St. Charles Health, largest employer in Central Oregon, will lay off 105 people

The St. Charles Well being System, headquartered in Bend, introduced it can lay off 105 caregivers and eradicate 76 vacant positions. That’s a roughly 4% minimize to its general workforce. The individuals who shall be laid off had not but been instructed their destiny on Wednesday afternoon when hospital leaders made their announcement.

St. Charles leaders stated challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed the well being system into monetary misery and it has incurred $21.8 million in working losses this yr by way of April, a 6.7% working loss.

The price of hiring short-term contract staff, together with “touring nurses” who command a better charge than native, full-time nurses, contributed to the hospital’s unhealthy monetary place, in keeping with a press release launched by the hospital Wednesday. Elevated tools and provide prices and federal mortgage compensation have additionally contributed.

Different care suppliers in rural Oregon have stated they too are being hit exhausting by sky-high contract labor prices attributable to a nationwide staffing scarcity of nurses, licensed nurses assistants, and pharmacists that has led to fierce competitors for folks keen to journey for non permanent work.

In south Central Oregon, the Lake Well being District has additionally reported steep working losses this yr attributable to contract labor prices, and is contemplating decreasing companies.

In some circumstances, the district has no candidates for important jobs, the Lake County Examiner reported.

In Tillamook County, a nonprofit nursing house operator cited contract labor prices as a serious motive for closing two assisted dwelling amenities that had served the county’s Medicaid recipients.

Statewide information on hospital funds reveals that many bigger well being methods have offset their working income losses throughout the pandemic with features within the portfolios of inventory that they maintain.

The St. Charles Well being System is the biggest employer in Central Oregon.

That is an evolving story. Look ahead to updates.