The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 114, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 23, 1989 Page: 3 of 24
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Thursday. Nov. 23 1989 The Albany News — Page 3 A
Board studies personnel policy
By Carol Lackey
Hospital district directors dis-
cussed changes in the personnel
policy, an insurance plan and
future plans for the Shackelford
County Hospital during the regu-
lar November meeting Monday
afternoon.
Hospital employee ^lenda San-
ders, L.V.N., was present at the
meeting to discuss the hospital's
personnel policy, and to request a
raise in salary.
The directors had initially dis-
cussed Sanders' situation several
months ago, but the matter was
tabled. Last month, Sanders re-
quested that the item be put back
on the agenda.
Sanders has been employed by
the local hospital several times,
and most recently began work in
April, 198ft. She asked the direc-
tors to raise her salary to equal
that of other L.V.N.s at the hospi-
tal.
Prior to a recent seven percent
raise that hospital directors gave
all employees, the range of L.V.N,
salaries was from $6 to $7.32. The
base pay is now $0.42 per hour,
following the raise.
Hospital board president Billie
Wooldridge told the board that
L.V.N, salaries at other small
area hospitals range from $6.30 to
$7 per hour.
Sanders, who now is paid $6.42
per hour following the raise, told
directors she would like "at least
$7 per hour."
The hospital's personnel policy
states that raises are given at the
discretion of the board, and that a
yearly evaluation is conducted.
According to the by-laws, raises
are based on seniority, as well as
job performance and other cri-
teria.
"I don't feel that we can single
out any one person to receive a
raise that would equal that of
those who have been here a num-
ber of years," said Wooldridge.
"Menda does have previous ex-
perience with us, and that would
be a difference," said Dr. L.S.
Key, director. "We would have to
change the policy to give her a
raise, but she is quite capable and
willing to help."
"The way it is now, employees
who have been here and have
stayed with us are rewarded for
staying," added Dr. J.E. Mikeska,
also a director. "However, there
is something to be said for what
Dr. Key is saying."
Hospital Administrator Nick
Shankles told the board that a
policy change could not be made
at this meeting. "We have to
place that item on the agenda. It
is also advisable for an attorney
to word the policy," he said.
"Nobody likes these decisions,"
said Jeff Jones, director. "How-
ever, it is my inclination to leave
the policy the way it is. When you
start working with exceptions, it
sometimes snowballs."
Shankles agreed that giving
Sanders a raise would have a "rip-
pling effect" on employees that
have been with the hospital for a
long time.
"I'm concerned that if we make
an exception for Menda, there
will be at least seven more em-
ployees in here banging on the
table for a raise," Shankles said.
"As long as I've been here, the
district has never given merit
raises or made exceptions."
Sanders stated that she didn't
think it would bother other
L.V.N.S if she received a raise. "I
don't think they would care — we
all do the same job," she said.
"I like the incentive of en-
couraging a person to stay with
us," added Jones. "I do under-
stand that there are always ex-
tenuating circumstances."
Sanders told the board that she
feels the personnel policy is only
used for L.V.N.s, and not R.N.s. "I
know of one R.N. that came to
work recently, and had her salary
raised 50 cents to equal what
another 12-year R.N. was mak-
ing," she said.
Shankles explained to the
board that the hospital "has to
hire registered people at what-
ever the going rate is. Our policy
may not be the best — but it is
workable."
"I believe that your supervi-
sors—the hospital administrator
and head of nursing —should
make these calls and take care of
any conflicts such as this," said
Jones. "I'm comfortable with
them making the decision."
Jones suggested that the ad
ministrator should come to the
board with a request that certain
employees be given raises.
"I was told to come to the board
to ask for a raise, because they
are the only ones that can grant a
raise," she said.
Mikeska agreed that the ad-
ministrator or a supervisor
should make the evaluations —not
the board of directors.
"Do we have no recourse by
coming to the board?" Sanders
asked. "I believe in seniority, but
I believe there other ways in our
policy to get raises."
Jones explained that he hesi-
tated changing the system.
Wooldridge added that she and
other board members wish to
leave the policy as it is.
Sanders told the directors she
felt that she had been treated
"unfairly and unjustly. I have not
seen you be fair to employees in
this situation," she said.
Key suggested that Sanders
bring her supervisor to the next
meeting, but she responded that
she "did not think it would do any
good."
The board advised Shankles to
place the item on the agenda for
next meeting. The board hesitat-
ed to make any decision on the
matter because of the absence of
directors Clarence Waller, Pam
Shoemaker and Wayne Gray.
Benefits Plus
Joneg requested that the board
discuss the Benefits Plus health
insurance plan which is offered by
the West Central Texas Oil and
Gas Association.
