A NEW THING
Just to let those of you who are interested, I write this to let you know of a change that has taken place in my life. While I continue to see private clients at the LIghthouse Counseling Clinic in Jefferson, LA, I recently accepted a full-time position at West Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Marrero, LA.
ANOTHER NEW THING
I have been working at WJRMC for about 2 weeks now. Starting Jan 2, 2008, they are going to let me fly own my own. Normally, I would have no question as to whether I would be ready to leave the training nest. However, this new position is in the Medical Case Management Department which, as you may know, is an entirely different animal than Clinical Counseling, the area I have worked in since completing Graduate School at LSU.
THE CHALLENGES
In addition to learning the ropes as a member of the Case Management Team, the major challenges I face are learning all the related computer systems, policies and procedures, learning an encyclopedia of medical terms and the most challenging of all...learning the personalities and egos of those who care for the patients on the floors of the hospital I will be assigned. As for the medical terms, I do have a bit of a head start because of my past training as an Emergency Medical Technician. That gives a small grasp on the basis of much of the new terminology I face. As for the personalities and egos, I hope to lean on my clinical counselor experience to understand the best way to work with WJMC's Medical Professionals.
THE BEST PARTS SO FAR
Not in any particular order, the best aspects of my new job so far are:
I began during the Christmas Season so there were lots of great office events with my new co-workers.
Receiving a full-time salary.
Being forced to dress like a Professional Social Worker once again.
and.....the commute to the office..............it is approximately six to eight blocks....my truck never makes it past second gear!!!!!
Thanks For Reading, Robb
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Comments: 27
You are so right about the commute.........between the price of gas, the drive time saved, the ability to run home during lunch if I need to, and avoiding the headaches of the afternoon rush-hour.
Thanks for the congrats!
Why, if you live only a few blocks from West Jeff, you live much closer to civilization than I thought! (For some reason I thought you were way out in Belle Chasse). I"ll wave to you when I pass by on my LONG commute to the WB.
It depends on how you define civilization:-> Yes, I live about 3 minutes from WJMC. Any hints where your headed to on the WB? I understand if you prefer to keep a bit of your anonimity.....did I spell that correctly? And what are you doing up so late?
I'm always up late. Haven't yet figured out whether my chronic insomnia is a result of doing all of my best thinking in the middle of the night, or if doing my best thinking in the middle of the night is a result of my chronic insomnia :-).
I have discovered that having an MS in Psychology is basically useless in LA...everyone wants LPC or LCSW, and can't seem to get their minds around the fact that all of these are basically same degree, different name. So, I have fallen back on my second area of expertise....business and accounting. I'm a QuickBooks certified consultant, and am currently doing freelance accounting/bookkeeping/consulting for various small biz owners who don't need full-time accountants.
I have a few clients on the WB that I see weekly, and sometimes do "cold calling" around town to try and pick up more clients, so I'm in that area 2-3 times per week at various places.
BTW, West Jeff is where I was born....have a lot of family on the WB.
My uncle/godfather was Pres. of the JP Levee District from 80-90, which is one of the reasons I fought so strongly for the amendment that changed the way LB memebers were appointed. I know first hand he knew NOTHING about levees, and is part of the usual LA cycle of corruption. I don't discriminate in calling them how I see them.....even when it is a family member. Way off topic now, so I'll stop rambling!
Take Care!
Thank you so much for stopping by......the Community project, as I predicted in the article, is slow. The subject of this article is the biggest reason. Another great thing about this job is that it is not sedentary like "counseling." The Case Mgt. office is actually not connected to the hospital itself. So, I go into the office for about 30 minutes to get set up and then make the long trek to the small auxillary office on the 4th floor of the hospital. Then there are several trips to different rooms on different floors throughout the day. I will be on my feet 75 to 85 % on a normal day, but I will be getting much more exercise.
I am well on my way to learning the 30 or so names/personalities of those who work in the Case Management Dspartment. One thing I don't think I mentioned in the article is that out of that number, I am the lone, single, solo, male in the department. I am afraid that at some point in the future I may start having sympathy PMS:-> The "real" learning experience will begin Jan. 2, 2008 when they will officially push me out of the training nest. I am confident about doing the job, but the new mission will be to learn and maneuver around, through, over, with, for, against, etc., the personalities and egos of all the personnel on my assigned units.
I am not too concerned about the terminology aspect. I have come to understand that most don't expect me to know it so well at this point and when I ask a nurse or doctor they usually don't mind explaining, some enjoy the chance to show off......
That's a great idea about the ties! I will have to go back and read the detailed dress code to see what or if any limits are placed on ties.
Again, thank you very much!
If I learn of anyone who needs Quickbooks consultation, I will let you know.
Finally, you know they say "its a small world." If you choose to divulge, would your uncle happen to be R.B.?
Have you been writing lately and somehow I am missing your articles?
I sent you a PM. No, I haven't been writing...only reading mostly and commenting occassionally.
I think I finally understood that I would never change anyone's mind....and felt that the constant barage of comments that alluded to just how low on the totem pole some of our fellow Americans think we are was juts no longer good for my mental health. I took it all much too personally. Perhaps one day soon I will write again...on another topic.
Nothing is worth your own mental health. Why not explore your creative side or write some random musings. Just write enough to stay in touch. I generally hope that four or five specific people will check out anything I post. Of those, three are Bayou Belles. I don't think I need to tell you who the other two are. Then, if the Belle of Alabama makes a comment......that's the cherry on top!
Of course you are!!! There is no other.
Thanks for stopping by. Happy New Year to you and yours as well.
I hadn't heard about your daughter. Tell her Congratulations from an old alum. My new job at WJMC is draining me of every ounce of energy...it seems that these days that I work, sleep, work, sleep, work, sleep.....
I will have to research the importance of the Fleur de Lys in Louisiana....It is part of the Quebec flag, and since Quebec and Louisiana have important history, culture, language and legal system in common, obviously, there is a connection.