Provider Recruitment

Why would I love living in this community?

Our community offers a strong sense of belonging for those who are looking for a different way of life, leaving the pace of urban living behind. This is a great place to raise your family in a very safe, small-town environment where relationships are authentic, and quality of living is high. You will find a vibrant, active community focused on great schools, small class sizes and excellent education as well as arts and theater opportunities.

Would I have easy access to shopping?

Absolutely!  We are very conveniently located only 30 minutes from the Brainerd Lakes area with access to major retailers, shopping and restaurants. Located only two hours from Minneapolis/St. Paul and one hour from Duluth, this area is close enough for an easy day trip to take in a major sporting event, shopping, theaters or a fun weekend get-away.

Our communities offer vibrant businesses. Meet your friends at your favorite coffee shop or internet café, get a pedicure, make a lunch date and spend the afternoon browsing the fun shops.

Delivery drivers know the area and are great at delivering all your online purchases.

Large locally owned grocery stores offer a wide variety of produce and organic foods to meet most dietary needs. You may purchase fresh, locally grown produce at area Farmers Markets or at a local organic foods store. There’s a local apple orchard in the area plus berry picking farms.

What would I find most challenging about living in a smaller rural community?

Small town living offers its own unique challenges, which may include sacrificing a small amount of convenience in exchange for more peaceful living and a higher quality of life.

While there are fewer restaurant and eating out options, there are plenty of festivals and social events offering great food and entertainment. The annual fish house parade and chili cook-off, Wild Rice Days with all-you-can-eat corn on the cob, and Hunters Suppers to name a few.

With fewer distractions, it’s easier to focus on more time with family and friends – dinner parties, home-cooked meals, and cooking classes through community ed.

Our north woods area is home to several high-quality arts and cultural venues. While you won’t have access to concerts featuring superstars, local casinos feature some prominent musicians who tour nationally.  Live classical music is within an hour’s drive at the Lakes Area Musical Festival in Brainerd or the Itasca Symphony at the Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids, which features some big-name pop music stars through the year.

We invite you to visit and check out this beautiful and vibrant area. We love it here and hope you will too!

What are the seasons really like “up north”?

If you are an outdoor enthusiast, this is the place to be!  Whatever the season, we live and play outdoors.

Summer – There is only one word for summers spent up north…magical! Summers are full of community festivals, hours spent swimming, fishing and boating. Enjoy evenings watching Little League, with an ice cream cone by the river. This is where our community shines.

Fall – There is nothing like a Friday night hometown football game cuddled up under layers of fleece and flannel, stories told around campfires, and afternoons spent hunting, bird watching, and taking long walks through a forest alive with color.

Winter – If you enjoy a genuine snow season and all of the fun that goes along with it, this is the place for you!  Up north winter activities may include high school wrestling, dance and basketball games; snowmobiling, skiing and snowboarding trips; or afternoons full of ice fishing, sledding and ice skating. We bundle up in down parkas and have fun. Do you need an SUV or 4-wheel drive to live here? Not required, but often a good idea!

Spring – Yes, we all get a little bit of cabin fever as spring approaches. On the first 40-degree day, windows are open and lunch breaks are spent outside walking and enjoying the sunshine! Or some tap trees for maple syrup. If you have never tasted fresh maple syrup, add this to your list when you move up north!

Riverwood staff has identified five values that we use every day as guidelines in our interactions with our patients and with each other.

Integrity Compassion Adaptability Respect Excellence           ICARE with Joy

Excellence

We are committed to striving for excellence in all we do. It is our vision to be the region’s preferred health system providing exceptional care.

• I will lead by setting a positive example.
• I will make excellence the goal in everything I do.
• I will work to create a safe environment and will report any incidents immediately, knowing I can do so without fear of retribution.
• I will take pride in our facility.
• I will follow through on what I promise and take responsibility for my actions.
• I will use time productively.
• I will be an advocate for my patients, co-workers and the organization.
• I will be proactive vs. reactive.
• I will be open to change, possess a willingness to learn and embrace new ideas and innovation.
• I will look for ways to improve systems and processes.
• I will take ownership of my actions and decisions.

Teamwork

We will foster healthy and supportive relationships in the workplace through teamwork, respecting co-workers and recognizing personal contributions.

I will make teamwork a priority and work collaboratively to help others.

I will embrace a culture of equality and inclusion that encourages, supports, and celebrates diversity.

I will be inclusive to all and welcome new co-workers.

I will assume the best about my co-workers and their intentions.

I will work to resolve conflicts in a professional manner.

I will show appreciation for my co-workers.

I will speak well of my co-workers, medical staff and our organization.

I will promote the strength of my co-workers, recognizing their contributions.

Communication

We will demonstrate effective communication with our patients, their families, and co-workers to ensure a common understanding; in order to provide high quality, compassionate and personalized care

I will be respectful, professional and positive in my communication.

I will acknowledge everyone in our facilities by making eye contact, greeting them, and offering assistance as needed.

I will use AIDET + The Promise in every interaction (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explain, Thank you, Promise).

I will strive to listen first and seek to understand what the other person is saying.

I will seek in person communication and commit to speaking directly with someone when possible.

Patient Experience

We will strive to provide exceptional customer service with respect, compassion and integrity. We will treat patients as they want to be treated.

I will speak clearly and explain procedures in a way that is understandable to my patient and their family.

I will take time to answer questions from my patient and their family.

I will address service shortfalls with a sincere apology and work to make it right.

I will respect patient privacy, treating patients with dignity and compassion.

I will respect the diversity of cultural and religious beliefs, recognizing how they may impact views of healthcare and interactions.

I will practice empathy by putting myself in the other person’s shoes.

I will anticipate and be attentive to the needs to those we serve.