Salem hospital eliminates 6 positions

Salem hospital eliminates 6 positions

STAFF REPORT

SALEM — Salem Community Hospital has announced the elimination of four management and two nonmanagement positions.

Michele Hoffmeister, the hospital’s director of public relations, said in a release Friday, “This reduction in force was required to help the hospital meet the growing financial demands placed on it as a result of the economy and projected uncompensated care of approximately $11 million.”

She also said, “During the past few months, SCH employees have reduced their work hours in an effort to minimize the effect of this uncompensated care obligation. But in addition to this issue, we are also faced with a decrease in Medicare payments from the federal government that will take effect in October. Given these two issues, it was clear that more needed to be done.”

None of the eliminated jobs is for a direct patient-care provider, so patient care will not be affected. In addition to the eliminated positions, some employee benefits are being reduced, and hospital employees will not receive wage increases during the coming year.

“People can expect to receive the same high-quality, personalized care at Salem Community Hospital as they have in the past,” Hoffmeister added.