COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Resources Department

San Mateo Medical Center

 

DATE:

February 26, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 13, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Donna Vaillancourt, Human Resources Director

Nancy Steiger, Chief Executive Officer, San Mateo Medical Center

SUBJECT:

Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) – Establishing the Pediatric On-Call Rate of Pay

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD).

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.

 

BACKGROUND:

In May 2003, you authorized an MOU with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). Section 9 of the MOU established an on-call rate for Psychiatrists, but not an on-call rate for Pediatric Medicine. The on-call rate of pay for Pediatricians was kept at the $10.00 per hour amount paid under a now-defunct Individual Practice Association (IPA) Agreement.

The San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) maintains a small number of inpatient pediatric beds and provides a 24-hour Emergency Room. In addition, SMMC pediatricians evaluate all cases of pediatric child and sexual abuse. These crucial services require the availability of an on-call pediatrician on nights and weekends, but due to the low on-call rate, these night and weekend on-call shifts have become increasingly hard to fill. In addition, California state licensing regulations require hospitals providing pediatric inpatient services to have on-call pediatric services.

 

DISCUSSION:

The San Mateo Medical Center identified a need to amend the on-call and overtime provisions of the UAPD contract for Pediatricians, and received approval from the County Manager’s Office to meet and confer with UAPD representatives. Through these discussions, it was determined that increasing the on-call rate of pay should result in a larger pool of pediatricians who are willing to volunteer to take on-call assignments.

We have therefore reached agreement with UAPD on the following:

    a) Pediatricians assigned to be in on-call status shall be paid an hourly rate of Sixteen Dollars ($16.00) effective March 25, 2007. This on-call rate shall increase to Twenty Dollars ($20.00) effective July 1, 2007, and to Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) effective June 29, 2008.

    b) The call schedule for Pediatricians is defined as Weeknight call (15 hours) from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m., Weekend call (24 hours) from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m., and Holiday call (24 hours) from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

    c) Pediatricians shall receive a minimum of three (3) hours of call-back pay for if required to report back to work while in an on-call status.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

Currently, the cost of pediatric on-call is $65,810 per year for the hourly component (with additional variable expense for call-back work). With the increased rate, the increased cost of the on-call component for the remainder of fiscal year 2006-2007 will be approximately $9871, (with the variable expense for call-back work likely to be unchanged). This increase will be shared with the Human Services Agency under a joint Memorandum of Understanding that covers medical care and evaluation of child abuse and sexual abuse.