Update: Health Facilities Evaluator Nurses
Update from September 18, 2020

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On September 18, 2020, our Union met with Management for a check-in over the phone. Christina Montserrat and Susan Espinoza attended for CDPH (California Department of Public Health), and Andres Villarto, Kim Cowart, and Mo Kashmiri attended on behalf of our Union.

  1. Our main discussion topic concerned mileage reimbursements. We talked about the home being the home office instead of the DO since Health Facility Evaluator Nurses (HFENs) telework. We also questioned why members were getting conflicting information about mileage from Heidi. Management stated Heidi gave information before she verified it with HR and CalHR. As of now, the home office is what it was when HFENs started their employment. They also stated Heidi is advocating for moving HFEN home offices to their homes, but it has not been approved yet by CalHR. There is now a CDPH telework group and mileage is part of the discussion. We requested to receive written clarification on mileage from the Department to eliminate confusion. 
     
  2. We discussed ensuring CDPH has enough disinfectant, wipes, and products to continue distributing to HFENs in the field. Susan Espinoza said she will follow up to check if the order has been placed. The COVID-related items are being expedited. 
     
  3. Regarding the notice re COVID baseline and ongoing testing (C-2020-356-CDPH), Management is still working on the information regarding the policies and procedures. They hope to have additional information this week. However, CDPH stated they now have nurse contractors coming into the office to do the testing for the surveyors. Management said it requires HFENs to get routine testing based on the county’s infection rate, due to a requirement from the Center for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS). Therefore, the testing frequency could be different for each office.

Responses to previous questions:

  1. Q: Can the HFENs wear scrubs while working?

    A: Scrubs can be worn but are not a requirement of the position. CDPH will not purchase the scrubs nor will employees be reimbursed for the cost of scrubs.
     
  2. Q: Will N95 masks be provided in various sizes?

    A: CHCQ has been working with the MHCC/SOC to supply field staff with whatever N95s they have on hand. They’ve also placed several orders for several thousand new masks that started arriving this week. Most of the available masks are a new “one size fits all” NIOSH-approved mask, so hopefully, this will help with sizing issues.

    NOTE: We requested specifics about this new “one size fits all” NIOSH-approved mask. Management said they would get more information for us because they didn’t know the details.
     
  3. During our September 1 meeting, we asked for an update on reclassifications and/or pay incentives. The answer below was not included in the previous update, due to length.

    Management stated the reclassification proposal is on the personnel management side of CalHR. Personnel has been assigned to CDPH, but classification proposals and new pay proposals are not a priority with CalHR. Given the pandemic, other activities have taken precedence.

As usual, you can contact us at unit17@seiu1000.org if you have questions.

If you are having any individual issues, please make sure to call the Local 1000 Member Resource Center (MRC) at 866.471.SEIU (7348).

 

Andres Villatoro
Kim Cowart
Mo Kashmiri