Job Responsibilities
Generate reports using hospital specific software system.
Distribute information as necessary to managers, doctors, nurses
and other staff members.
Compile material for patient charts from inception to discharge
from hospital, including gathering admission data and follow
through to medical records department.
Manage communication mechanisms, telephone, paging system for
unit, external paging system with physicians.
Circumvent inquiries regarding specialized (comprehensive)
program; passing them to intake coordinator.
Handle all preparation for new patients prior to arrival.
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Job Requirements
Pre-requisite status, pre-RN student. Biology, science and
nutrition focus as well as meeting all of the additional general
education requirements for a bachelors degree in the University
of California education system. Difficult to get into classes
as they narrow into the last five or six pre-requisite
requirements. Relatively high GPA necessary in just math and
science courses to gain entry into RN programs. Lottery system
is used after GPA and all other cirriculum is met.
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Uppers
I enjoy working with the kids on my particular unit. Many of them stay for
extended periods of time, allowing the opportunity to get to know them a little
bit while they are in the hospital. The inter-discipline approach that is used
in treating these children is fascinating to watch in action. Another upside
would be the union, a stark contrast to private industry where I had spent the
previous ~20 years. Many fascinating and vastly different aspects of work (all
positives) that I had previously not been privvy to. The nursing staff I work
with is great, they work well together as a team and have tremendously positive
energy.
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Downers
Time clock, as in punching one in and out, orientation to up to
the minute accuracy with punctuality, break times, lunches,
etc. Very different than my previous work experience(s),
probably the most difficult thing to get used to. Also, can be
difficult watching (feeling helpless) as some kids become worse
over the course of years... for whatever (reasons yet unknown)
treatment(s) seem to be unable to help/cure them. Can be quite
sad.
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Lifestyle
Hours are excellent. Swing shift from 3:00-11:00 p.m. -- 3 days one week and 4
days the following week. Not bad at all. Leaves time for school during the day
and many hours to take care of business while the masses sit in cubicles or are
stuck in traffic. Travel not necessary. Co-workers tend to have fun together.
Dress code is simple, comfortable, leaves little room for fashion error. The
staff comes from diverse backgrounds, which keeps it all the more interesting.
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Compensation
Compensation is union scale. No need to worry about "up-side
down" performance evaluations, written to meet the needs of a
shrinking budget. All compensation matters are handled
seriously and fairly. Having played the stock option game
previously, I would take union scale over stock option any day
of the week. Benefits are better than average.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Being in the medical profession requires a lot of "patience"...
play on words... However, it is true. One must be willing to
struggle through otherwise less than interesting classes and not
be discouraged by waiting lists. I see my position as an
intermediate step to becoming a Registered Nurse, having the
opportunity to work with patients and staff, becoming familiar
with the pace and getting a sense of what is to come.
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