Committee approves two limited‑term informatics interns to support electronic health record upgrade

The Washington County Human Services Committee approved a request to hire two limited‑term informatics interns to support an electronic health record (EHR) upgrade.

Julie Driscoll told the committee the county previously used opioid settlement funds to pay for an EHR upgrade and hired an informatics administrator to reduce reliance on outside consultants. "We projected that that upgrade and the cost of a consultant to help us with that upgrade would be about $200,000," Driscoll said, noting the board had approved use of opioid settlement funds. She later explained that because the new in‑house administrator could perform much of the work, the remaining consultant cost would be about $100,000 and that two limited‑term interns for the summer were estimated to cost about $30,000 — "so we are in and since saving about $70,000," she said.

Driscoll characterized the positions as limited‑term (not increasing ongoing headcount or the base budget) and said posting and hiring would proceed if the committee approved. After a brief opportunity for questions, the committee approved the request by voice vote; the chair announced "Motion carries." The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally.

Staff said the interns would assist the in‑house informatics administrator with configuration and the EHR upgrade and would report back to the committee on hiring progress and upgrade milestones.