Sec. 18. (a) The administrator, as chief executive and administrative officer of the health center, has duties that, subject to the bylaws, rules, regulations, and powers of the board of managers, include the following:

(1) The administrator shall equip the health center with all necessary furniture, appliances, fixtures, and other necessary facilities for the care and treatment of patients and for the use of the officers and employees of the health center as prescribed by law. All necessary supplies and equipment shall be purchased through and under the laws, rules, and regulations of the central purchasing agency of the county. However, raw food purchases are the responsibility of the health center administrator. The administrator shall appoint the county purchasing agent or other deputy purchasing agent of the county purchasing agency to act as a health center central purchasing manager.

(2) The administrator shall maintain control of the records, accounts, and buildings of the health center.

(3) The administrator shall enforce all rules and regulations adopted by the board of managers for the government, discipline, and management of the health center and the health center's employees and patients. The administrator may make additional rules and regulations not inconsistent with the rules, regulations, and directions of the board of managers.

(4) The administrator shall, with the approval of the board of managers, appoint one (1) physician holding an unlimited license to practice medicine, surgery, and obstetrics in Indiana to the position of medical director of the health center or appoint a medical director for each division. In addition, the administrator shall do the following:

(A) Employ within the numbers and classes of employees and salary limits established by the board of commissioners and the county council in the annual budget the following:

(i) Physicians.

(ii) Department heads.

(iii) Nurses.

(iv) Other employees that the administrator considers proper and necessary for the efficient performance of the business of the health center.

(B) Prescribe the duties of each individual employed within the guidelines established by the board of managers.

(5) The administrator shall do the following:

(A) Cause proper accounts and records of business and operations of the health center to be kept regularly in books and records prescribed by the chart of accounts for hospitals and the state board of accounts.

(B) Use the accounts and records to prepare an annual report for the board of managers.

(6) The administrator is responsible for receiving patients into the health center as follows:

(A) A resident of the county who is suffering from tuberculosis or another chronic disease designated by the board of managers may be admitted to the hospital division.

(B) A resident of the county who is aged, blind, destitute, homeless, infirm, chronically ill, or in need of nursing or convalescent care may be admitted to the nursing home division.

(C) A nonresident of the county may be admitted to the health center only as prescribed in this section.

(7) The administrator shall do the following:

(A) Cause an examination to be made of the physical condition of each person admitted to the health center.

(B) Provide for the care and treatment of each patient within the resources and capabilities of the health center according to the patient's needs.

(C) Cause a record to be kept of the condition of each patient when admitted.

(D) See that each patient is reexamined periodically.

(8) The administrator shall discharge from the health center any patient who:

(A) willfully or habitually violates the rules of the health center;

(B) is found to have recovered from tuberculosis or other chronic disease; or

(C) has been rehabilitated sufficiently not to require the services of the health center.

(9) The administrator shall establish clinical and ancillary services for inpatients and outpatients of the health center as the board of managers may designate. Clinical and ancillary services include the following:

(A) Outpatient tuberculosis clinic.

(B) Outpatient chronic disease clinic.

(C) Inhalation therapy.

(D) Physical therapy services.

(E) Podiatric medicine services.

(F) Dental services.

(G) Optometry services.

(H) Speech and hearing services.

(I) Social/psychiatric services.

(b) All clinical and ancillary services established under subsection (a)(9) must be available to patients from all counties affiliated with or having an interest in the health center.

[Pre-1992 Revision Citation: 12-4-6-6.]

As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.24.