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Conduct a public hearing to consider and approve:
a. Nursing Program Grant Agreement ("Agreement") with Hartnell College Foundation to provide Hartnell Community College District with Grant funds to meet the direct costs of the Nursing Program of Hartnell Community College, in an amount not to exceed $175,000 for the period July 31, 2012 to June 30, 2013, with an option for Natividad Medical Center ("NMC") to extend term for up to two additional years (4/5th Vote Required); and
b. Letter Agreement with Hartnell Community College District authorizing release of College faculty members from Nursing Program to work on-site at on NMC projects for the period July 31, 2012 to June 30, 2013 and for an additional two years should the Agreement with Hartnell College Foundation be extended (4/5 Vote Required).
c. Resolution finding that the expenditure of funds from the NMC Fiscal Year 2012/2013 Budget to underwrite the Agreement has a direct and primary public purpose, benefiting Monterey County, in general, and NMC, in particular (4/5th Vote Required);
d. Authorizing the Purchasing Manager for NMC to execute the Agreement with Hartnell College Foundation in an amount not to exceed $175,000 for the period July 31, 2012 to June 30, 2013, with an option for NMC to extend term for up to two additional years (4/5th Vote Required); and
e. Authorizing the Purchasing Manager for NMC to execute the Letter Agreement with Hartnell Community College District authorizing release of College faculty members from the Nursing Program to work on-site at NMC on NMC projects for the period July 31, 2012 to June 30, 2013 and for an additional two years should the Agreement with Hartnell College Foundation be extended (4/5 Vote Required). ADDED VIA ADDENDUM
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RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors consider and approve:
a. Nursing Program Grant Agreement ("Agreement") with Hartnell College Foundation to provide Hartnell Community College District with Grant funds to meet the direct costs of the Nursing Program of Hartnell Community College, in an amount not to exceed $175,000 for the period July 31, 2012 to June 30, 2013, with an option for Natividad Medical Center ("NMC") to extend term for up to two additional years (4/5th Vote Required); and
a. Letter Agreement with Hartnell Community College District authorizing release of College faculty members from Nursing Program to work on-site at on NMC projects for the period July 31, 2012 to June 30, 2013 and for an additional two years should the Agreement with Hartnell College Foundation be extended (4/5 Vote Required).
b. Resolution finding that the expenditure of funds from the NMC Fiscal Year 2012/2013 Budget to underwrite the Agreement has a direct and primary public purpose, benefiting Monterey County, in general, and NMC, in particular (4/5th Vote Required);
c. Authorizing the Purchasing Manager for NMC to execute the Agreement with Hartnell College Foundation in an amount not to exceed $175,000 for the period July 31, 2012 to June 30, 2013, with an option for NMC to extend term for up to two additional years (4/5th Vote Required); and
d. Authorizing the Purchasing Manager for NMC to execute the Letter Agreement with Hartnell Community College District authorizing release of College faculty members from the Nursing Program to work on-site at NMC on NMC projects for the period July 31, 2012 to June 30, 2013 and for an additional two years should the Agreement with Hartnell College Foundation be extended (4/5 Vote Required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Hartnell Community College District ("Hartnell") is the owner and operator of Hartnell Community College, which operates the Hartnell College Nursing and Allied Health Programs, an academic program, which, among other things, educates and trains registered nurses ("RNs") and licensed vocational nurses ("LVNs") (collectively, "Nurses") for entry level nursing positions in local health care facilities, including without limitation NMC (the "Nursing Program").
Hartnell College Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit corporation organized to support and advise Hartnell and Hartnell Community College in developing Hartnell's activities, programs and facilities; cultivate bequests and donations; and to responsibly administer funds, properties, bequests, annuities, and other instruments for the benefit of Hartnell.
NMC seeks to enter into an agreement ("Agreement") with the Hartnell College Foundation to provide Hartnell with funding in the amount of $175,000 for the period July 31, 2012 to June 30, 2013 for Hartnell's use in meeting the direct costs of Hartnell Community College's Nursing Program, so as to help sustain and support the program. The Agreement provides Natividad Medical Center with the option to extend the term for up to two additional years. Expenditures under the Hartnell Nursing Grant Agreement shall serve a direct and primary public purpose, by providing funds to improve the quality and quantity of nurses available to provide nursing services in the community and, in particular, at NMC and by improving the skills and training of physicians and nurses on staff at NMC. As shown below, under the Agreement this partnership will benefit the community and NMC through: 1) Shared interdisciplinary high fidelity simulation lab learning, 2) Joint appointments of NMC nurses and Hartnell faculty, and 3) Continued nurse residency opportunities.
