Rural New Mexico hospital cuts jobs

Alta Vista Regional Hospital in Las Vegas, N.M., has eliminated three positions — two full-time and one part-time — as it works to align its workforce with operational needs.

Ashoke "Bappa" Mukherji, CEO of Java Medical Group, which manages the hospital for its owner, Nashville, Tenn.-based Dava Health, confirmed to Becker's that the reductions affected nightshift ER registration clerks.

"The nighttime volume in the ER did not justify maintaining two registration clerks all night," Mr. Mukherji said. He added that affected workers were invited to apply for similar positions in other departments. 

As of Nov. 14, one had already applied, and the other two were expected to apply soon, said Mr. Mukherji. 

Java began managing the hospital Dec. 1, 2023. Since then, the management company reopened the ICU and created dozens of new jobs in both the hospital and associated medical clinics, Mr. Mukherji said. 

Amanda Shurtz, MSN, RN, who was brought in as interim CEO this summer, wrote in a Nov. 12 email to the Santa Fe New Mexican that Java seeks to ensure the hospital is around for "many years to come."

"These decisions are part of a broader strategy we've undertaken this year to rightsize our workforce, making necessary adjustments to maintain the hospital's long-term stability and focus resources where they are most needed," she wrote to the publication. "While this included some reductions, it also involved creating new positions in areas essential to providing high-quality care."

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Webinars