Title
a. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer for NMC or his designee to execute a no cost Student Placement Agreement with Baylor University for Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy students with an agreement term of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2026.
b. Approve the NMC Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation to accept non-standard indemnification and insurance provisions within the agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer for NMC or his designee to execute a no cost Student Placement Agreement with Baylor University for Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy students with an agreement term of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2026.
b. Approve the NMC Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation to accept non-standard indemnification and insurance provisions within the agreement
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Sam Karas Acute Rehab Unit at Natividad has a network of physical, occupational, and speech therapy staff who work closely with nurses to provide a comprehensive Acute Rehab program. Natividad is recognized by the Center for Accreditation in Acute Rehab in both medical and stroke specialty.
The program is unique as patients have a longer length of stay, required three hours minimum of therapy, five days a week with a minimum of two of three disciplines to meet Medicare guidelines. It is the highest and most aggressive level of rehab and an invaluable experience, unique to this level of hospital rehab and allows the students exposure required during their course program.
The program dually serves the Acute Rehab Unit as these students bring new and current therapy standards along with what is up and coming in the market. The students provide additional time and experience to our patients and allow a mentoring program for our staff so they also can stay current with the trending and quickly changing medical field.
There is an opportunity for the Acute Hospital Therapy staff to also utilize this program and these students. The benefit here is seeing how a patient on the acute side of the hospital can transition to the Acute Rehab unit and return home.
The advantage of adding a program like Baylor would be to capture all disciplines of therapy under this umbrella. We have no schools currently that offer this specific feature. We value student input and Baylor has an excellent reputation for excellence.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved this agreement as to form. The agreement was reviewed and approved by NMC’s Finance Committee and its Board of Trustees on November 13, 2020.
FINANCING:
There is no cost associated with this education agreement.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Our ultimate goal is to capture Physical, Occupation or Speech Therapy students with a passion in rehab post-graduation. Many of them are unfamiliar with the level of rehab we offer. Frequently our current students are seeking employment here in the ARU; post-graduation. This will strengthen the pool of medical professionals in the area and further enhance healthcare opportunities for Monterey County residents.
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Prepared by: Lorrie Toderick, Director, 772-7477
Approved by: Gary R. Gray, DO, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2553
Attachments:
Baylor University Student Placement Agreement
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board