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Department of Health reports large vacancies at state facilities and high contract‑labor costs; committee to explore pay 'sweet spot'
Summary
Agency leaders told the JAC subcommittee that vacancy rates for nurses and direct‑care staff at state facilities are high, forcing substantial contract labor spending; they provided vacancy and contract‑pay figures and agreed to further committee work on compensation, retention and program alternatives.
Stefan Johansen and other Department of Health leaders told the Joint Appropriations subcommittee that staffing shortages across state run facilities are driving heavy use of expensive contract labor and lengthening waits for court‑ordered admissions to the state hospital.
"For CNAs at the Department of Health facilities, at the Life Resource Center I am about 65% vacant on CNAs," Johansen said, and he provided additional vacancy and pay figures to illustrate the department’s financing pressure. He told the committee the department’s entry‑level nurse pay band is about $31 to $33 an hour, while contracting for traveling nurses costs "$75 an hour" or more depending on assignment. For certified nursing assistants, Johansen said entry wages run roughly $17.90 to $18.90 per hour while contract CNAs can cost $45–$50 an hour.
Johans…
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