By HOLLY GASKILL
Four job openings will be posted following a consensus from the Health Department board and County Commissioners.
The board met Thursday morning and the current understaffing status was the chief topic up for discussion. Currently, there are two open full-time positions out of the department’s four full-time positions. These open positions — administrator and environmental health specialist of the septic division — may be joined by two additional support positions in the department.
Marlene Hoag, who retired as administrator last year, returned in July to help fill the position in an interim capacity. Prior to her arrival, the department was several months behind on birth and death certificates and other recordkeeping. On Thursday, Hoag said she has caught up significantly but has been delayed due to septic issues, communicating with community members and other responsibilities.
Subsequently, Hoag said she did not think a combined septic and administrative position would work, as had been suggested by Commissioner Jeff Stringer to the Wells County Council on Aug. 8. Hoag advised she had not been able to advertise anything for the open positions because there had been differing opinions about the job postings.
“It’s probably going to pigeon-hole one person into two jobs,” agreed board member Steve Bales. “And that’s not going to happen.”
Stringer and fellow Commissioner Blake Gerber were both present for the meeting.
Hoag additionally communicated she would like to see the department hire two additional support staff — one to support administrative duties and one to support the public health nurse. Hoag emphasized that either of these areas is of high importance and workload, and the department suffers when there’s no one there to assist or fill in as needed.
“Public health doesn’t stop,” Hoag said.
Hoag also noted that the new septic position needs to be coordinated with the Regional Sewer District.
Stringer directed Hoag to move forward with all four job postings to at least see what interest they could garner. He stated the commissioners would work with the county council to acquire funding to make the Health Department successful. “This is the most important thing right now,” Stringer said. Stringer also suggested the department partner with a recruiter.
“We realize that the health department’s been neglected for a while, and that’s how we ended up to where we’re at right now,” Stringer added. “So when you guys have requests, I don’t care whether it’s in the funding right now, make those requests — we’re going to help the Health Department out.”
Stringer then stated it’s necessary to change public perception of the Health Department for both recruiting employees and engaging with the community.
“And we’ve got to have support from all of the commissioners,” Bales said.
“I could say the same thing back to you guys,” Stringer replied. “We need the support from the board, the same support from Dr. (Kay) Johnson.” He then referenced the issues with leadership, noting communication issues with Health Officer Dr. Kay Johnson, who attended Thursday morning’s meeting remotely.
Alongside this, the board decided not to enroll in state funding through Health First Indiana. Opinions on the subject were mixed among the board, commissioners and department staff present.
Public Health Nurse Lynn Blevins stated the department meets many of the standards already but would need to provide documentation. Stringer, however, stated the department needed to focus on staffing. Bales added that the department didn’t have a plan for these funds. Chris Esterling echoed both of these sentiments.
The department may have the opportunity to opt-in to the funding in 2024.
Separately, Hoag informed the Centers for Disease Control had awarded the Wells County Health Department a grant of over $30,000 for immunizations. Blevins said they plan to use the funds to replace the vaccine fridge, travel coolers and possibly electronic medical records.
In closing, the health board determined a need to meet before their next scheduled meeting, Oct. 19. The board agreed to meet at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, in the meeting room of the Wells County Annex. Johnson was unable to confirm her availability for the meeting.
Five of six board members were present — Esterling, Bales, Tom Longenberger, Molly Hoag and Ann McNabb were present and Mary Donley was absent.
holly@news-banner.com
