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| Wed, 05-26-2004 - 3:46pm |
I work for what we here in Canada call a Regional Health Authority. I am the Admin Support for the Public Health Program - full time. On top of that, I do one day a week (Wednesdays) for the Diabetes Education Resource. My office parter, Jenn, is leaving for her one year mat leave (yep, it's a year here) on Friday.
The RHA (Regional Health Authority) has to find $2 million dollars somewhere, so they have decided not to fill her position full time. They are only filling it .5. So I am responsible for the other .5. So now I am responsible for all of Public Health, all of DER, and half of Home Care. I am almost in tears here right now, it is too much.
Okay, this might get confusing to you now. I live in a town called Swan River. So here I am the full time Public Health gal, I am the only admin person for DER (diabetes ed), Jenn does full time Home Care (until this Friday), and there is two people who do the admin work for Mental Health. We are in the process of building a new hospital here, so we are all in buildings all over town. When we go back to the hospital, the Mental Health position goes back to .5, which it was before they tore down the old hospital.
Now there are many towns that fall under each RHA. The largest town in our RHA is called Dauphin. And this is what angers me to no end - they have a full time Public Health, full time Home Care, full time (meaning 5 days a week, whereas I am expected to do all this same work in one bloody day) DER person, 1.5 people for home care PLUS they have a rewceptionsist. So they don't answer all incoming calls like we do here in Swan River.
I am so ready to flip my freaking lid and lose my mind!! How am I gonna do it?? The head of DER, he works out of Dauphin (we call Dauphin the RHA's baby) and he just informed me that I have been forgetting to do this spreadsheet where on the 1st and 15th of every month I report how long it will take for a person to get in to see the dietitian and the nurse for both a new appt (1 hour) and a follow up appt (1/2 hour). I just want to sit here and cry. My plate is overflowing, and he is piling MORE on it??
And there is nothing I can do. I don't even work in this bloody DER office the rest of the week, I am here ONE day a week. I have people calling me and interupting my Public Health work to make appts for DER. And right now, before Jenn leaves, I am already stretched to the max.
I am so sorry ladies, but I just had to get this out.
Pamela

Don't worry about 'whining' because I don't sense any whining in your post at all! I sense a LOT of stress, though and it's gotta be making you crazy!
I'm in the US, so I know NOTHING about Canadian employment or Canadian healthcare...none of it!
But, I used to be a career counselor, and I may have a couple of tips for you...
Have you talked to your boss? I mean really sat down and had a discussion...not whining or complaining, but going in and saying something like..."with Jenn gone, my responsibilities are going to increase significantly, and I'd like some assistance in prioritizing my work, so that everything gets done" Does that make sense? I know that my own boss right now, has absolutley NO idea what my job entails, and she used to do my job!!! Jobs change, jobs grow, jobs get more detailed...things change!!
Have you written a list of EVERYTHING that you are required to do EVERY month, along with an estimated time that it takes you to complete tasks? This might help. It might even help your boss see how VALUABLE you are to your organization!
Show your boss how productive you are by keeping some type of time log...this shows that you're not busy goofing off or something like that.
While you're at it...maybe you could ask for additional compensation for your additional responsibilities? Not necessarily money, but maybe additional vacation? Faster/better computer?
Those are just my thoughts...
Good luck!!! I know how much it sucks to be in your situation, because I've had to cover for people all the time (but never for a year!!!)
Tracie
Do this take a huge deep breath in then let it out slowly repeat until calm...
You need to talk to the head person around there and tell them that you can not be expected to do everything most places have an office full of people to do different jobs admin reception billers ect....
They can not expect one person to do the job of 5 people that is just not humaly possible...
I can not put alot of stress onto myself when I get stressed I get manic and all hell brakes loose from there...but this isnt about me at all so I will stop there..
is there anyways possible that you could talk to your boss and let them know that you need more than .5 hours of help a week...
also I think that you would do great with all these new responsibilites (did I just make that word WAY too long or is it just me)
I am on my way out the door for a few have to look at some cars here at work but just know that I have faith in ya and I am sure that you will be just fine
Dont forget to speak your voice and do not be afraid to be heard.
Erin
Sending hugs and good thoughts your way.
Take care,
Lisa-)
((((((Pamela)))))), my goodness, when is the other shoe going to fall!?!