issue 06-10
issue 06-10
October, 2006
Exercise tests anthrax response - Page 1
HCA gives United Way Campaign a boost
- Page 1
CCS Therapist of the Year Award presented - Page 2
Annual Compliance training - Page 2
CCS therapists in triathlon to benefit OC youth
- Page 2
HCA promotes Red Ribbon Week - Page
3
Important payroll
reminders for everyone!! - Page 3
Flu shots available for employees this month
- Page 3
Lunch and learn about your benefits
- Page 3
November
Health Observances -Page 4
On September 12th, HCA staff exercised their response to a possible anthrax release in a joint drill with U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees and with the Santa Ana Police and Fire Departments.
The Santa Ana Post Office and Distribution Center was the site of the exercise as they simulated a possible release of anthrax that passed through their detection system. HCA employees from throughout the Agency participated in the response, which included a field prophylaxis clinic set-up to provide medical screening and medication dispensing.
Staff from HCA's Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) were among the group of volunteers assisting with the exercise that processed about 100 USPS employees through the field clinic. Santa Ana Fire also simulated the decontamination of several Postal Service Inspectors as they walked through a stream of water from fire engines.
Drills similar to this exercise provide a unique opportunity to test and improve response preparedness for an actual event. As a County employee, every HCA staff member is already enrolled as a disaster service worker. For more information about the MRC or for those interested in volunteering, contact Peggy Evans at pevans@ochca.com.
… more photos on page 4
The County's 2006 United Way Campaign got off to a great start on October 5th with the annual Kickoff Event held at the Hall of Administration.
The theme for this year's campaign is "Orange County and United Way -Unity in Action," conveying the partnership between the County and the United Way. The Orange County United Way has served the community since 1924, addressing the critical health and human care needs facing the county's residents. Serving as chairperson of this year's County campaign is Jan Goss, Director of the County's Integrated Waste Management Department.
Health Care Agency staff members were out in full force for the Kickoff, with HCA booths offering our famous Egg Rolls, nachos, Entertainment books, apparel with the County logo and much more. Other County agencies offered a variety of food and merchandise items with proceeds benefiting the United Way drive. By combining a worthy cause with an event designed to generate fun and participation, the County of Orange has demonstrated its commitment to helping the people of Orange County through United Way's many programs and services.
… more photos on page 4.
CCS Therapist of the Year Award presented
Left to Right: Barbara Melroy, PTA, Lynn Einarsson, MS, OTR/L, Chief Therapist
Barbara Melroy, a Physical Therapy Assistant with the California Children's Services (CCS) Medical Therapy Program, has been awarded the Kathy McCarthy Therapist of the Year Award. Barbara has worked for the CCS program since 1992, starting in Los Angeles County and joining Orange County in 1996. Barbara was nominated by her peers for her leadership and dedication to the CCS program. Barbara is always enthusiastic about her job and continuously goes above and beyond her work requirements. Her experience as a parent of a special needs child is invaluable in her ability to show empathy and concern for parents in the program. Barbara and her family have been involved with many community projects including foster parenting for ten years and the annual Land Meet Sea Camp for children with special needs. Congratulations to Barbara Melroy!
The CCS Kathy McCarthy Therapist of the Year Award was established in 1992 to recognize staff occupational and physical therapists who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their profession, and the children and families of the CCS Medical Therapy Program. Kathy McCarthy was an Occupational Therapist in the CCS program who passed away in 1992. She had a 25 year career with the Orange County CCS Program. The award was established in her name to honor her dedication to the children served by the program.
The countdown is underway—HCA begins its annual Compliance Training on November 1st!
You should have received a letter from HCA Director Julie Poulson providing additional details of this important training effort. Look for an e-mail from the Chief Compliance Officer, Jeff Nagel, detailing how to link to the training and tips to make the on-line training go more smoothly.
Once again this year, the majority of HCA employees will participate in on-line Compliance Training. A limited number of facilitated classroom training sessions will also be available. Annual training is mandatory for HCA's regular, extra-help and contract employees and must be completed before January 10, 2007.
This year's training focuses on (1) preparing for external investigations; (2) false claims laws; (3) documentation standards; (4) information security, and; (5) patient's rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
If you have any questions about Compliance training, contact the HCA Office of Compliance at (714) 568-5614.
In the spirit of promoting healthy lifestyles for County of Orange employees and residents, 14 physical and occupational therapists from California Children's Services (CCS) trained for and participated in the Pacific Coast Triathlon on Sunday, September 10th at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach. Four 3-person relay teams from various work locations competed, as well as 2 individuals. The course consisted of a ½ mile ocean swim, 12 mile bike and 3 mile run. A portion of the proceeds from this race go to benefit youth oriented charities in Orange County. Congratulations to the staff from CCS for taking on this challenge!
