Short two providers, hospital working on recruitment of staff

    Chase County Community Hospital and its clinics have seen a change in medical provider staffing after the recent departure of Physician’s Assistant Nicole Havel and Nurse Practitioner Brandy Hanes.  
    Four providers continue to serve the hospital and its clinics in Imperial and Wauneta.
    Administrators say they are actively recruiting medical staff, including Physicians, Physician Associates and Nurse Practitioners as they work to fill the two vacant positions.
    Hospital CEO Abby Cyboron said they have a good lead on a Nurse Practitioner who they hope can start in late January or early February.
    Cyboron said they have signed an employment agreement with that individual who’s been in the nursing profession 13 years and completed training as a Nurse Practitioner this summer.
    Cyboron said she will take her boards in November with licensing requirements to follow. Once completed, CCCH will initiate the privileging and credentialing process.
    Cyboron said they are also in discussions with a second Nurse Practitioner who could potentially start next fall.
    But, in order to meet the immediate healthcare needs of the community, Cyboron said their providers are filling in when possible and the hospital is also bringing in traveling physicians to help cover the schedule during this temporary period of time.
     “Our goal is to have our staffing levels at a point to adequately cover the healthcare needs of our Critical Access Hospital and both rural health clinics,” she said.
    Specifically relating to the Wauneta clinic, their intent is to be open two consistent days per week—the same days and times—by early 2023.   
    Currently, they are trying to have the Wauneta clinic open one day a week, said Shawn Jaeger, the hospital’s Foundation & Marketing Coordinator.
    “We are dealing with it as we can, we are trying to be open in Wauneta,” he said.
    When they are able to utilize locum tenes physicians in Imperial, that frees up other staff to be in Wauneta, he said.
    The Imperial clinic is open its normal hours Monday through Friday.
    Cyboron said she or Jaeger can be contacted with additional questions or concerns at Chase County Community Hospital and Clinics at 308-882-7111.