Several months ago, a Benefits
Plus representative attended a
meeting to discuss the program,
which would offer incentives to
people who are covered by Bene-
fits Plus who use the local hospi-
tal.
The hospital would be required
to pay a one-time charge of $1,000,
and would give five percent dis-
counts to patients who are cov-
ered by this insurance.
The directors hesitated earlier,
and asked legal advice from the
hospital's attorney, Loren Will-
iams.
Shankles reported that Will-
iams thought the program would
be legal.
"I understand that about 265 in-
dividuals in Albany are covered
by this health insurance, and peo-
ple have asked me if this hospital
is going to participate," Jones
said. "I personally think we may
be hurting ourselves by not par-
ticipating. I think it would be a
good thing for us."
Mikeska brought up several
points to consider, including the
fact that some of the insureds
work for some of the biggest tax
payers in the county.
"We would also be making ex-
ceptions, however. Even with 265
people covered by this insurance,
that leaves many more people in
the county that do not have this
insurance," he said. "We would
also be paying $1,000 for the
'privilege' to give a five percent
discount. Our occupancy rate is so
low, I don't know how many peo-
ple would use this hospital, and
whether it would help."
"The bottom line is — is it an
advantage?" Mikeska asked.
Jones stated that he did not
think the hospital's "bottom line"
would be affected. "This force is
out there, and it is a novel idea,"
Jones said. "I think we'll see more
of it in the future, but I do realize
that people will probably use
whatever hospital they want."
Shankles stated that he was
concerned about patients not en
rolled in the insurance program.
"Will they get a chance for the
discount?"
Mikeska suggested that the
program be placed on next
month's agenda when more direc-
tors would be able to give their in-
put.
Other Business
A plan of action for the future
concerns Jones, and he encour
aged other directors to begin
thinking about what the years to
come will bring for the local hospi-
tal.
"We need a plan of action for
when we reach the end of our sur
plus funds," said Jones. "Maybe
we'll get some positive legislation
that will help us, but I'm not hold-
ing my breath. I think we're mak
ing a mistake by not addressing
this issue."
Shankles explained that sever-
al options for the hospital are "in
the works" and are now being
compiled.
The board also discussed the
county's disaster plan, and
Shankles reported that he is satis-
fied with the role that the hospi-
tal will play in case of an emergen
cy.
"During a recent automobile
wreck, I called for more nurses,
and two came to work immediate-
ly," Mikeska said.
"We now have extra ECAs
(emergency care attendants),"
Jones said. "Do they know what
to do?"
Jones also suggested that since
emergency care seems to be an in-
tegral part of the hospital, per
haps an EMT (emergency medical
technician) course should be spon
sored.
"Would it be worth sponsoring
the next level of training -
EMT?" Jones asked. "This would
improve our level of care, and an
investment in manpower may be
the best investment we can ever
make."
James H. Cotter with Cotter,
Neff and Co. presented the hospi
tal's financial statement to the
directors, which showed a loss of
$14,909.35 for the month, com
pared to a gain of $5,204.79 for the
same period last year.
The year-to-date loss is
$161,857.79, according to the re-
port. "If you add in bad debts and
depreciation of about $62,000, you
will see what our actual cash loss
is. This can all be attributed to
low occupancy," Cotter said. "Our
loss for the year is about $90,000."
Cotter stated that the
hospital's expenses have re-
mained "in line."
The hospital's October occupancy
rate was seven percent, compared
to 12 percent in 1988. Eighteen pa-
tients were treated during October.
CONGRATULATIONS
Albany
Lions!
BI-DISTRICT
"The Pride is Back"
and we encourage everyone
to show support for the
Lions as they progress
into the State Play-offs!
WE'RE PROUD
OF YOU!
ALBANY ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB
I
1
# *4^ -Ik
Thanksgiving
reminders. . .
•Mthi i^h it sometimes seems that
Thanksgiving "slips through the
(racks between Halloween and
( hristmas several groups are
around to remind Albany residents
>t the holiday's meaning. Local
third graders have done their share,
performing their special Thanksgiv-
ing program 'top photo) a total of
three times most recently for parti-
cipants in the county nutrition pro
ject at the local Youth Center.
Members ot the Lioness Club tul-
t'.iied their annual tradition ot'
delivering Thanksgiving Friendship
baskets Heiping to prepare 110 of
t -i iskets were flower photo, l-r)
Hub1 ov Viae Reames Mice
kr. Pat Henrichson and Dee
Ba1 rtw [Staff Photos]
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Lucas, Donnie A. The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 114, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 23, 1989, newspaper, November 23, 1989; Albany, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth393348/m1/3/: accessed July 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Old Jail Art Center.