South Jersey Rehab and Nursing Center Closing, Eliminating 323 Jobs

A South Jersey nursing and rehabilitation center is closing after receiving a notice that it is being decertified from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The 220-bed Mount Laurel Center for Rehab and Healthcare filed a notice with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce that as a result of the decertification, it is terminating operations which will result in the loss of 323 jobs. The affected workers include nurses, nursing assistants, dietary aides and housekeeping aides.

The facility's parent company, Centers Health Care of New York City issued the following statement when asked about the closing:

"Effective with the close of business on June 16, Mt. Laurel Center will no longer be a part of the Centers Health Care family. Residents and their families, as well as the Mt. Laurel staff were notified of this decision at the end of May. Centers Health Care is working with each resident to transition them to an alternative facility. Many of Mt. Laurel’s residents have requested that we place them in one of our other facilities in New Jersey, located in Deptford and Hammonton, and we are accommodating those requests. For those that wish stay closer to the Mt. Laurel area, we are arranging for transfer to other nearby facilities or they are being discharged in the care of family members if they prefer. Each resident is making his or her own decision as to where they would prefer to move and all transfers will be completed by July 16."

The company noted Centers South Jersey facilities in Hammonton and Deptford are fully staffed and "do not anticipate needing to offer positions to former Mt. Laurel staffers."

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