Los Angeles County Municipal Code Part 4 New Management Physician Pay Plan

This Part 4 of Chapter 6.08 shall be known as the "New Management Physician Pay Plan." There will continue to be a Part 2 "Physician Pay Plan" under which Management Physicians currently receiving a stipend through a medical school affiliation agreement will be compensated. As the new affiliation agreement amendment is approved and signed by the Regents of the

University of California and the County Board of Supervisors, the Physicians affected by that newly signed agreement will be compensated pursuant to the Part 4 "New Management Physician Pay Plan."

Following approval and signature of the new affiliation agreement amendment by the University of Southern California and the County Board of Supervisors, except as set forth below in Section 6.08.430B.3 and B.4, non-tenured Physicians affected by that newly signed agreement shall make a choice of being either a County employee, University employee, or maintaining current status as a County employee and a University employee. Those Physicians choosing County employment will be compensated pursuant to the Part 4 "New Management Physician Pay Plan." Those Physicians choosing University employment will resign from County employment. Those non-tenured Physicians choosing to maintain their current status as a County and University employee and all tenured Physicians shall remain compensated pursuant to the Part 2 "Physician Pay Plan" and continue to receive compensation pursuant to the USC affiliation agreement as amended.

(Ord. 2010-0025 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2008-0025 § 2, 2008)

A.

"Affiliation Agreement" means an agreement between the County and a medical school.

B.

"Demotion" means a decrease in salary or a reduction from the E schedule to the D schedule.

C.

"Experience as a Physician" means all Physician experience except:

Experience as an intern; and

Experience in a residency necessary as a prerequisite to assignment in a medical specialty.

D.

"Full Day" means an additional work assignment performed or work product produced outside the employee's normal work schedule which, when considered in the aggregate, is determined by the department head to be substantially equivalent to a full days work assignment or work product. A Full Day also means one full work or paid leave day.

E.

"Internship" means the first year of postgraduate medical training.

F.

"Management Physician" means any Physician classification listed in Section 6.08.425B.

G.

"Physician" means any Management Physician classification listed in Section 6.08.425B.

H.

"Promotion" means an increase in salary or an increase from the D schedule to the E schedule. A promotion sets a new step anniversary date.

I.

"Residency" means the period of postgraduate specialized medical training subsequent to the internship.

J.

"Resident" means a Physician in the second and subsequent years of postgraduate specialized medical training.

K.

"Standby duty" means an off-duty period during which a Physician is on-call and:

Available for immediate return to work via contact by telephone or electronic paging device or by such other means as may be approved by the appointing power; or

Away from the Physician's regular work site but engaged in a telephone consultation or other actual work as a direct consequence of said on-call status.

(Ord. 2008-0025 § 3, 2008)

A.

Persons employed on any position whose salary is based on the Management Physician E Tables provided for in Section 6.26.040 of this code shall be compensated pursuant to the applicable provisions of Part 4 of this chapter and shall be placed on and moved to steps within the appropriate E range schedules as set forth in Sections 6.08.425, 6.08.435, and 6.08.440.

B.

The Management Physician E Tables provided in Section 6.26.040 shall apply to positions compensated pursuant to those tables on the effective date shown for each table.

(Ord. 2010-0025 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2008-0025 § 4, 2008)

Physicians and Dental Directors shall be compensated pursuant to the provisions of this Part 4 unless excluded by the terms of a specific provision within this Part 4.

(Ord. 2012-0017 § 18, 2012; Ord. 2008-0025 § 5, 2008)

A.

1. Management Physicians (Item Nos. 5464, 5465, and 5466) who currently practice no medical specialty shall be compensated as noted below pursuant to the Management E Schedule currently in effect:

Compensation of Physicians. Management Physicians (Item Nos. 5456, 5457, 5458, and 5459) in the following specialties shall be compensated on the indicated schedules of the effective Management E Schedule effective January 1, 2025:

Medical Specialty 5456 Sr. Phys. 5457 Chief Phys. I 5458 Chief Phys. II 5459 Chief Phys. III

Specialty assignment of Physicians. Specialty assignment shall be dependent upon the physician's privileges and by specific physician assignment. Each physician's specialty assignment shall be determined by the department.

B.

Compensation of Management Physicians and Dental Directors. The following Management Physician and Dental Director classifications shall be compensated on the indicated schedule of the effective E Table effective January 1, 2025, as follows:

C.

