RECOMMENDATION(S): (CONT'D)
In the past six months, the Department has experienced a number of resignations from primary care physicians and this loss can be supplemented by Family Nurse Practitioners who can provide primary care to individuals and families in Family Practice clinics and case management to complex, high-risk patients in Specialty clinics. Under medical direction, nurse practitioners identify health status of patients by performing physical examinations and initiate appropriate diagnostic and screening tests, provide pre-natal and post-partum follow-up for mother and child, manage chronic illnesses including diabetes, congestive heart failure, arthritis, hypertension and obstructive pulmonary diseases.
The Department is challenged in filling these three vacancies given the minimum number of position hours. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the position hours in order to recruit and retain nurse practitioners.
The positions are assigned to the Ambulatory Health Centers, which generate funds from Medi-Cal/FQHC.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Upon approval, this action will result in an annual cost of approximately $513,711.00, including $115,993.00 in pension costs, and will be fully funded via FQHC revenues.
BACKGROUND:
The Health Services Department is requesting to increase the hours of three (3) vacant permanent part-time Family Nurse Practitioner (VWSB) positions #8750 (2/40), #7477 (4/40) and #8550 (4/40) to permanent full-time at salary level L35 1873 ($8,147.67 - $9,903.54) in the Health Services Department.
In the past six months, the Department has experienced a number of resignations from primary care physicians and this loss can be supplemented by Family Nurse Practitioners who can provide primary care to individuals and families in Family Practice clinics and case management to complex, high-risk patients in Specialty clinics. Under medical direction, nurse practitioners identify health status of patients by performing physical examinations and initiate appropriate diagnostic and screening tests, provide pre-natal and post-partum follow-up for mother and child, manage chronic illnesses including diabetes, congestive heart failure, arthritis, hypertension and obstructive pulmonary diseases.
The Department is challenged in filling these three vacancies given the minimum position hours. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the position hours in order to recruit and retain nurse practitioners.
The positions are assigned to Family Practice and Specialty Clinics at the Health Centers, which generate funds from Medi-Cal/FQHC.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this action is not approved, the Department will not have adequate staffing to provide primary care in Family Practice clinics and case management in Specialty clinics, which negatively impacts direct patient care services.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not applicable.