St. Louis-based BJC HealthCare said it has cut 200 jobs as an external managed services provider takes on responsibility for most of the health system's information technology support services.
The outsourcing move affects infrastructure support services such as service desk, desktop support and mobile devices; server, storage, database and data center management; and network and telecommunications services, among other functions.
"Using managed service providers for IT services is a standard IT industry practice. Many companies across a wide range of industries — including healthcare — successfully partner with managed service providers," BJC spokesperson June Fowler told Becker's Hospital Review. "Such partnering enables internal staff to focus resources on IT strategy and business solutions."
Ms. Fowler said the transition has been phased in over the last several months and is expected to be complete by the end of the year. Of the affected 200 positions, more than 70 percent have been placed in other internal BJC jobs or have joined the outsourced company. The health system is not naming the company.
Affected employees who were not placed in other BJC roles received a severance package.
"We recognize that any action that results in job impact has significant consequences for team members and their families," Ms. Fowler said. "We appreciate and value their contributions to BJC and have been committed to supporting them throughout this transition."
More articles on leadership and management:
Pennsylvania hospital CEO resigns amid financial woes, medical service ban
White House's Dr. Ronny Jackson seeks seat in Congress
Michael Dowling: When it comes to health disparities, gaps in mental health treatment are the worst