Compensation of Dental Directors engaged in the practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Effective January 1, 2019, a Dental Director I (Item No. 4776) engaged in the practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery shall be compensated on Schedule E30 of the Management Physician Pay Plan and a Dental Director II (Item No. 4777) engaged in the practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery shall be compensated on Schedule E32 of the Management Physician Pay Plan.

(Ord. 2025-0021 § 1, 2025; Ord. 2024-0059 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2019-0055 § 1, 2019; Ord. 2019-0043 § 2, 2019; Ord. 2016-0024 § 4, 2016; Ord. 2014-0046 § 4, 2014; Ord. 2014-0020 § 15, 2014; Ord. 2012-0058 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2012-0035 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2011-0046 § 12, 2011; Ord. 2010-0025 § 3, 2010; Ord. 2008-0059 § 5, 2008; Ord. 2008-0049 § 2, 2008; Ord. 2008-0036 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2008-0025 § 6, 2008.)

A.

Eligible Participants. Physicians and Dental Directors eligible for compensation pursuant to this Part 4 of Chapter 6.08 (the "New Management Physician Pay Plan") shall be any Management Physician or Dental Director who is receiving no stipend from a medical school, except as set forth under paragraphs B.3 and B.4 below.

Each Physician and Dental Director who is eligible shall be compensated under the New Management Physician Pay Plan effective January 1, 2008 or the date the Physician or Dental Director meets the conditions set forth in said paragraphs, whichever occurs later.

B.

Step Placement Upon Transition to New Management Physician Pay Plan. Each Physician or Dental Director who is eligible for the New Management Physician Pay Plan who, immediately prior to becoming eligible, received compensation pursuant to Part 2 of this Chapter 6.08 (the "Old Physician Pay Plan"), shall be initially placed in the designated Management Physician E pay range as follows:

Each such Physician or Dental Director who, immediately prior to becoming eligible for the New Management Physician Pay Plan, received a stipend under the Regents of the University of California (UCLA) medical school affiliation agreement as amended and approved by the board of supervisors and in effect immediately prior to January 1, 2008 ("Old UCLA Medical School Agreement") shall be placed at the nearest step in the designated new Management Physician E range that does not result in a reduction in pay, effective July 1, 2008. "Pay" for this purpose shall mean the sum of a) the monthly stipend received under the Old Medical School Agreement, and b) the Physician's regular monthly salary under the Old Physician Pay Plan exclusive of any bonus for board certification in a medical specialty or special rate received pursuant to Section 6.10.150C of this code. In no event shall any Physician simultaneously receive compensation under the New Management Physician Pay Plan and Section 6.10.150C of this code. In any case where such pay exceeds the top step of the designated Management Physician E schedule, the Physician shall be paid at a special monthly rate, exclusive of any bonus for board certification in a medical specialty, that equals said pay and that maintains over time the same percentage differential between such rate and the top step of the designated Management Physician E schedule. Such special monthly rate shall constitute a base rate.

Except as set forth under paragraphs 3 and 4 below, each such Physician or Dental Director who received a stipend for providing teaching services at the university as a non-tenured professor under the University of Southern California (USC) medical school affiliation agreement as amended and approved by the board of supervisors and in effect immediately prior to January 1, 2008 ("Old USC Medical School Agreement") shall choose one of the following employment options: 1) maintain County employment, resign university professorship and stipend, and be placed on the New Management Physician Pay Plan; 2) resign from County service, maintain USC employment and compensation; or 3) maintain current employment status

as a County physician paid pursuant to Part 2 of Chapter 6.08 (the "Old Physician Pay Plan") and continue to receive a stipend under the new USC affiliation agreement as amended and approved by the board of supervisors November 25, 2008.

Those physicians choosing employment option 1) shall be placed at the nearest step in the designated new Management Physician E range that does not result in a reduction in pay, effective July 1, 2008. "Pay" for this purpose shall mean the sum of a) the monthly stipend received under the Old USC Medical School Agreement, and b) the Physician's regular monthly salary under the Old Physician Pay Plan exclusive of any bonus for board certification in a medical specialty or special rate received pursuant to Section 6.10.150C of this code. In no event shall any Physician simultaneously receive compensation under the New Management Physician Pay Plan and Section 6.10.150C of this code or simultaneously receive compensation under the New Management Physician Pay Plan and a University. In any case where such pay exceeds the top step of the designated Management Physician E schedule, the Physician shall be paid at a special monthly rate, exclusive of any bonus for board certification in a medical specialty, that equals said pay and that maintains over time the same percentage differential between such rate and the top step of the designated Management Physician E schedule. Such special monthly rate shall constitute a base rate.

