NATCHEZ — While the search for a new administrator for Riverland Medical Center has been narrowed to two candidates, the hospital board’s vice chairman said he hopes to begin salary negotiations with one candidate as soon as possible.

The new hire will replace Lana Stamper, who turned in her resignation effective June 8.

Five candidates have applied since then, but one withdrew and two others did not have the qualifications required by the state, board vice chairman Fred Butcher said.

“We’ve interviewed both of the final candidates, and we’re hoping to meet in the near future to perhaps entertain some offers and begin negotiations,” Butcher said. “It will be during a specially called meeting, hopefully today.”

Both candidates are from Louisiana — one from the coast and the other is a local, Butcher said.

Qualifications for the administrator position include a master’s degree and at least three years of fulltime experience in progressively responsible management positions in health care, a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of the same experience or at least 10 years of full time experience in hospital administration.

Stamper was named administrator at Riverland in October of 2010.