COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

San Mateo Medical Center

DATE:

October 20, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 4, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sang-ick Chang, MD, Chief Executive Officer of the San Mateo Medical Center

SUBJECT:

San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) Ambulatory Services

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt an ordinance amending the salary ordinance adding and deleting various positions at San Mateo Medical Center in order to accomplish the following objectives:

1. Change the clinical staff structure of Willow Clinic to operate more efficiently in response to the expansion of services.

2. Maintain a neutral or favorable impact on cost and position count.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

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

BACKGROUND:

The 2008-2009 budget for Willow Clinic included targeted growth in both volume and revenue through productivity improvements, general efficiency, and specific redesign initiatives. Willow Clinic is consistently meeting these challenges with the expansion of health care services for primary care and pediatrics.

DISCUSSION:

To maintain the clinic’s level of efficiency, we are requesting one (1) full-time Patient Services Specialist (PSS) to provide complex and specialized patient services and office support to administrative and clinical staff. This position would also serve as staff/patient liaison to assist patients during this complex transition by administering Quarterly Patient Satisfaction Surveys to ensure services are on par with patient needs as they relate to access, engagement and services. Additionally, this position is a power user of the Ambulatory Electronic Medical Record (AEMR) system and will therefore be providing training and trouble shooting for providers and staff in the use of AEMR.

Below is a summary of the requested personnel changes for Ambulatory Services:

Delete: One (1) FTE Patient Services Assistant II (E412) position.

Add: One FTE Patient Services Specialist (E414) position.

Explanation: Maintain the clinic’s level of efficiency in providing programs services.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This add and delete action represents a monthly salary and benefits cost of $822.00 or an annual cost of $9,864. The net cost of this add/delete will be off-set by savings with the deletion of Clinical Laboratory Tests Costs in the VA Sharing Agreement.