Those physicians choosing employment option 3), and those physicians who make no choice as set forth herein, shall continue to be paid pursuant to Part 2 of Chapter 6.08 (the "Old Physician Pay Plan") and continue to receive a stipend under the new USC medical school affiliation agreement as amended and approved by the board of supervisors November 25, 2008.

The Physician who received a stipend for providing teaching services at the university as a non-tenured professor under the University of Southern California (USC) medical school affiliation agreement as amended and approved by the board of supervisors and in effect immediately prior to January 1, 2008 ("Old USC Medical School Agreement"), who holds the University position of Associate Academic Administrator, and is the Designated Institutional Official receiving compensation for the Designated Institutional Officer, under the USC medical school affiliation agreement as amended and approved by the board of supervisors November 25, 2008, shall continue to receive such compensation for the position of Designated Institutional Officer.

Any Physician who simultaneously holds the County position of Medical Director and the University position of Academic Administrator under a USC medical school affiliation agreement, as amended and approved by the board of supervisors, shall continue to receive University compensation for the position of Academic Administrator.

Each such Physician as described in subparagraphs a and b above shall also be placed at the nearest step in the designated new Management Physician E range that does not result in a reduction in pay. "Pay" for this purpose shall mean the sum of a) the monthly stipend received under the Old USC Medical School Agreement, except with respect to the compensation for position of the Designated Institutional Officer or Academic Administrator as applicable, and b) the Physician's regular monthly salary under the Old Physician Pay Plan exclusive of any bonus for board certification in a medical specialty or special rate received pursuant to Section 6.10.150C of this code. In no event shall any Physician simultaneously receive compensation under the New Management Physician Pay Plan and Section 6.10.150C of this code. Except as described in paragraph 3 or 4 above, no Physician shall simultaneously receive compensation under the New Management Physician Pay Plan and a University. In any case where such pay exceeds the top step of the designated Management Physician E schedule, the Physician shall be paid at a special monthly rate, exclusive of any bonus for board certification in a medical specialty, that equals said pay and that maintains over time the same percentage differential between such rate and the top step of the designated Management Physician E schedule. Such special monthly rate shall constitute a base rate.

Each such Physician or Dental Director who, immediately prior to becoming eligible for the New Management Physician Pay Plan, received no stipend under an Old Medical School Affiliation Agreement shall be placed at the nearest step in the designated new Management Physician E range that does not result in a reduction in the Physician's regular monthly salary under the Old Physician Pay Plan exclusive of any bonus for board certification in a medical specialty, effective January 1, 2008.

Step placement pursuant to paragraph 1, 2, 5 or 6 above shall set a new step anniversary date.

C.

No Salary Below the Minimum of the Salary Range. In no event shall any Physician's or Dental Director's salary, exclusive of any bonus for board certification in a medical specialty, fall below the minimum of the designated Management Physician E range.

(Ord. 2010-0025 § 4, 2010; Ord. 2008-0025 § 7, 2008)

A.

Management Physicians. Original appointment to these positions shall be at the rate designated as the first step, except in the case of transfer, demotion, promotion, or special step placement.

B.

Dental Directors. Any person appointed to Dental Director I (Item No. 4776) or Dental Director II (Item No. 4777) who has less than one year of experience as a dentist, exclusive of an internship and residency, shall be placed on Step 3 of the applicable schedule. Any person so appointed who has at least two years' experience as a dentist, exclusive of an internship and residency, shall be placed one step higher in the range for each two years of such experience to a maximum of five additional steps.

C.

Special Step Placement Provisions. At the request of the department head, the chief executive officer may approve the placement of any Physician or Dental Director compensated pursuant to this Part 4 at any step of the appropriate schedule of the Management Physician E Table.

D.

Critical Shortage Range. A critical shortage range is an alternative range which is at least one schedule, but not more than ten schedules, above the salary schedule established for a Physician or Dental Director class in this Part 4 and any applicable monthly bonus which is established in this Part 4.

Determination of Range. When requested by the department head and the chief executive officer finds, after investigation, that a critical shortage exists for certain positions within a Physician or Dental Director classification, he may approve the establishment of a critical shortage range.

Establishment of Range. The chief executive officer may establish such a critical shortage range by authorizing the appointment of persons to specific positions within a classification at the specific alternate critical shortage range designated by the chief executive officer.

Application of Range. The range may apply to a permanent or temporary position, regardless of whether it is compensated on a monthly, daily, or hourly basis. The rate may apply to any type of appointment, such as original, promotion, or reinstatement, except an appointment resulting from an involuntary demotion.

