October 1
The changes in the local behavioral health system were effective yesterday, October 1. Pay cuts were announced for BHMP staff (psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, physician assistants) at one local clinic. Some of them walked out after hearing this. Some people might say so what, they make a lot of money, but the fact is their schedules are jam-packed all day long and they are under pressure to "produce" (bill as much as possible). They pretty much have earned every penny. Layoffs have started. Positions are simply eliminated. Just recently the agencies were hiring for staff like recovery coaches or peer support specialists. Now their job postings have mostly evaporated. It will be interesting to see how things go in the next month.