Ambulance interim made official

WASHINGTON — As of Tuesday morning, Katrina Altenhofen is interim director of the Washington County Ambulance Service, after county supervisors approved an employment agreement for the longtime paramedic.

Board of Supervisors Member and Ambulance Department Liaison Jack Seward Jr. said the agreement was based on a template for County Attorney John Gish’s interim replacement during his deployment abroad.

“We didn’t change anything, but we took out some things that were pertaining to a county attorney, and then added in the position that was required,” Seward said. “The second part is the current job description for the ambulance director, but we added the title, ‘Interim.’”

The job description reiterates that it is a temporary position, and sets payment at $55 per hour, not to exceed 20 hours per week.

Altenhofen has her work cut out for her, stepping into the leadership position as county officials and ambulance staff say the department is plagued by factionalism and retaliation. She does not plan to decrease attention to her day job, as executive director at Hospice of Washington County.

The newly appointed interim has previously stated that she felt ready to tackle the problems.

“(I) have been around long enough that I would hope that would garner some ability to say, ‘Hey, we need to sit down and have a discussion,’ whether that’s a series of staff meetings, or a one-on-one with each and every one of them,” she said in a Dec. 7 article for the Union.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com