For those in the healthcare industry, the recent cut in Chicago's health care job market hurts. Just this week, Vanguard Health Systems Inc announced it is eliminating 100 jobs at area hospitals. For those working there, finding a job in the Chicago job market is worrisome, though there may be other positions for those who wish to further education and training.

The News Isn't Good

The cuts in hospital jobs will occur at Weiss Memorial Hospital as well as three other area facilities. According to the company, it is necessary to make the cuts due to the weak economy and because of reductions that apply from Medicare fees. The three institutions on the West side facing cuts include West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn and Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park.

The cuts took place at the end of November. The man behind the cuts is the new president of the company, William Foley. He took on the hard task of turning around two facilities just obtained by Vanguard Health Systems Inc in August of 2010. This cost the company $45.3 million.

In total, the Vanguard Health Systems Inc does have a large presence in the area, with more than 1121 beds, which account for $4.9 billion in revenue for the previous year.

Good News

There is a bit of good news, though. Just announced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the City Colleges of Chicago Initiative would help to improve the education of those in the area, including in the area of healthcare. There are gaps in the number of qualified professionals in the healthcare industry in the area, and this program may help to cross train or promote education for those displaced workers in the Chicago job market.