San Diego-based Sharp HealthCare has reduced its workforce and realigned operations across several areas of the health system, affecting about 260 employees, according to an Aug. 11 statement shared with Becker’s.
Many of those employees were immediately offered alternative employment within the system, and the net reduction amounts to just under 1% of Sharp’s workforce, the health system said. The changes affect behavioral healthcare, select outpatient services and certain systemwide and regional operations.
Sharp said affected clinical roles include registered nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, imaging technicians and case management staff. Affected nonclinical roles include transportation, credentialing, intake, patient services and other administrative and business operations staff.
The health system cited rising costs for labor and supplies, stagnant government reimbursement rates, and federal and state policy changes, including ongoing effects of HR 1 and unfunded state mandates.
“These decisions are difficult and were made only after significant consideration,” Chris Howard, president and CEO of Sharp HealthCare, said in the statement. “Most importantly, they are not a reflection of the dedication, performance or contributions of the colleagues impacted.”
Mr. Howard said expenses have consistently outpaced revenues in recent years and that Sharp is redesigning behavioral healthcare delivery and adjusting staffing to align with new state requirements and changing patient needs. He said the system’s commitment to behavioral health has not changed.
Sharp said it is providing affected employees with resources, career assistance and opportunities to apply for available roles where appropriate.
Sharp, a nonprofit system with five acute care hospitals, five specialty hospitals, three affiliated medical groups and a health plan, employs about 22,000 people, according to its website.
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