HMS looking for help

Progress on the North Platte Valley Medical Center has generated a lot of interest from the medical community seeking long-term employment, but the Saratoga Care Center has urgent, current need for skilled nurses according to Mark Pesognelli, administrator for the Care Center and Platte Valley Clinic.

“This would be an opportunity for someone to be a part of the historic first team when the hospital opens its doors next year,” Pesognelli said, noting the entire Care Center and its staff will be incorporated into NPVMC when it is complete. Pesognelli said the immediate need is for two RNs for the Care Center, but the management company, HMS, is accepting resumes and letters of interest in a wide range of positions to staff the hospital on its completion. HMS will be seeking additional nurses and providers as well as help in areas such as IT, maintenance, nursing, therapy, imaging and supply, he said.

“We’ve poured the first cement pads and we expect the steel to start going up next week,” Pesognelli said. “Things are going to start to look a lot different and everything is on track for us to meet our construction schedule of August.”

In the interim Pesognelli said the Platte Valley Clinic has made arrangements with Physician Assistant Jim Zimmerman to see patients while Dr. Adrian Durham fulfills his Air Force Reserve commitment. Zimmerman will remain at least through the end of August. Zimmerman, who comes from near Baggs, has 28 years of experience as a PA but has been working “locum tenens” or in travelling positions in recent years.

Pesognelli also said the clinic will permanently welcome back Ruby Ayers, who previously worked at the clinic as a nurse practitioner, at the end of August. Ayers has been working in an ER in Odessa, WA hospital but is eager to return with her husband to the North Platte Valley, he said. Among the skills she will bring back to the Valley is the ability to start a Suboxone clinic to aid in recovery from opioid addiction.

Both Ayers and Zimmerman are qualified to perform DOT physicals and testing to certify drivers for commercial driver’s licenses, which will save drivers and their companies a trip to Rawlins or Laramie.

“We are going to have a lot of opportunities in a number of areas, and we’re encouraging professionals — especially nurses — to get in touch with us soon,” Pesognelli said.

Interested persons can fill out a job application on the HMS website at hmsmt.com or speak with Heidi Sifford or Mark Pesognelli at the Platte Valley Clinic, 307-326-3169.