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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 September COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING VITAL STATISTICS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HEALTH EDUCATION JEFFERSON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 802 SHERIDAN PORT TOWNSEND, WASH. 98368 (206) 385.0722 HEALTH BOARD Minutes: September 15, 1987 BOARD MEMBERS: STAFF MEMBERS: Larry W. Dennison, Member Rick Miklich, Director of Environmental Health Mary Catlin, Administrator and Director of Nurses J. Peter Geerlofs, M. D., Health Officer B.G. Brown, Chairman George C. Brown, Member CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND REPRESENTATIVE: Glenn Ison *********************************************************************** ******************************************************************* The meeting was called to order at the appointed time by Chairman B.G. Brown. Commissioner Larry W. Dennison and Commissioner George C. Brown were present as well as Staff Members: Rick Miklich and Mary Catlin. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting of the August 18, 1987 were approved as corrected by motion of Commissioner Dennison, seconded by Commissioner George Brown. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: 1) Administrator's Job Description: Mary Catlin presented the draft job description for the Health Department Administrator. She explained that under Item 9 the recommendations for personnel changes such as salary matters would be made to the Salary Administration Committee. Chairman Brown said that the County Personnel Policy outlines the procedures for hiring, firing and recommendations for salary changes for all county departments. After further discussion of the personnel policy, the consensus of the Health Board Meeting Minutes: September 15, 1987 Page: 2 Board was that Item 9 be changed to read: "Hires, fires and assumes responsibility for employee evaluations as stipulated by the County Personnel Policy." Item 2 states that the Administrator is responsible for the administration and enforcement of applicable state and county health codes and regulations impacting the public health of the community. The following wording was added "under the authority of the Health Officer". Chairman B.G. Brown added that he feels that the professional duties should be outlined in the descriptions for the Director of Nursing and the Environmental Health Director and should not be addressed in the Administrator's description, (See Item 1,2 and 9) which should only outline administrative duties. Item 6, as Commissioner Dennison suggested, was changed to read "Develops information and provides recommendations to the County Commissioners on revenue policy related to fees." The discussion turned to the minimum qualifications for the Administrators position and specifically how much schooling and experience should be required for an applicant. Chairman Brown stated that he feels the Administrator should not be involved in the professional and technical aspects of the Health Department, that is the job of the Health Officer, the Director of Nurses and the Director of Environmental Health. Mary Catlin added that she sees the Administrators job as one that makes sure that the environmental health and nursing sections are working in the direction that the Board of Health directs, within the parameters as set forth by the State. The Board advised that they will review this draft description and check further into the matter of minimum qualifications, and write a final description as soon as possible. 2) Mary Tudor's Contract: Mary Catlin reported that Mary Tudor will not be returning to work for the Health Department after her maternity leave. A job description has been developed for this position and it was circulated to areas where there are Clinical Nurse Specialists. The department has been contacted by three nurses interested in the position, however they are not interested in a part time position. If a replacement for Mary Tudor can not be found and the program has to be cut, it will have the following impact on the department: half of the funding for a clerical position will be lost, the funding for the new born home visit program will be lost and funding for the two other nursing positions who work with the program will be lost. Mary Tudor has been available on a consulting basis, Mary Catlin reported, and a speech therapist has assumed responsibility for this grant for the balance of this year in Mary's absence. Chairman Brown asked if one of the applicants that is only willing to work full time could be used in other nursing areas, if hired? Mary Catlin responded Health Board Meeting Minutes: September 15, 1987 Page: 3 that base pay for a Clinical Nurse Specialist with no experience is $30,000 per year which means that the Department cannot afford to have them do nursing activities that are not reimbursed by the grant. If this program must be cut it will mean that the 11 children who are served by it will have to go to Children's Orthopedic Hospital for their initial evaluations and they would not receive any home services. 3) School Contracts: Quilcene was the only school district not renew their contract for services with the department. Clearwater School signed a contract for the first time this that did The Queets year. 4) State report recommendations: The State would like to schedule a full day meeting to discuss their report and recommendations with the Health Department staff and the Health Board. They also anticipate the need for two four hour follow-up sessions after this meeting. The Board concurred that this meeting be set up with the State and asked that the Administrator arrange a date that is satisfactory for all parties. DIRECTOR OF NURSING REPORT: Mary Catlin submitted the written report of nursing service activities for the last month, and noted that she is very concerned about the staffing level of the nursing section. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH REPORT: Rick Miklich submitted a written report of the activities of the environmental health section for the past month and added that a health letter application water sample program has been initiated. A $65.00 fee is charged for a water sample and $45.00 is charged for a loan inspection on a septic tank. A $45 fee is charged if a re-sample of a water system is needed. 1) Naval Underwater Weapons Engineering Station Permit: The NUWES on Indian Island has requested and received a permit to land farm contaminated soil on their own property. Most of the review work was done by Randy Durant who worked closely with the Department of Ecology on this permit. 2) Abandoned drums reported at intersection of Highway 101 and Highway 104: A report of abandoned drums at the intersection of Highway 101 and 104 was investigated and found to be true. The Department of Ecology estimates that it will cost approximately $3,500 per drum to pick up and dispose of these drums properly. In the past the DOE has provided this service, but they do not have funding for this program currently. It is not known what is in the drums at this time, but they are both completely full. Health Board Meeting Minutes: September 15, 1987 Page: 4 The Board directed Rick Miklich to contact DOE again and advise them that the County is not equipped to handle this situation and find out what kind of assistance they can provide. The Federal Department of Ecology should also be contacted. 3) Update on Closure of Dosewallips Beaches for Shellfish Harvestinq: The State has submitted more information on the water samples taken and the reasons why the Dosewallips area beaches were closed to commercial and recreational harvesting of shellfish. Rick Miklich further stated that this is a good opportunity to find out if the source of the fecal coliform is animal, seal or human. 4) Audit of Food Program by State: The State will do an audit of the County's food service program beginning the last week in September. MEETING ADJOURNED JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH 6!d&~~ B. G. Brown, Chairman .A.-(~p, (1/ t13AAYZ-<'-"-<'- George . Brown, Member