(At right) Participants after the triathlon (left to right): Tricia Wong, Marsha Owen, Natalie Angelo, Clarice Torrey, Laurel Didham, Zoe Gutierrez, Rachel Pimental, Tristen Teasdale, Holly Robins-Bell, Elisa Kemmer, Marilyn Schmidt.
… more photos on page 4.
The HCA Compliance Program offers a
confidential telephone hotline to voice your concerns about
any situation that may conflict with Compliance
Program principles. You may call the hotline 24 hours a day, 7
days a week at:
(866) 260-5636
—Phyllis Bottome
HCA's Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Team (ADEPT) is hard at work promoting Red Ribbon Week, October 22-28, and its primary mission of reducing demand for illegal drugs and the illegal use of drugs in Orange County.
Red Ribbon Week is an important tradition for the drug prevention community and is observed during the last week of October to promote drug free youth and communities. The National Red Ribbon Campaign was sparked by the murder of Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena by drug traffickers in 1985.
ADEPT is working to expand the Red Ribbon concept to a year-round campaign that promotes and facilitates collaboration between schools and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems. This year's Red Ribbon Week kick-off begins with the "Celebration of Red Ribbon: 100% Me Drug Free" event on Sunday, October 22 at Centennial Park in Santa Ana from 12 Noon-4 pm. HCA staff and the public are invited to join in the Red Ribbon week celebration and promote a healthier Orange County. For more information about Red Ribbon activities throughout the year, please contact Golnaz Agahi of ADEPT at (714) 834-2094.
Employee ID Numbers
When contacting Payroll for assistance, please have your six digit employee ID number available. This will speed the research and help resolve the issue more quickly!
Posting Time
When posting time, please post in 15 minute increments only.
Update Your Information
Keep your personal information current by using the ADMIN tab in VTI. Keep your phone number and e-mail address current. If Payroll needs to contact you, this is where they will look for your information!
Remind Me
Can't remember your password? Have you been locked out? The system will reset after 15 minutes and then you can try again. Still can't remember your password? On the error message screen is a "Remind Me" box. Check the box and the system will send you an e-mail with your password (provided your correct e-mail address has been entered on the ADMIN screen).
Due Date & Time
All time cards are due from supervisors to Payroll by 10:00 a.m. sharp on time sheet Thursday (of non-payday week).
How To Reach Payroll
Call (714) 834-5744, or e-mail HCA Payroll at HCAPAYROLL@ochca.com.
If this article has been useful to you or if you have suggestions for future topics, please send an e-mail to HCAPAYROLL@ochca.com.
Employee Health Services is gearing up for the start of their annual program to provide influenza vaccine to Orange County employees.
The County employee flu shot program will begin on October 23rd, with flu shots to be offered at selected work sites around the county, as well as at Employee Health Services, where flu shots will be available Monday through Friday from 10 _ 11:30 a.m. Employee Health Services is located at 405 W. 5th Street, Suite 601, Santa Ana 92701. Flu shots will be offered to County employees at the reasonable cost of $11. In addition, flu shots will be offered free of charge to County employees who are eligible for the annual flu shot program conducted by Public Health that is designed to protect those at higher risk of the complications of influenza. These include people 50 years of age and older, those with chronic medical conditions like heart and lung disease, pregnant women and health care workers who provide direct patient care.
Some County health plans, such as Kaiser and Cigna, also provide flu shots free of charge to plan members, so you can also check with your health plan about the availability of flu shots. An annual flu shot is still the best defense against influenza, so by getting a flu shot each year, you can protect your health and the health of others around you.
The County's Human Resources Employee Benefits Division will present a lunch-n-learn seminar on "Navigating the Benefits Center Web Site" to be held Tuesday, October 24th from 12 Noon to 1 p.m. in Room 433 at HCA's 405 W. 5th Street building in Santa Ana. Seminar topics will include details on the types of information available on the web site, helpful features, and useful tools and resources available at your fingertips. Learn how to navigate 24/7 through the Benefits Center Web Site with ease. Please bring your lunch and join the County's Human Resources Employee Benefits Division for this informative seminar.
What's UP is a newsletter for employees of the County of Orange, CA, Health Care Agency.
Editors Tricia Landquist
Howard Sutter
Anne Fialcowitz
Phone (714) 834-6644
E-mail tlandquist@ochca.com
FAX (714) 834-7644
Pony Bldg. 38-S, 4th Floor
American Diabetes Month
Jaw Joints - TMJ Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
National Epilepsy Awareness Month
National Family Caregivers Month
National Health Skin Month
National Hospice Month
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
GERD Awareness Week 19-25
Prematurity Awareness Day 21
|
HCA Home | Accessibility | Directory | Newsletters | What's Up ©2008 Orange County Health Care Agency |