Health Department continues struggle with understaffing
By HOLLY GASKILL
Little progress has been made on understaffing in the Wells County Health Department, reported interim administrator Marlene Hoag.
In a health board meeting Thursday morning, Hoag said she’s only received a few applications between the four posted roles —administrator, environmental specialist in the septic division, medical assistant and vital records assistant. The medical assistant and vital records assistant are advertised as part-time.
Since the board’s last meeting, the Health Department has also lost an employee working part-time with vital records and assisting the public. These responsibilities now solely fall on Hoag, who has also been partially handling septic items in addition to administrative duties. Hoag had filled an administrative and vital records role before her retirement in 2022, and she returned as interim in June to assist the short-handed staff.
The job openings, Hoag said, have been posted on every major platform and health job boards. She advised she had also contacted Ivy Tech Community College.
Board member Steven Bales asked if Hoag had made any moves on utilizing a job recruiter, which Commissioner Jeff Stringer had previously mentioned. Hoag said she had not heard from Stringer regarding a recruiter, and Commissioner Blaker Gerber, who was present, said he had not heard anything either.
“You might find someone outside of what you’re thinking as the health network, so to speak,” said board member Molly Hoag. “I think (a recruiter) is the big one that we really want to get moving,” added board member Chis Easterling.
Upon recommendation from the board, Marlene Hoag said she would contact other area colleges with the job openings. Several board members also requested the URL addresses for the postings be sent to them so they could distribute them within their networks.
Public Health Nurse Lynn Blevins asked if the postings had competitive salaries, and Hoag said they were comparable to neighboring health departments but not the private sector.
Regarding septic issues, Hoag said she’s encountered an influx of requests as people reach out in advance to combat delays. Joe Rakoczy from the Indiana Department of Health has also been assisting with septic once a week.
Meanwhile, Hoag will not be in office during Ossian Days, Sept. 14-16, and has been working on permits. She said they’re also preparing for the Bluffton Street Fair, Sept. 19-23, when they’ll need to give over 70 permits. Ryan Bennett, environmental specialist in the food division, will be out monitoring conditions during that week as well.
Blevins then reported that the department would soon carry the newest flu and COVID-19 vaccines but has not heard the cost. He added that he has been fully booked with vaccination appointments, as parents are notified which vaccinations are still needed.
A vaccination clinic, Molly Hoag shared, will be offered by the Indiana Immunization Coalition from 4-7 p.m. on Oct. 2 at the 4-H Fairgrounds. The Council on Aging has also advertised “save-the-date” information for a vaccination clinic on Oct. 12.
Additionally, at 7 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the fairgrounds, guest speaker duo “Cody and John Speak” will share their addiction stories and information about drug prevention. Information about how to get involved in drug prevention will be available at 6 p.m. Blevins noted he would be giving Naloxone demonstrations where people can receive their own to carry.
All board members were present for the meeting. The next health board meeting is at 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 19, however, the board discussed holding another meeting earlier should there be progress on applications.
holly@news-banner.com
