Health Chaos

My premise is that there is less expected of health care professionals today. Is it just in this state, that I moved to 3 years ago? I think not. Professional positions that not long ago required at least a bachelors degree, if not a masters, now require an associate degree, or any educational level that provides the person with some very basic education and the employer can pay a LOT LESS in salary.

I see this trend not just in my profession, but in many, many professions. Yet we are told  that our economy is strong and there are lots of jobs! Sure, for slightly more than minimum wage, very limited or no benefits, and no job security. More and more I see contracts for a limited time vs. the days of longevity meaning you can invest in a retirement plan and your position is relatively secure. I live in an “at will” state which means you sign a paper,  a contract, which states that you can be terminated, at any time, without notice, with no warning and no reason given. On the other hand, you, the employee, have the same privilege. And I have exercised this right twice this year. Why?

 Now employers are looking for “technicians” or “specialists” which in health ”professions”  in this state, means a student, or an entry level worker,  who wants to earn a few dollars, with no higher goals, ambitions for professional growth.

 In support of my observations, I must say that I have found that the attitudes of those doing the hiring and firing has become very vindictive and demeaning. Perhaps because the ones “in charge” who have been promoted to the role of supervisor or manager are not qualified, educated, nor experienced for their role. Their communication skills seem to be nonexistent. ?the old “peter principle” at work again?

My new position lasted 9 days. I did not sign the contract. Why? Because the salary I was quoted in my interview was 20k more than what the contract stated. Not livable. And again the demeaning and accusatory attitude of persons who don’t have basic management/supervisory skills.  I asked to “think about” the contract for a day or two before signing, and was told “oh, you’ll sign today” but I didn’t.  And the next day I received a call from my manager who said if I did not sign by 3pm, she would have to find someone else. Okay. I was out the door. I felt bad about the sites that I was committed too. But I had to look out for me.

 All this is after I interviewed in August, but all the beaurocratic red tape didn’t allow me to begin work till the end of October! They are lucky that I bothered to show up at all. And I spent more than $200 just getting through the application and certification process, never to be reimbursed.

So this is the third health care position that I have quit this year. Who do I think I am? I am not independently wealthy. But I am no longer willing to work for persons that I do not respect.

 I have a friend who has been a free lance writer for years, who now is recently employed by an insurance company, and struggling with the politics. Here is my ongoing advice to her:

Keep practicing the mantra “let me think about it and get back to you.” Then it sounds like you are cooperative.

As for parties and holidays, “oh thank you for letting me know; I will do my best to be there.” Then do whatever you want to do with NO excuses. If they ask “where were you? why didn’t you come?” “Oh; I am sorry. But I had something come up.” Don’t provide personal/family information.  Be vigilant about who you trust. Maybe you had a deadline.  “I am sorry; I am really busy today.” Doesn’t matter what.  As for costumes and Halloween, come as yourself. So what.

 This entry is about orientation of new staff, etc.   The moral of this story: it is really important to ask all the questions, have a contract, and don’t do a thing, don’t commit to anything until you meet with Human Resources, which should happen on your first morning, if not before you start.  And, if you are a manager or supervisor, please spend your first week telling your staff (or providing them with) your history, their rights, their challenges, commonly used acronyms, an organization chart, a list of necessary phone numbers and email addresses, how to use the phone and the computer, the politics, not to mention introducing them to other staff, providing them with a CLEAN equipped working environment, and a vase of fresh flowers.

 I have had a week from hell. First week in my new position. The incompetence and the accusatory style of communication amazes me. The worst I have experienced in my 39 year career. I still don’t know what my salary is, don’t know benefits, don’t know about my 1 yr contract. Will find out at 3 on Halloween. Bad omen? Good omen? I SHOULD NEVER HAVE STARTED without knowing salary. Why can’t anyone tell me? Well, if it is not livable, I will just have to decide not to sign the contract and walk out the door. 

And on the way to work on Tuesday, I could not avoid some metal debris on the freeway (typical highway shlocky maintenance where I live) and blew out 2 tires and bent a rim. For almost $1000. Didn’t report to insurance cuz my deductible in 1k. So I hear “you were late!”. Yah; well I am alive! Went out to my car for 5 minutes one day to change my contact lens and was told “you never came back”. What!?  And the week before I even started I was asked by my “mentor” how I planned to allocate my time between my job sites.  What? I didn’t even know what sites I would have assigned to me. Most staff have 1 or 2 sites. And I already get the picture. They “drive” between their sites, presenting the fiction they are working when indeed they are not. I was given 17 sites! I will spend 2 days a week at an ethnic academy. Was told they are hard to work with. Nice intro, huh? But I find them VERY pleasant. Cuz I am not naive. I have been around the block a few times. I think THAT site will work out fine, if I ever get paid.

Are you expected to use your personal cell phone and not be reimbursed for mileage? I will just keep my cell phone off. Why should I pay for this service for them?

Take care of you, because often your employer will not….