FISCAL IMPACT:
Upon approval, this action has an annual cost of approximately $6,196 and the cost will be funded by Public Health Laboratory Testing Fees.
BACKGROUND:
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) regulates laboratory testings conducted in public health laboratories. CLIA requires that a public health laboratory must have a Laboratory Director who meets specific qualifications. In 1992, the CLIA changed the requirements of a Laboratory Director’s qualifications. All Directors employed at that time were grandfathered in when more stringent qualification requirements were adopted. Richard Alexander met the qualification requirements and has been Contra Costa County’s Director of Public Health Laboratory Services since 1998. In 2008, Mr. Alexander requested to be employed on a temporary basis and has been our Director of Public Health Laboratory Services since that time. This arrangement meets CLIA standards.
Richard Alexander will be retiring effective August 5, 2016 and he agreed to continue working as a temporary retiree once a month. In accordance with CLIA standards, Mr. Alexander will continue to ensure that our laboratory is meeting regulations when performing high complexity testing. Hiring back Mr. Alexander as a retiree on a temporary basis will provide the Department time to evaluate our needs, find a replacement and continue to meet CLIA requirements.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this action is not approved, the County’s Public Health Laboratory will be out of CLIA compliance.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not applicable.