Disciplinary action explained
By Melinda L. Lucas
All seven of Shackelford County Hospital District’s directors were present for a long meeting on Monday, March 15, much of which took place in closed session to discuss individual employee evaluations and job descriptions.
A similar closed session about personnel was held March 8.
There was no action either night when the meetings were reopened to the public.
“Probation” Clarification
In answer to an apparent question at a previous meeting, EMS supervisor Tina Ulbrich presented copies of a letter from EMS Compliance Specialist Heather Godinez with the Texas Department of State Health Services stating that DSHS had not assessed any probation against the Shackelford County EMS provider’s license after a 2020 complaint.
According to the letter, “the only disciplinary action taken against Shackelford County EMS on or about Nov. 19, 2020” was “an administrative penalty fee in the amount of $1,875.”
In the ensuing discussion, which was held in open session, directors referred to the actions of a former employee involved in a “drug diversion” case that is still being investigated.
“Any time that an individual is put on suspension or probation or assessed a fine, it will show on our DSHS public page until it is updated every year,” said Ulbrich. “We are not on probation, and we have not been.”
After a lengthy discussion about the district’s safeguards regarding controlled drugs, the board decided that a recently adopted policy had adequate “checks and balances.”
Leslie Belcher commented that future policies of that nature should probably come before the whole board.
Other Business
•The possible purchase of a second chest compression unit known as a “LUCAS” for the backup ambulance at a cost of about $26,000 was tabled until the next meeting.
•District administrator Jera Fairley reviewed the COVID leave policy, but no changes were made.
•Fairley also handed out copies of the new CDC guidelines about COVID.
•Transfers of $350,000 to the EMS operating account and $40,000 to the clinic account were approved.