Effect on Filled Positions. A person already employed in a position to which a critical shortage range applies and whose base rate is less than the established range shall be advanced to the established range.

Step Advancement and Promotion. Persons receiving compensation pursuant to this section shall be entitled to step advancement and step placement upon promotion as designated by the chief executive officer.

Annual Review. At least once annually, the chief executive officer shall review all critical shortage ranges and may discontinue the authority to appoint persons to a critical shortage range if he finds that critical shortage no longer exists and the needs of the county have been met. The current rate of pay of any person already employed shall not be affected by such discontinuation; however, further advancement shall be limited to that fixed by this Part 4 for his position.

Not a Base Rate. Critical shortage ranges approved pursuant to this section do not constitute a base rate.

(Ord. 2019-0043 § 3, 2019; Ord. 2008-0025 § 8, 2008)

A.

Any person appointed to a permanent position in a Management Physician or Dental Director classification listed in subsection B of Section 6.08.425 shall be advanced one step within the applicable range for each year of continuous service until the top step of the range is reached. Step advancement pursuant to this subsection A shall occur on the step anniversary date as defined in Section 6.08.460.

B.

Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, any person for whom an "unsatisfactory," "improvement needed," "needs improvement meeting expectations," or "failed to meet expectations" performance evaluation has been filed with the director of personnel shall not be granted a step advancement until a "competent" or better rating is filed.

C.

Subsection A of this Section shall not be operative until the Chief Executive Officer adopts performance standards relating to Physician step advances.

(Ord. 2008-0025 § 9, 2008)

A.

Critical Shortage. When the Chief Executive Officer finds, after investigation, that an existing or impending critical shortage exists in a medical or surgical specialty, he or the Board of Supervisors may authorize the establishment of a recruitment rate for a position compensated pursuant to which does not exceed twice the rate established for the position under Section 6.28.050 of this code.

B.

Overtime Compensation.

Subject to the prior authorization by the chief executive officer, whenever it is medically required for a Physician or Dental Director to be assigned by his department head to perform overtime work in excess of his regular workweek or workday and such work is performed at a county medical facility, he shall be compensated at his straight-time rate as defined in Section 6.15.060 unless he qualifies for the rate set forth in paragraph 2 of this subsection B or in subsection A above. All overtime shall be recorded at the Management Physician's or Dental Director's regular work location even though the overtime may have been worked at some other work location. In such instances, the medical directors at both work locations shall agree in advance to the overtime at the second location. A Physician or Dental Director may be credited with one Full Day of compensatory time-off for each Full Day of pre-approved overtime worked, provided that no more Full Days of compensatory time-off may be accumulated by an employee at any one time than are authorized by regulations issued by the chief executive officer.

Unused compensatory time off accrued during the period October 1, 1993 through June 30, 1994 shall be paid to the employee at the straight-time rate as defined in Section 6.15.060 in effect as of the date of payment, at the employee's option, on or after August 1, 1995, or upon termination from county service.

C.

Standby Compensation. Effective March 1, 2019, Physicians in the Department of Health Services assigned to standby duty as defined in Section 6.08.410K, shall receive $10.00 per hour during said assignment. All other Physicians so assigned shall receive $7.67 per hour. Such compensation shall constitute said Management Physician's total compensation during said assignment. Assignment to standby duty requires the prior annual authorization of the Chief Executive Officer.

D.

Evening and Night Shift Differential. Effective March 1, 2019, a Physician in the Department of the Medical Examiner-Coroner who is assigned to a regularly established evening or night shift, as defined in Section 6.10.020, shall receive additional compensation of $7.00 per hour for each hour worked during the evening or night shift.

E.

Weekend Differential. Effective March 1, 2019, a Physician in the Department of the Medical Examiner-Coroner shall receive additional compensation of $7.00 per hour for each hour worked during a weekend. A weekend shall be defined as any hours occurring between the hours of 7:00 p.m. Friday and 7:00 a.m. Monday.

F.

Special Compensation Limitations.

No combination of pay under the provisions of subsections C, and/or D of this section shall exceed 60 percent of a Physician's base monthly salary, calculated twice each month; once for the period of the first through the 15th of the month and once for the period of the 16th through the end of the month.

In no event shall a Physician receive compensation for overtime during a period of standby duty.

G.

Promotion.

