Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Lisa Mancini, Interim Director, Behavioral Health, and Recovery Services
Subject: Amendment to the Agreement with Jackson & Coker for Locum Tenens Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Jackson & Coker Locum Tenens, LLC for locum tenens services, increasing the amount by $875,000 to an amount not to exceed $1,075,000 with no change to the agreement term.
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BACKGROUND:
Jackson & Coker Locum Tenens, LLC (Jackson & Coker) is a provider of locum tenens services and advanced practitioners to healthcare organizations.
In July 2022, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) entered into an agreement with Jackson & Coker for locum tenens services for the term of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, for an amount not to exceed $200,000.
DISCUSSION:
There continues to be an increasing demand for psychiatry services, for both BHRS and the national healthcare sector, especially in the wake of COVID, which saw clinicians leave the healthcare field in unprecedented numbers. As a result, BHRS and many other healthcare organizations are struggling to fill open psychiatrist positions. BHRS is currently recruiting for six psychiatrist vacancies, of which half have been vacant for more than six months. Given this staffing shortage, BHRS has an immediate need to continue to supplement our mental health employee workforce and contracted staff with needed psychiatrists, to continue providing essential services to our community. BHRS recommends amending the agreement with Jackson & Coker, due to the heightened need for psychiatrists, as well as Jackson & Coker’s experience and track record of providing staffing services throughout the nation and to BHRS. The amendment will allow BHRS to retain much needed additional psychiatry services.
BHRS is requesting that the Board waive the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for locum tenens services for the health and essential public service needs of county clients. As noted above, San Mateo County as well as counties around the country, are suffering the effects of staffing shortages in the mental health services. Waiving the RFP process will allow BHRS to fill these vital professional psychiatry positions. BHRS intends to develop and issue an RFP for locum tenens services in April 2023.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The amendment and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
It is anticipated that Jackson & Coker will respond to staffing requests by providing a list of available psychiatrists within 72-120 hours of each request.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2021-22 Actual |
FY 2022-23 Estimated |
|
Number of hours within which Jackson & Coker will respond to staffing requests by providing a list of available psychiatrists |
N/A* |
72-120 hours |
* Data for FY 2021-22 is not available since this is a new performance measure
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the amended agreement is July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. The amount of the amended agreement is not to exceed $1,075,000 for the one-year term. The amendment increases the maximum amount of the agreement by $875,000, of which $875,000 is included in the BHRS FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget. Of this amount, it is anticipated that 1991 Realignment will fund $437,500 and Short Doyle Medi-Cal Federal Financial Participation will fund the remaining $437,500. There is no Net County Cost associated with this amendment.