To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Michelle Estell, RS, MSA, Health Officer
title
RE: Approval to create, post & fill one (1) Public Health Nurse Coordinator position
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval to create, post and fill one (1) Public Health Nurse Coordinator.
BACKGROUND:
In 2022 there was a total of 120 cases of TB for a case rate of 1.2 per 100,000 residents, in 2023 the TB cases increased to 149 for the state of Michigan with a case rate of 1.5 per 100,000 residents due to our diligent tracking of TB carriers. More importantly, the case rate of TB for Genesee County in 2022 was 0.5 per 100,000 residents and increased to 2.7 per 100,000 residents which for our population is significantly above all of Michigan. The uptick likely also represents an increasing awareness of active tuberculosis disease in the county and with the expectation of increase in Refugees the need to treat active TB disease as well as TB disease that is not in the lungs. Identifying and treating TB disease in the county is a federal mandate.
DISCUSSION:
In order for GCHD to meet the needs of our residents, more resources must be allocated to identify and treat residents of Genesee County for Tuberculosis disease and infection. To respond to the need, the health department requests authorization to create a Public Health Nursing (PHN) Coordinator position to assist with the TB program so that at least one nurse can be a known resource for community health care providers and a PHN Coordinator will help with case investigation and management.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
Any necessary actions to post and fill a new position.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Funding for this position is available for the current fiscal year and funded from 2210-625.00-702.000 and related fringe accounts. No additional County appropriation is needed.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
Space for the position is available and designated in the Communicable Disease Program.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
Any necessary steps for a new County employee.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
Conforms to Healthy, Livable & Safe Communities and Long-Term Financial Stability: Early identification, and treatment of Tuberculosis in anyone leads to positive health outcomes. Having a Public Health Nurse Coordinator leads to early identification and treatment decision making and planning.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Health Officer to authorize establishing, posting, and filling one Public Health Nurse Coordinator position to be funded from account 2210-625.00-702.000 is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documentation being on file with the official records of the November 13, 2024 meeting of the Finance Committee of this Board), and the Chief Financial Officer is directed to record the attached budget amendment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board directs the Director of Human Resources to have the necessary personnel position number created, as necessary, for said position and to commence the hiring process so that the position may be filled as soon as practicable, in accordance with County policy and applicable collective bargaining agreement.