County: health center turnover slows
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 01:15 p.m., March 27, 2008
Updated 01:15 p.m., March 27, 2008
The Flint Hills Community Health Center’s turnover rate in 2007 was slightly less than 2006, Lyon County commissioners learned during their Wednesday meeting.
Lougene Marsh, executive director of the community health center, told commissioners in her year-end report that the turnover rate for employees for 2007 was 11.7 percent, which is slightly lower than 2006.
“We always like to see a turnover rate that is as low as can be because of the cost of recruiting, selecting and training,” Marsh said. “Something you’re going to be seeing from us very shortly is some proposed ideas for a strategic plan, and recruitment and retention are going to be in that plan. We just want to do even better (with) that.”
Marsh also told commissioners that the Emporia Refugee Resettlement Alliance is a model for what a community should do in response to refugees coming into the community, such as when Tyson Fresh Meats brought in refugees. She said the example set by the alliance and the health center was exemplary, especially during TB testing.
“That was excellent public health work,” she said.
Marsh said the health center has been working to recruit more dentists in preparation for the dental clinic expansion, which is set to begin this spring.
“We believe we may be very close with a couple of candidates,” she said. “I’m certainty not prepared to say ‘we have them hired,’”
There are lessons the health center has learned with the recruitment process, Marsh said.
“With health care professionals, you really can’t wait until you know you have someone leaving your organization to begin the recruitment process,” she said. “One of our board members thinks we need to start talking to our high school counselors. ...”
Marsh said it’s important to bring people in early and bring attention to the community health center rather than waiting to see if any personnel in residency programs haven’t signed on to any organizations. She added that most third-year residents have also signed on somewhere.
“I think those are elements that you will see in our future recruitment plan,” she said “It can’t be ‘oh my goodness, I need a doctor, lets see who in the residence program hasn’t signed a contract. ...’”
County Controller Dan Slater asked Marsh if she could anticipate the financial picture for the health center for next year.
“My crystal ball is a little cloudy right now,” Marsh said, adding that they won’t even begin to know until next quarter, especially in regard to the impact of the Tyson Fresh Meats layoff in January. “... Some of this we may not even see until after the school year is over. We’ve heard that (some) families are staying until the end of the school year. The uncertainty is a reality for all of us.”
If former Tyson employees leave the community and the services at the community health center, Marsh said it is a double loss for the health center — a loss in financial compensation for employees and a loss in the number of patients they serve.
Marsh also talked about the economic impact of WIC checks in Lyon County. She said more than $800,000 WIC checks are given to clients in Lyon County. The vouchers can be used to purchase food eligible on the nutrition program.
“My guess most of those food dollars are spent right here in Lyon County,” Marsh said. “So that’s a good thing.”
In other business:
• Commissioners heard a presentation from Deb Crowl and Vanessa Apodaca, of the Lyon County Early Childhood Task Force, regarding April being Month of the Young Child. Several activities are planned throughout the month geared to young children and their families.
• Commissioners discussed a request for use of tools from the Highway Department for the Peter Pan playground project, which will be building a new playground next month.