JCHC Staff to Receive Hazard Pay During Pandemic

Johnson County Healthcare Center employees will be receiving a one-time COVID-19 hazard payout totaling nearly $1 million, according to a release from the facility.

CEO Sean McCallister put together a plan for the payout in appreciation for staff who “weathered the pandemic with admirable poise and unwavering dedication.”

The plan will give employees who worked from March of 2020 through January of 2021 the one-time payment for full-time employees,of $500 per month for the 10-month period, totaling $5,000; part-time employees will receive $250 per month or a total of $2,500; and per-diem employees will receive $100 per month for a total of $1,000.

McCallister said, “We appreciate their individual and collective efforts during this unique and challenging public health emergency. We are extremely proud of the courage, poise, preparation, skill and teamwork demonstrated by our entire team.”

The Johnson County Hospital District Board of Trustees approved the COVID-19 hazard payout at their regular meeting Wednesday night, and Board President Dr. Mark Schueler gave praise to the employees and to the board’s decision to reward them, saying “The hospital board members are grateful for the courage and dedication shown by the people of the Johnson County Healthcare Center over the past 10 months and are glad to be able to show their appreciation in a meaningful way. Despite the uncertainty and increased demands, these workers have functioned as a team at the highest level.”

Johnson County Healthcare Center is one of many hospitals that have provided hazard pay incentives to staff during the pandemic.

McCallister also praised the staff at the healthcare center, saying, “Employees worked extra shifts, delayed or canceled vacations, expanded their job scope, minimized internal spread of the virus despite consistent exposure to it and prevented virus outbreak in the nursing home. I’m pleased with our approach to the payout because housekeeping, dietary and laundry staff will receive the same amount as physicians and senior leaders. It recognizes that every team member has contributed in equally important and valuable ways during the pandemic.”

The payout was made possible through federal Health and Human Services COVID-19 stimulus funds.