OXNARD : St. John’s Again Planning Layoffs

For the second year in a row, St. John’s Regional Medical Center is planning to lay off workers because of a major budget shortfall, officials said Thursday.

Citing low patient volume and high health care costs, the hospital expects a $4.3-million shortage in its $128-million budget for the fiscal year beginning in July, Charles Padilla, human resources vice president, said.

Hospital officials have not yet decided how many jobs to cut, Padilla said, but all will be administrative positions.

Last year, a $5-million budget shortfall at the hospital led to 33 layoffs. Several of those employees were rehired as positions became available, Padilla said.

The medical center recently laid off five employees after merging with Pleasant Valley Hospital. The merger did not contribute to the current budget problem, hospital officials said.