locations. www.nfpmedcenter.org