Any person employed in the classification of Physician Specialist (Non Megaflex) (Item No. 5476), Senior Physician (Item No. 5456), Supervising Mental Health Psychiatrist (Item No. 4737), Chief Physician I (Item No. 5457), Chief Mental Health Psychiatrist (Item No. 4739), Chief Physician II (Item No. 5458), and Chief Physician III (Item No. 5459), who receives a promotion as defined in Section 6.08.410 of this code, shall be placed on the step in the range on the E Schedule for the higher-level classification that provides an increase in salary over the salary in the lower-level classification to which he was entitled based upon experience only, which is equivalent to the number of steps listed below:

Repealed.

All other persons promoted to a higher-level position in accordance with the Physician Pay Plan shall be placed on the step in the appropriate E range which provides an increase in salary.

H.

Reinstatement. When an employee is reinstated following separation from county service, he shall be initially step placed pursuant to the provisions of this Part 4 of Chapter 6.08 as if he were entering county service for the first time. The date of reinstatement shall set a new anniversary date.

I.

Placement in Salary Range. By specific action, the board of supervisors or the chief executive officer may provide for salary placement of a Physician or Dental Director at any rate within the established Salary Range for the position which he holds.

(Ord. 2019-0043 § 4, 2019; Ord. 2018-0047 § 21, 2018; Ord. 2016-0024 § 5, 2016; Ord. 2014-0020 § 16, 2014; Ord. 2008- 0025 § 10, 2008)

A.

Effective October 1, 2022, any person appointed to the position of Senior Physician (Item No. 5456), Chief Physician I (Item No. 5457), Chief Physician II (Item No. 5458), Chief Physician III (Item No. 5459), Supervising Mental Health Psychiatrist (Item No. 4737), Chief Mental Health Psychiatrist (Item No. 4739), or Mental Health Clinical Chief (UC) (Item No. 4718) who has obtained certification by the appropriate American Medical Specialty Board or by the appropriate American Osteopathic Association in the specialty to which the Physician is assigned, shall receive additional compensation as follows:

Any person so appointed who, on June 30, 1979, was receiving credit for three additional steps for board certification pursuant to subsection A of Section 6.08.435 or subsection B of Section 6.08.440 of this Part 4 on said date and who has remained continuously assigned to the specialty for which said credit was granted shall receive a flat monthly bonus equal to 8.25 percent of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which he is entitled based upon experience. Such bonus shall only be given for certification in one specialty.

All other persons shall receive a flat-rate monthly bonus equal to 5.5 percent of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which they are entitled based upon experience. Such bonus shall only be given for certification in one specialty.

B.

In lieu of obtaining certification by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, any person appointed to the position of Senior Physician (Item No. 5456), Chief Physician I (Item No. 5457), Chief Physician II (Item No. 5458), or Chief Physician III (Item No. 5459), who was assigned on or before June 30, 1981 to emergency medicine and has completed three years of specialized experience in emergency medicine, shall receive a flat monthly bonus equal to 5.5 percent of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which he is entitled based upon experience. In no event shall persons appointed to emergency medicine on or after July 1, 1981 receive a bonus pursuant to this subsection.

C.

Effective October 1, 2022, any person appointed to the position of Head Dentist (Item No. 4769), Dental Director I (Item No. 4776), or Dental Director II (Item No. 4777) who has obtained certification by the American Dental Association, the American Board of General Dentistry, or a nationally recognized Dental Board (approved by the Department) in the specialty to which they are assigned, shall receive a flat-rate monthly bonus equal to 5.5 of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which they are entitled based upon experience. This bonus will become effective the first pay period following written proof by the employee, in the form of an official copy of the certification received, being submitted to the departmental Human Resources Office. Bonus pay shall be effective so long as the board certifications remain active and/or the employee's assignment in aid specialty continues. Should an employee's certification become inactive and/or should the employee no longer be assigned to said specialty, the bonus pay shall cease being effective the last date of active status and/or the last date of the specialty assignment. Compensation pursuant to this section shall not constitute a base rate.

D.

Any person appointed to the position of Medical Director I (Item No. 5463), Medical Director II (Item No. 5461), Medical Director II (UC) (Item No. 5462), Medical Director III (UC) (Item No. 5460); Medical Director, MD, Mental Health (Item No. 4567), Medical Director, M.D., Mental Health (UC) (Item No. 4574), Medical Director, Public Health (UC) (Item No. 4577), or Medical Director, Medical Examiner (UC) (Item No. 5402) shall receive a flat rate monthly bonus pursuant to one of the following:

For one (1) year of experience in any residency, 2.75 percent of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which he is entitled based upon experience;

For two (2) years of experience in any residency, 5.5 percent of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which he is entitled based upon experience; and

For three (3) or more years of experience in any residency, 8.25 percent of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which he is entitled based upon experience.

