SULLIVAN COUNTY –– Legislators passed a resolution last week that seeks to address difficulties the Care Center at Sunset Lake has had recruiting qualified employees. The resolution explains that due to a critical staffing shortage, current staff are volunteering to cover full shifts to maintain required staffing levels.

The resolution creates a referral, sign-on and shift incentive bonus program for a one year trial period ending on September 16, 2022.

Sign-on bonuses will be paid in monthly increments during a new hire’s continuous six months of service in accordance with the following: Registered nurse (FT- $4,500, PT-2,250), Licensed practical nurse (FT- $3,500, PT- 1,750) and Certified Nursing Assistant (FT- $2,000, PT-$1,000).

Also, part-time and full-time employees that work their regular schedule and volunteer for and work an additional eight-hour shift will receive $75 in addition to their regular pay.

Per-diem workers will get $150 after working their two required shifts for the month. They can get the bonus after they work three volunteer shifts in a week.

As for the referral bonus program, all employees currently working at the Care Center at Sunset Lake covered under the Teamsters contract are eligible to participate.

Referrals must be identified by referring employees in writing on the candidate referral form to Human Resources prior to the application submission date of the referred candidate in order to qualify for the bonus. If the referred applicant is hired, the referring employee will receive a $1,000 bonus upon successful completion of 90 days of continuous employment [by the person they referred].