Simulation Lab: Hartnell Community College owns and operates a computerized fully-equipped learning laboratory where medical scenarios unfold and participants practice assessment and interventions, and evaluate processes and outcomes. The lab is organized to simulate NMC patient rooms. Participants evaluate themselves after each scenario with expert guidance. On-site at Hartnell Community College's learning lab, NMC physicians, nurses, and allied health staff shall collaborate with Hartnell Community College faculty and RN and LVN students to promote inter-disciplinary care and improve patient outcomes at NMC, by developing not only basic communication and assessment skills, such as obtaining a health history and physical examination, but also highly complex and technical skills, such as administering IV medications and intubating patients with life-threatening conditions.
Faculty Development: Currently, Hartnell Community College employs two of NMC's skilled RNs in obstetrics and pediatrics as adjunct faculty. Having NMC RNs as adjunct faculty prepares Hartnell students for clinical rotations at NMC with a greater level of familiarity and training in NMC healthcare delivery policies, procedures, and practices, than otherwise possible. To continue this model, under the Agreement, two RNs each year shall remain employed by NMC, but shall be released to work as adjunct faculty at Hartnell Community College for 12-hours/ week for 18 weeks during the Spring semester, teaching clinical courses to Hartnell Community College RN students and thus improving their own pedagogical skills while readying students in the clinical care of patients at NMC upon hire.
In addition, two full time faculty members from Hartnell Community College shall be released from teaching duties at the college to work on-site at NMC with NMC MDs and RNs and other healthcare team members on NMC projects, committees, and continuing education, assisting in areas of risk reduction, quality improvement, assurance of standards of practice, regional and global initiatives, implementation and evaluation of core measures, and the development of knowledge and skills of NMC staff.
Nurse Residency:
Also pursuant to the Agreement, four to six Hartnell RN graduates each year shall participate as nurse residents at NMC, providing care to NMC patients for a six-month residency period. Grant funds shall be used to provide faculty coordination of this program, which includes teaching the didactic portion and collaborating with NMC Nursing Directors and staff. Nurse residencies, as recommended by the Institute of Medicine Report on Nursing Practice, benefit NMC by preparing RN graduates to practice at NMC in a residency program similar to a medical residency program. At the completion of a residency, RNs gain knowledge and confidence in all aspects of professional nursing and are likely to want to stay where the residency was practiced. Additionally, NMC has the opportunity to develop qualified candidates for future employment to assist the community.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form and risk provisions. Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to fiscal provisions. The Agreement has also been reviewed and approved by Natividad Medical Center's Board of Trustees.
FINANCING:
NMC seeks approval of this Agreement, including the option to extend the term for up to two years. If NMC elects to exercise the two additional options to extend, it will seek additional Board approval for each option exercised. If all options are exercised, the total cost of this agreement shall be $525,000 over a three year term. At this time, Natividad seeks approval of the first year only. The CAO-Budget and Analysis was not provided sufficient time or information to consider the costs/benefit or potential lost opportunity for funding other county programs with these funds.
The cost for this Agreement is $175,000 and is included in the Fiscal Year 2012/2013 Approved Budget. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Expenditures for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 under the Hartnell Nursing Grant Agreement are as follows:
1. Simulation lab: Technician (part-time) $ 25,000: Equipment and supplies: $ 55,500.
2. Faculty Development: RN staff working as adjunct faculty (2 per year): $22,000 Faculty working with NMC programs: (20% release time; 2 per year) $ 42,500.
3. Nurse Residency Program: Up to six residents for six months coordinated and taught by nursing faculty. Costs associated with coordination and teaching of Program: $ 30,000.
4. Total: $ 175,000.
Prepared by: Daniel Leon, 783-2561
Approved by: Harry Weis, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2553
Attachments: Agreement, Resolution, Letter Agreement