Title
Ratify and approve Amendment No. 8 to the Agreement (A-16146) with Locumtenens.com, LLC, previously executed by the Chief Executive Officer of Natividad Medical Center (NMC) for recruiting and assignment of physician services at NMC, extending the agreement for an additional three (3) month period (April 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026) for a revised full agreement term of August 26, 2022 through June 30, 2026, with no change to the total agreement amount not-to-exceed $11,700,000.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors:
Ratify and approve Amendment No. 8 to the Agreement (A-16146) with Locumtenens.com, LLC, previously executed by the Chief Executive Officer of Natividad Medical Center (NMC) for recruiting and assignment of physician services at NMC, extending the agreement for an additional three (3) month period (April 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026) for a revised full agreement term of August 26, 2022 through June 30, 2026, with no change to the total agreement amount not-to-exceed $11,700,000.
SUMMARY:
Locum tenens are physicians who temporarily take the place of physicians during periods when physicians (employed or contracted) are not available (e.g., vacation; illness; continuing medical education; etc.). In order to find highly qualified temporary physicians and other locum tenens, such as advanced practitioners, who match the position we are trying to cover and are available on sometimes very short notice, it is necessary to contract with multiple locum tenens agencies to provide referrals of locum tenens physicians.
DISCUSSION:
Due to multiple factors, including physician shortages in certain hard to fill specialties, NMC is experiencing a high utilization of locum tenens physicians and wishes to amend the agreements to add funds and extend the term ensuring temporary physicians are available if needed to provide the patient care services critical to NMC’s operation without interruption. Ratification on this agreement will ensure continued coverage to critical services required for NMC’s Level II trauma designation.
Due to contract negotiations, amendment was not signed by vendor in time to meet NMC’s board and committee deadlines.
The proposed action is a limited, three-month extension through June 30, 2026. This extension is intended solely to bridge the gap until a new agreement is finalized and implemented. Importantly, there is no request for additional funding, as the extension remains within the existing not-to-exceed amount.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Amendment No. 8 as to form, and the Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved as to payment provisions. Amendment No. 8 has also been reviewed and approved by NMC’s Finance Committee and Board of Trustees on April 3, 2026.
FINANCING:
Amendment No. 8 requires no additional funds. There is no impact on the General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PALN GOALS SECTION:
The services rendered in this agreement are required for a Level II Trauma Center and provide NMC with the additional support it needs in order to provide exceptional facilities and health programs to create safe and healthy communities where all can thrive.
__ Well-Being and Quality of Life
__ Sustainable Infrastructure for Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
__Diverse and Thriving Economy
__ Administrative
Prepared by: Jeanne-Ann Balza, Director of Physician Services, 783-2506
Approved by: Charles R. Harris, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2551
Attachment(s):
Board Report
Locumtenens.com, LLC. Amendment No. 8
Locumtenens.com, LLC. Amendment No. 7
Locumtenens.com, LLC. Amendment No. 6
Locumtenens.com, LLC. Amendment No. 5
Locumtenens.com, LLC. Amendment No. 4
Locumtenens.com, LLC. Amendment No. 3
Locumtenens.com, LLC. Amendment No. 2
Locumtenens.com, LLC. Amendment No. 1
Locumtenens.com, LLC. Agreement
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board