Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Donna Vaillancourt, Human Resources Director
Scott Johnson, Deputy Director, Human Resources
Subject: Amendment to the Agreement with Kaiser On-the-Job
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Kaiser On-the-Job to conduct pre-placement and Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) mandated physical examinations for an additional year to a new term of June 1, 2014 through May 31, 2019 in an amount not to exceed $2,800,000.
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BACKGROUND:
The County has collaborated with Kaiser On-the-Job to establish an Occupational Health Service program. Kaiser On-the-Job provides Occupational Health Services to County employees and they have effectively administered this program by working closely with County employees and the County's Occupational Health Nurse to secure the scheduling of all pre-placement physicals and annual health surveillance exams.
At the inception of the contract with Kaiser, our occupational/annual medical surveillance required a Skin Puncture test for tuberculosis, a $20 test. In 2012, the County's Health Officer recommended a change from skin test to Quantiferon -TB Gold. It is a more accurate test but also more expensive. Additionally, Kaiser increased their rates from $65 to $147 per test. Although the price increase by Kaiser is substantial, it is in line with other labs. Access Labs charges $149 and Quest Diagnostics charges $157 for the same test.
The increase in the contract amount is due to three changes: 1) in County protocol requirements for existing employees who are a part of the annual medical surveillance program including Health System, Sheriff's Office, Probation, Medical Center, Public Health, Family Health, BHRS; 2) an increase in hiring for the Sheriff's department related to the new jail, and 3) an increase in pricing by our vendor.
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