E.

A Physician in the Department of Health Services, Public Health, or Department of Medical Examiner who is assigned to act in the absence of the medical director of a hospital, correctional health facility, the Department of Public Health, or the Department of Medical Examiner shall receive a flat-rate monthly bonus equal to 5.5 percent of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which he is entitled based upon experience. No more than one such assignment may be made in each hospital, correctional health facility , the Department of Public Health, or the Department of Medical Examiner. Such assignment requires prior annual authorization of the Chief Deputy Director, Health Services, Clinical and Medical Affairs (UC) (Item No. 4552), the Director of Public Health (Item No. 4546), or the Chief Medical Examiner (Item No. 5405) and the Chief Executive Officer.

F.

Any Physician who is appointed in accordance with this Part 4 of Chapter 6.08 who is assigned to work at Los Angeles High Desert Health System and who was so assigned prior to January 1, 1986, shall receive a flat monthly bonus equal to 8.25 percent of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which he is entitled based upon experience; provided, however, that in no event shall a Physician receive said bonus if he is receiving compensation pursuant to Section 6.08.445 or 6.10.050.

G.

Effective January 1, 2025, a Physician in the Department of Health Services or in the Department of Public Health agreeing to work at a facility in the Los Angeles County High Desert Health System shall receive a per-occasion bonus of fifty seven dollars ($57.00) per hour. To qualify for the bonus, the Physician must be on site to provide direct patient care. Physicians will be required to work hours equivalent to a half shift of their permanent work assignment or a full shift of their permanent work assignment. Physicians providing services via telehealth shall not qualify for the bonus.

H.

Effective June 1, 2024, any Department of Health Services or Department of Mental Health Supervising Mental Health Psychiatrist or Chief Mental Health Psychiatrist agreeing to work at a facility in the High Desert Health System shall receive a per-occasion bonus of forty dollars ($40) per hour. To qualify for the bonus, the Supervising Mental Health Psychiatrist or Chief Mental Health Psychiatrist must be on site to provide direct patient care. The Supervising Mental Health Psychiatrist or Chief Mental Health Psychiatrist will be required to work hours equivalent to either a half shift of their permanent work assignment or a full shift of their permanent work assignment. Services provided via telehealth or telemedicine shall not qualify for the bonus. Any person who ceases to be eligible for any credit provided in this section shall cease to receive said credit. This bonus shall not constitute a base rate.

I.

A Physician employed as a Supervising Mental Health Psychiatrist, Chief Mental Health Psychiatrist, or Mental Health Clinical Chief (UC) who is continuously assigned to work in a county jail mental health facility supervising the evaluation and treatment of mental patients, during such assignment, shall receive additional compensation equal to 5.5 percent of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which the Physician is assigned.

J.

Upon the transfer of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department − Medical Services Bureau staff into the Department of Health Services, a Physician in Family Practice or Internal Medicine - General, who is continuously assigned to work in a

County jail health facility, during such assignment, shall receive additional compensation equal to 5.5 percent of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which the Physician is assigned.

K.

Effective March 1, 2019, a Head Dentist (Item No. 4769), Dental Director I (Item No. 4776), or Dental Director II (Item No. 4777) permanently assigned to a Los Angeles County Juvenile Correctional (Detention) Health Services facility shall receive additional compensation equal to 5.5 percent of the step on the appropriate E schedule to which the Dentist is assigned.

L.

Effective November 1, 2015, a Physician employed as a Supervising Mental Health Psychiatrist or Chief Mental Health Psychiatrist, who is certified by the appropriate American Specialty Board in Child Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, or Addiction Medicine shall receive additional compensation equal to 2.75 percent of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which the Physician is assigned. Effective March 1, 2019, a Physician employed as a Supervising Mental Health Psychiatrist or Chief Mental Health Psychiatrist who is certified by the appropriate American Specialty Board in Geriatric Psychiatry or Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry shall receive additional compensation equal to 2.75 percent of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which the Physician is assigned. Effective March 19, 2019, a Physician employed as a Mental Health Clinical Chief (UC) (Item No. 4718) who is certified by the appropriate American Specialty Board in Child Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, Geriatric Psychiatry, or Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry shall receive additional compensation equal to 2.75 percent of the step on the appropriate E schedule to which the Physician is assigned. Effective October 1, 2022, a Supervising Mental Health Psychiatrist, Chief Mental Health Psychiatrist, or Mental Health Clinical Chief (UC) (Item No. 4718) who is certified by the American Osteopathic Association in Child Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, Geriatric Psychiatry, or Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry shall receive additional compensation equal to 2.75 percent of the step on the appropriate D schedule to which the Physician is assigned. This bonus shall not constitute a base rate.

