Rep. Dan Howell
A bill sponsored by Rep. Dan Howell and Senator Mike Bell aimed at helping smaller hospitals like the one in Copper Basin, passed the House on Thursday.
Rep. Howell said the bill applies to small hospitals in Tennessee with less than 30 beds. He said it will allow small hospitals more flexibility in hiring hospital lab personnel.
He stated, "Historically they could not compete for employees with the large hospitals. Those with six-year degrees would often go to a small hospital like Copper Basin, get experience, then leave for more pay at a large hospital.
"This bill allows them to hire a lab supervisor to run the day-to-day operation of the lab, (instead of a director), who will report to a person with a higher degree.
"The supervisor must have at least 'a three-year undergraduate degree in any medical science, plus a one-year degree of training in Medical Laboratory Science.' This should help the small hospitals be more competitive for qualified employees."
Rep. Howell said he worked with the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee chapter of the Association of clinical laboratory science to write the bill.
He said, "I hope this will enhance Copper Basin Hospital's ability to continue to provide quality care for residents in the region.".