FAMILY HEALTH CENTER INC
Grant: $263,771 - Health Resources and Services Administration - Mar. 23, 2009
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Award Description: ARRA - Increased Services to Health Centers. The IDS Grant funding has enabled the Family Health Center, Inc.(FHC) to hire nine new employees and retain one employee. The positions provide for four full-time employees and six part-time employees. As of September 30, 2009, all positions are filled. The IDS Grant has also allowed for the provision of Specialized Physicians in our Extended Hours Clinic. Prior to the IDS Grant funding, the extended hours were staffed by General Nurse Practitioners. FHC is afforded the ability to add specialized physicians, and thereby enhance the services available during extended hours. These services accommodate emergency cases and also patients who are unable to schedule appointments during the normal daytime hours because of their work schedule. The FHC's extended hours also provides a means of service for individuals who are triaged as non-critical cases at the local hospital ER and not seen for inability to pay. The IDS Grant provided funding to add lighted signage to the facility so the provision for extended hours services are clearly visible to the public. In 2008 FHC lost an OB/GYN provider and in 2009 a second OB/GYN provider was lost as a result FHC has lost 2 full time nurses and support staff hours were reduced. Due to the loss of two OB/GYN physicians the entire suite had been shut down. As a result FHC has lost 17 deliveries a month and 400 encounters per month. The IDS funds have enhanced the Dental Department by alloying the hiring of an extra Dental Assistant to improve patient flow and increase services to patients in a more timely manner.
Project Description: Three permanent part-time employees were hired to staff the Extended Hours Operations. The three positions include a Receptionist/Cashier/Coder, LPN, and Nurses Aid. These personnel assist the Physicians & Nurse Practitioners and in patient registration. The IDS Grant Funds have provided for lighted signage on the building to make Extended Hours clearly noticeable after dusk. The specialist Physicians that rotate during Extended Hours have added 330 Encounters/213 patients during the period, of which 65 are non-insured. The OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner hired with IDS funds has generated 678 encounters and 564 patients , of which 232 encounters and 83 patients are not insured; 324 PAP Smears and other procedures have been performed, although the NP was out 6 weeks for maternity leave. This area of the OB/GYN department had been shut down due to loss of two OB/GYN Physicians. Opening the department also opened jobs for an LPN and Nurse Aid to assist the Nurse Practitioner. The LPN was retained due to IDS funds and the Nurse Aid is a new hire. These jobs are essential to patient care. A part-time employee has been added to the Billing and Insurance Department. This has enhanced the collection and billing procedures. The department had been reduced by one person in April 2008. The hiring of an extra Dental Assistant has increased patient flow in the dental department. It is estimated that 140 additional patients have been seen in the period due to efficient patient flow, of which 33 are non-insured. A Courier Driver was hired in August 2009 to assist in managing the satellite clinics. The Driver has been essential in expanding the pharmacy services to these areas and also coordinating operation. A Security Officer was hired in July 2009 who also heads Safety & Compliance. This position had been left unfilled for about two years due to funding.
Jobs Summary: The following jobs have been created as a result of the IDS Grant funding, resulting in nine new employees hired and one employee retained. Two part-time job positions are being filled with one employee. FT = Full Time and PT = Part Time positions. 1) FT-Courier Driver FT; 2) FT-Security Officer; 3) PT-Receptionist/Cashier/Coder; 4) PT -Accounts Receivable Collection Clerk; 5) FT-Dental Assistant; 6) PT-Nurse Practitioner GYN Specialty; 7) PT-LPN for OB/GYN Dept.; 8) PT-LPN for Extended Hours Operations; 9) PT-CNA for OB/GYN Dept.; 10) PT-CNA for Extended Hours Operations 11) PT-RN for Prenatal Care & High Risk Pregnancy Program. The total Project includes funding from third party sources such as Medicaid, Medicare, Insurance Self-pay generated by the jobs being filled. These funds provide for partial jobs expense. All of the above jobs are all filled as of September 30, 2009. However, the jobs have been filled gradually since the grant award. The equivalent grant funded FTE's are 3.96 for this reporting period. (Total jobs reported: 4)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Mar. 23, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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