M.

Effective March 1, 2019, any Department of Health Services Physician permanently assigned to work in a Los Angeles County Medical Hub Clinic, when privileged by the Department to provide care in Forensic Pediatrics, shall receive additional compensation equal to 5.5 percent of the step on the appropriate E Schedule to which the Physician is assigned.

N.

Effective June 1, 2024, any Department of Health Services Physician assigned to Addiction Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Care, Genetics and Genomics, or Radiation - Radiation/Oncology permanently assigned to work at a Department of Health Services facility shall receive additional compensation equal to 5.5 percent of the step on the appropriate D schedule to which the Physician is assigned when privileged by the facility to perform those services and the individual has the associated Board specialty or subspecialty certification. This bonus shall not be combined with other board specialty bonuses.

O.

Any person who ceases to be eligible for any credit provided in this Section 6.08.450 shall cease to receive said credit.

(Ord. 2025-0021 § 2, 2025; Ord. 2024-0059 § 2, 2024; Ord. 2022-0015 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2019-0055 § 2, 2019; Ord. 2019-0043 § 5, 2019; Ord. 2018-0047 § 22, 2018; Ord. 2017-0031 § 1, 2017; Ord. 2016-0024 § 6, 2016; Ord. 2014-0046 § 5, 2014; Ord. 2014-0020 § 17, 2014; Ord. 2011-0046 § 13, 2011; Ord. 2009-0008 §§ 1, 2, 2009; Ord. 2008-0059 § 6, 2008; Ord. 2008-0025 § 11, 2008)

A.

Beginning on the effective date, a Physician employed as a Clinic Physician, MD (Item No. 5469) or Clinic Physician, MD (Per Session) (Item No. 5468) shall be compensated at the rates shown in the following table. A Physician shall not be compensated as a Clinic Physician, MD (Per Session) (Item No. 5468) at the session rate without prior approval of the Department Head. In no event shall the aggregate compensation of a Physician provided for in this subsection A exceed the annual compensation limit shown in the following table during any one calendar year.

B.

Beginning on the effective date, a Physician employed as a Consulting Specialist, MD (Item No. 5471) shall be compensated at the hourly rates shown in the following table, unless the Department Head has specifically authorized compensation on a per-session basis, in which case the Physician shall be compensated as a Consulting Specialist, MD (Per Session) (Item No. 5472) at the session rate shown in the following table. In no event shall the aggregate compensation of a Physician provided for in this subsection B exceed the annual compensation limit shown in the following table during any one calendar year.

C.

Except as provided in subsections A and B of this section, any person employed on a temporary, hourly basis in the class of Physician, MD, Emergency Room (Item No. 5422) who is not on any other County item (except resident Physician or as approved in accordance with Section 6.08.470A) and who is assigned to work in a work area designated as an emergency room by the Director of Health Services shall be compensated at the rate of eighty-six dollars and fifty-two cents ($86.52) per hour for all hours worked as a temporary, hourly Physician. Also, any person employed on a regular Physician item, or on an item approved in accordance with Section 6.08.470A, who performs overtime work in such an emergency room shall be compensated at the rate of eighty-six dollars and fifty-two cents ($86.52) per hour for all overtime hours worked as a temporary, hourly Physician. If the Director of Health Services finds that there is a shortage of emergency room physicians which threatens the public health or safety, with the approval of the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Health Services may adjust the foregoing emergency room rate, or establish variable rates, as justified by the nature of the shortage by a percentage not to exceed fifty (50) percent during the period of the emergency room physician shortage. Effective October 1, 2015, the rate will change pursuant to the following schedule:

D.

Whenever it is medically required for a Physician who is not being paid under any other provision of this plan to be employed at a county hospital to perform an emergency operation or provide emergency care to a patient, the Physician shall be compensated at a rate equivalent to the relative value scale for such services. For purposes of this provision, "relative value scale" means the Official Minimum Medical Fee Schedule for Service Rendered under the California Workers' Compensation Laws, October 1, 1966, with a unit value of $6.50.

E.

Prior Approval. Upon the request of the department head, compensation may be made to a Physician pursuant to this Section 6.08.455 with the prior written approval of the chief executive officer, except in the case of emergency when its use must be reported within 24 hours.

