PeaceHealth’s new lab contract may affect 500 jobs​

Under a new agreement, Madison, N.J.-based Quest Diagnostics will assume management responsibilities for 11 PeaceHealth outreach laboratory services operations. If approved, the acquisition will lay off nearly 500 employees at the Vancouver, Wash.-based health system, according to The Columbian.

According to the professional laboratory services agreement, PeaceHealth will maintain ownership of all 11 facilities. Officials expect to complete the transaction in the second quarter of 2017, subject to regulatory review. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

If approved, PeaceHealth will reportedly terminate 500 individuals — more than half of its 906 total laboratory employees, according to The Columbian. Effected employees will reportedly be contacted by Feb. 24 and receive information regarding specific timing, job openings, counseling, spiritual care and outplacement support services, according to the article.

Quest will reportedly hire up to 275 individuals for positions at its Oregon and Washington locations. PeaceHealth employees are encouraged to apply and if they meet the qualifications necessary for the positions, will be given priority status during the interview process, according to the article.

"PeaceHealth is an innovative health system dedicated to providing outstanding healthcare. Their choice of Quest Diagnostics to deliver diagnostic information services to their communities underscores our value in enabling health systems to optimize their lab strategies in and outside of the hospital setting," said Quest Diagnostics Chairman, President and CEO Steve Rusckowski. "It also delivers on our strategy to accelerate growth and drive operational excellence through strategically aligned, accretive acquisitions. We look forward to extending our expertise, innovations and commitment to empowering better health with diagnostic insights in the Pacific Northwest."

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