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Nevada Health Centers reports 650 immunizations in Q4, expands behavioral-health access with new LCSW
Summary
Nevada Health Centers told the board it administered about 650 immunizations and saw 4,264 unique patient visits in the fourth quarter; the organization added a licensed clinical social worker and is relying on telehealth and locum contracts to cover provider shortages.
Stephanie White, practice manager for Nevada Health Centers in Elko, updated the Elko County Board of Health on clinic activity and staffing shortages.
White said the system delivered roughly 650 immunizations across its sites in the fourth quarter and recorded 4,264 unique patient visits during that period. She named Elko and Wendover as the center's larger sites and Carlin and Jackpot as smaller locations.
To address behavioral-health demand, Nevada Health Centers added Selena Holmes, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), in the fourth quarter. White said Holmes will see patients age 5 and up, provide counseling for anxiety and depression and can see people who are not previously established as center patients. Holmes does not prescribe medications; when a medication is needed a clinician with prescribing authority will be involved.
White described continued provider shortages across the region. She said in-person appointment availability is limited — local in-person slots were projected around April (PA) or May (physician) — but telehealth appointments can typically be scheduled within a week for medication refills or acute issues. White said telehealth visits occur at the clinic with medical assistants and nurses providing in-clinic testing and vitals; the provider joins remotely.
The center continues to recruit a mix of permanent and temporary clinicians: two MD/DOs or PAs/APRNs and another LCSW for Elko, plus openings in Jackpot that are currently covered by telehealth. White said the center is working with third-party locum agencies; candidates are often out-of-state and require credentialing time.
She noted the center still has ample flu vaccine supply for those who need it and that the center's local phone number for scheduling is 738585 (option 1 for the front desk). White encouraged board members to share information about the new LCSW and telehealth options with residents facing access problems.
Board members asked how new or transferring patients can get into the scheduling queue; White said telehealth can be used quickly for interim refills and in-person follow-ups when space is available.
