carpro said:
This may be a preview of a government run healthcare program.
Yes! Assuredly you can almost count on it:
I worked in a government funded but privately 'non-profit' administered mental rehabilitation program, for almost 22years (lacking just a few months).
The original operation of the hospital, or rehabilitation program, was very well staffed and funded. It was on the cutting edge and well positioned for competition for funds in the promise that it would reduce the expense of intensive state institutionalizations of the mentally ill by retraining their institutionalized behaviors and dependancies, and teaching or restoring their abilities to take care of daily needs and provide a degree of socialization behaviors which would help them blend better into society into which most would be placed.
Through the years, the funding went down and so did the staffing: The research project, by which some of the funds might have been granted, were completed as some got their higher degrees and recognition and left for higher paying positions. Of the original staff which were there when I went to work in 1980, only one housekeeper, the medical director, and myself where there at the time I terminated.
During the years we 'progressed' through a number of changes....some brought about by changing regulations and some brought about by changing Privately run administrations and philosophy: Economics was always a factor and elections and budgets seemed to go hand in hand. So was the leanings of most people employed there...... their vote steered by their pocketbook and job security.
I always saw my job security as an outgrowth of committment to a hard work ethic, following the directions of my employer in supporting policy, in faithfulness in work attendance, and in carrying out the duties of my job responsibly (including what ever diversified duties might be added).
During those years, I struggle hoping for better evaluations, but it always seemed my evaluations were the opposite from what I would have expected: I would be praised for the very areas I felt weak in, and many areas of strength and priority necessity, would receive just average notes and remarks or less....even.....sometimes with trumped up allegations of one time occurrence..... "you didn't deliver the meal to a patient after completeing meal rounds'...... well, duh! The patient had been manic and not eating or sleeping normally for 3 days and the RN told me that an emergency sleeper had been given during my meal rounds duties and she (the medical doctor and the RN) wanted the patient to sleep it out and get her meal upon waking.... so I properly labeled (name, date, time) and placed in refrigeration and passed the word on in report: Or 'on such and such date you failed to record the close observation rounds on Pts X and Y' ....... Well you say and how should I do that when my supervisor removes me from the floor to transport a patient to an outside appointment because the facility driver is NA? Supervisor was told of my assignment of close-observations during that period. She says I should ask another tech to do them..... but I have no authority for enforcing. "You were assigned the security rounds and checked them off as having been done at the start of the shift after which a visitor entered the building during the night." 'That is very possible when staff have access to the same keys and can come and go during the night: when I'm aware I double check the doors.... but there are occasions when I'm not near the door or desk to know a door has been unlocked and my duties include assisting patients, doing rounds and close-observations, taking supplies between units, checking the chart for compliance with date/time/signatures on each progress note and doctors orders transferred, ordering unit supplies and restocking and stuffing charts and filing consults, plus charting the progress and incidents on patients during my shift. With as many as 40 patients on my unit, often I was the only tech and the LPN was the only other staff: We might have an RN on duty on my unit, but many nights there would be just one RN dividing his/her time between the two units.
Frequently the position of LPN or RN was filled in by 'agency' nurses. They came with their own expertise or lack thereof, and sometimes their own baggage regarding 'psych-wards'.
One was absent from my unit for more than 45 minutes when a patient called me to check on his roommate.... I called all the units (one other unit on our floor and a secure unity for stablization and observation) and couldn't locate but left messages that nurse was needed stat.... Immediately went to check on the patient and found him ashened and complaining of chest pain and in a cold sweat. Roommate told me he had just gone to bathroom and returned what seemed okay... then complained upon lying down. I took note of the time. I made the emergency call 'code blue'. The nurse, who'd almost reached the unit, told me later, she spun around to get the crash cart and couldn't find it. The roommate was helpful in watching the hall for me to see if staff or other patients entered while I stayed with the patient to offer comfort and monitor vital signs. EMS came and transported the patient from West Fl Community Care to local hospital: The nurse got the order for transfer but was unfamiliar with our charts and papers needed to go with patient. I knew and pulled those sheets, copied and stamped 'confidential' and she sent me to hospital. I arrived in time to turn the papers over and to confirm to the physician the aproximate time of the patient's discomfort. EMS personnell reported to me their evaluation that he was just suffering an anxiety attack..... which can mimick a heart attack. But the doctor's evaluation was a heart attack and with the information I was able to give him, he was able to administer a anti clot agent successfully. I recently 'ran into' "Larry" when I took my brother to his VA appointment.... and he remembered that time about 10 years ago.
Spring of 2002, my job was terminated for 'cause' (1) too judgemental, (2) doesn't get along with staff (3) power struggles with patients. I drew (a failed challenged) unemployment and tried to find work but 2002 was not a good year for looking for work for a 54y/o. But I can say one thing...... with all its ups and downs....... God has provided for my needs and the stress I carried back then and the oppression which I was under during that last administration, He carried me through without realizing until it was no longer with me.
Though it was 'privately' administered, it was state funded. Though I got no salary nor perks comparable with civil service, staff who partied after hours and during hours 'assumed' their work while visiting on other units, often got credit for their 'efficiency' which existed on paper only.
I figure I was a liability: They could hire my replacement for $3 less, get someone younger with more energy and perhaps more ambition than to hold that position and be content with what they made and what they gave. Also, I had 600 hours of sick leave in reserve.... accumulating at the same rate as everyone else, but a liability IF I got sick and required significant time off, plus, my vacation leave of 4 weeks a years due to longevity, was a conflict with new comers who would never see vacation leave accrue above 2 weeks.
continued--------------------
