JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A primary care near-site clinic for the Jamestown Public School District is set to open March 19th this year.

The comprehensive urgent care and primary care clinic will be opening in the space last occupied by the Rent-A-Center along 1st Avenue South. During a Jamestown Public School Board meeting, members heard from President and CEO of Medallus Medical Dr. Rachot Vacharothone.

Vacharothone told the board that 90 percent of medical needs are basic needs, meaning a hospital or specialist aren’t necessarily needed in those cases.

With the planned 3,000 square foot space and seven exam rooms, Vacharothone estimates that they could see a high number of patients in one day.

Randy Johnson, Vice President of Hays Companies, was part of the consulting firm that worked with the school. He estimates the cost at the on-site clinic will be around $131 per visit, lower than the average cost of a primary care office visit in Jamestown.

The school district will be paying a portion of $1,300 monthly clinic rent and $35,000 in initial development and supply start-up costs.

Jamestown Superintendent Robert Lech says the Health Insurance Committee has done a lot of work to help make this move possible.

Roxanne Johnson will serve as the clinic nurse practitioner for family medicine and mental health. Jody Tanner will serve as the physician assistant on urgent care.

It’s estimated between 10 to 15 employees will be hired on at the on-site clinic.

Audio in this story is courtesy of Jamestown Video.