Common use of Low Census Fund Clause in Contracts

Low Census Fund. Following all of the above (a-d), if mandatory low census (as opposed to voluntary low census) hours are required, the Employer will assign other nursing-related duties, skill development or cross training consistent with organizational and, patient care needs as determined by the Employer to regular full-time and part-time nurses working their regular schedule, up to a maximum of two thousand (2,000) hours per calendar year. Where low census hours exceed two thousand (2,000) hours on a Hospital-wide basis within a calendar year, then nurses will be released from work due to low census conditions as provided for in Section 6.20. The maximum total hours in the fund will be discussed by both parties on an annual basis to determine if the amount is appropriate. The Low Census Fund is utilized for non-patient care projects but may involve some patient contact. The Employer will determine appropriate projects and will assign these projects to the staff. Projects appropriate for staff utilizing the Low Census Fund may include, but are not limited to: Skill development/cross training Patient chart audits Non-Mandatory and continuing education modules Department specific projects such as: re-ordering supplies organizing equipment rooms assisting other departments in auditing, organizing follow-up calls to patients. Nurses may request to go out of rotation order and utilize the Mandatory Low Census Fund, if available, for such assignments. If, during the course of a shift, the needed staffing hours increase on a unit as determined by the Charge RN, the Charge RN will notify the Nursing Supervisor and the remaining hours of the RN’s shift will be charged to the unit budget rather than to the Low Census Fund. The Low Census Fund shall not be available to nurses during that period of time that the Employer is subject to a ten (10) day strike notice, as provided for by Section 8(g) of the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947, as amended.

Low Census Fund. Following all of the above (a-d), if mandatory low census (as opposed to voluntary low census) hours are required, the Employer will assign other nursing-related duties, skill development or cross training consistent with organizational and, patient care needs as determined by the Employer to regular full-time and part-time nurses working their regular schedule, up to a maximum of two thousand 125 shifts (2,0001000 hours) hours per calendar year. Where low census hours shifts exceed two thousand 125 shifts (2,0001000 hours) hours on a Hospital-wide basis within a calendar year, then nurses will be released from work due to low census conditions as provided for in Section 6.20. The maximum total hours in the fund will be discussed by both parties on an annual basis to determine if the amount is appropriate. The Low Census Fund is utilized for non-patient care projects but may involve some patient contact. The Employer will determine appropriate projects and will assign these projects to the staff. Projects appropriate for staff utilizing the Low Census Fund may include, but are not limited to: Skill development/cross training Patient chart audits Non-Mandatory and continuing education modules Department specific projects such as: · re-ordering supplies · organizing equipment rooms · assisting other departments in auditing, organizing follow-up calls to patients. Nurses may request to go out of rotation order and utilize the Mandatory Low Census Fund, if available, for such assignments. If, during the course of a shift, the needed staffing hours increase on a unit as determined by the Charge RN, the Charge RN will notify the Nursing Supervisor and the remaining hours of the RN’s shift will be charged to the unit budget rather than to the Low Census Fund. The Low Census Fund shall not be available to nurses during that period of time that the Employer is subject to a ten (10) day strike notice, as provided for by Section 8(g) of the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947, as amended.