PERSONS OF A HOSPITAL DISTRICT - BOARDS, SUPERINTENDENTS, MANAGEMENT, EMPLOYEES AND MEDICAL STAFF

Revised December 2004

A. CHAPTER OUTLINE

B. CHAPTER SUMMARY

C. COMMISSIONERS AND THEIR ELECTION

• Section Summary
• How A Public Board Differs From A Private Board
• Role Of Commissioners And The Board
• Forms Of Commissioner Action
• Number Of Hospital District Commissioners On The Board
• Increasing The Number Of Commissioners
• Terms Of Office
• Qualification For Office
• Running For Office: The Election Process
  • Washington Election Laws, Generally
  • Election Law Requirements
  • When Are Elections Held?
  • When And How Must A Candidate File?
  • What Financial Information Must Candidates Disclose?
  • Who Should Campaign?
  • Who Pays For The Costs Of Elections?
  • Death of Non Partisan Election Candidates
• Vacancies And Replacements Of Commissioners
• Oath Of Commissioners
• Public Disclosure Of Finances
  • Penalties
• Compensation And Reimbursement Of Expenses
• Commissioner Education
• Meetings Of The Board
  • Agendas
• Committees
• Commissioner Liability

D. SUPERINTENDENTS/ADMINISTRATORS

• Appointment, Removal And Compensation
  • More Than One Superintendent?
• Powers Of The Superintendent
• Duties Of The Superintendent
• Characteristic Functions Of A Superintendent
• Superintendent As Municipal Officer

E. TREASURER

• Section Summary
• How To Designate A Treasurer
• Duties Of Treasurer

F. DISTRICT AUDITOR

G. EMPLOYEES

• Section Summary
• Public Employee Law, Generally
• Right To Strike
• Implementation Of An Offer
• Duration Of Contracts
• Public Employee Hiring And Firing, Generally
• Public Employee Wage And Hour Laws, Generally
  • Exemptions
  • Compensatory Time
  • Holidays
  • Holidays Falling On Saturday Or Sunday
• Chaplains

H. MEDICAL STAFF

• Section Summary
• Issues Regarding Medical Staff Bylaws
• Antitrust
  • Local Government Antitrust Act
  • State Action Doctrine
• Due Process
• Appeal Of A Public Hospital’s Action
• Commissioners’ Deliberations
• Conflicts Of Interest
  • Physician As Board Member
  • Other Conflicts Of Interest
• Gift Of Public Funds
• Expense Reimbursement
• Business Ventures With Physicians

I. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT ISSUES, GENERALLY

• Section Summary
• Setting Salaries And Wages
  • Commissioners
  • Superintendent
  • Employees
• District Self-Insuring
  • Exceptions
  • Approvals
  • Fees
  • Audits
• State Provided Benefits
  • Retirement System
  • Health Benefits Program
• Employee Pensions
  • Qualified Plans
• Other Retirement Vehicles
  • Pension Plan Investments
• Expense Reimbursement Issues
  • Generally
  • Expense Reimbursement Procedures
  • Charge Cards
  • Advances
  • Bonuses/Incentive Awards

J. CONTRACTING FOR WORK AND SERVICES

• Section Summary
• Contracting For Professional Services
  • Contractors
  • Realtors
  • Architects And Engineers

K. THE CODE OF ETHICS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

• Section Summary
• General Prohibition Of Conflicts
  • What Is A Municipal Officer?
  • What Contracts Are Exempt?
  • The “Remote Interest” Exemption
  • Serving On The Board Of A Separate Organization
• Consequences
• Common Law Restrictions
• Association With A Non-Profit Organization
  • Unclear Language