(Ord. 2026-0004 § 11, 2026; Ord. 2024-0059 § 3, 2024; Ord. 2022-0046 § 26, 2022; Ord. 2019-0055 § 3, 2019; Ord. 2018- 0047 § 23, 2018; Ord. 2017-0031 § 2, 2017; Ord. 2017-0024 § 1, 2017; Ord. 2017-0006 § 1, 2017; Ord. 2015-0063 § 27, 2015; Ord. 2014-0020 § 18, 2014; Ord. 2014-0005 § 8, 2014; Ord. 2013-0037 § 9, 2013; Ord. 2013-0015 § 2, 2013; Ord. 2008-0049 § 3, 2008; Ord. 2008-0036 § 2, 2008; Ord. 2008-0025 § 12, 2008)

A.

Step Advance Anniversary Date. A step advance anniversary date shall be the date that an employee, paid pursuant to this Part 4 of Chapter 6.08, last received a step advance.

When a person's date for step advancement based on experience as described herein is between the first and the 15th of the month, such step advancement shall be made on the first day of that month, and if the date for said step advancement is between the 16th and the end of the month, such step advancement shall be made on the first of the following month.

Effective with the pay period ending April 15, 2012 and upon notification to the board of supervisors by the chief executive officer that the human resources management system implementing this provision is fully operational, the step advancement date based upon experience as described herein shall be made one year from the actual date of appointment to the subject position unless otherwise specified by this Code. Persons with anniversary dates set according to the rules in effect prior to the 2012 system implementation shall retain their anniversary date for their respective positions.

B.

Upon implementation of this New Management Physician Pay Plan, a step advance anniversary date shall be established that is one year from the date the Physician or Dental Director is transferred to the new plan. The step advance anniversary date for a Physician hired after the effective date of the new plan will be established in accordance with Section A of this provision 6.08.460.

C.

Special Credit Date.

When a person is to receive a credit for any reason described in Section 6.08.450, such credit shall be effective on the first of the month if eligibility for such credit is between the first and the 15th of the month, and shall be effective on the first of the following month if eligibility for such credit is between the 16th and the end of the month.

Effective with the pay period ending April 15, 2012 and upon notification to the board of supervisors by the chief executive officer that the human resources management system implementing this provision is fully operational, credit for any reason as described in Section 6.08.450 shall be effective on the actual date of eligibility. Persons with special credit dates set according to the rules in effect prior to the 2012 system implementation shall retain those dates for their respective positions.

(Ord. 2012-0017 § 19, 2012; Ord. 2008-0025 § 13, 2008)

A.

Upon authorization of the Chief Executive Officer, any Physician or Dental Director compensated under the New Management Physician Pay Plan shall be allowed time necessary to be absent from work at his regular pay to participate in seminars, conferences, and other professional forums, provided such participation is otherwise in accordance with procedures established in the Department of Health Services' Salary Only Travel Plan approved by the Board of Supervisors.

B.

Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A above, department provided in-service training shall not count towards the training day limitations on continuing medical education specified in those subsections; however, travel time to and from such continuing medical education shall be counted against those limitations on a day-for-day basis.

C.

Effective January 1, 2020, a full-time permanent Physician specializing in Pathology - Forensic in the Department of Medical Examiner shall receive a continuing education allowance of $1,000 per year to cover tuition, course registration, fees, and course materials. Payment shall be issued between January 1 and 15. The allowance shall not constitute a base rate. This section shall terminate effective September 30, 2021.

(Ord. 2023-0042 § 1, 2023; Ord. 2019-0043 § 6, 2019; Ord. 2008-0025 § 14, 2008)

A.

Except as provided in subsection B of this section, persons paid in accordance with the provisions of this Part 4 of Chapter 6.08 shall not hold more than one county position, except as otherwise approved by the chief executive officer.

B.

Any person employed as Physician Post Graduate (2nd year through 7th year) (Item No. 5411) or Supervisor of Residents, MD (Item 5415) may receive compensation pursuant to this Part 4 of Chapter 6.08 on the basis of employment on more than one physician item; provided, however, that in no event will that person receive compensation as a Mental Health Consultant, MD (Per Session) (Item No. 5467), Consulting Specialist, MD (Item No. 5471), or Consulting Specialist, MD (Per Session) (Item No. 5472).

(Ord. 2026-0004 § 12, 2026; Ord. 2017-0006 § 2, 2017; Ord. 2008-0025 § 15, 2008)