ATASCADERO STATE HOSPITAL
Contracts terminated for 13 psychiatrists working at Atascadero State Hospital
Posted: Jan 23, 2012 3:46 PM by Courtney Meznarich
Updated: Jan 24, 2012 8:11 AM
Contracts have been terminated for 13 psychiatrists working at Atascadero State Hospital as part of ongoing cost cutting measures.
The Department of Mental Health says it is required to cut contracted, temporary and part-time workers before cutting state employees. One state-employed psychiatrist will now be assigned to each of the 30 treatment units at ash. An additional floating pool of state-employed psychiatrists will also be available.
A spokesperson from the DMH says the new staffing is actually more efficient despite the cuts. State-employed psychiatrists will provide more consistent care, instead of constant changes within units.
Contracted employees are hired on an at-will basis and paid hourly, according to the department. If they are to have their contracts terminated, they are almost always given 30 days notice, and a spokesperson tells us she believes the 13 psychiatrists at ASH were warned their services would no longer be needed after January 6, 2012.
Additional layoffs are possible in the coming months, but a final plan for each state hospital is still in the works.
Back in December, the DMH announced it would eliminate 600 positions across the state, 270 of which are currently filled. Employees who are affected could be moved to other jobs within the department.
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