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Help- not sure what to do (cover employment issues)

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by PC_Pod, Oct 12, 2015.

  1. PC_Pod

    PC_Pod Member


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    Hi all

    I've agreed to cover a few weeks of a maternity leave soon in a private clinic-despite not really seeing myself stay in podiatry (new graduate), nevermind private practice.

    That's the first issue. I'm an extremely anxious person and this heightens when I'm in clinic. The thought of being the only pod there is terrifying.

    Second issue, and the main one.. is that there is only one set of instruments available for my use, so no realistic chance of sterilising in between each patient. I am ridiculously uncomfy with this and feel like the patients deserve better.

    I feel I can't get past this, but I don't want to let the pod or the boss down especially at this late stage.

    :craig:
     
  2. Lab Guy

    Lab Guy Well-Known Member

    In my opinion, you agreed and you need to follow through as your word is a reflection of who you are. Let them first know that your agreement is contingent on following the standard of care. Do not put yourself at risk or your patients. Therefore, let them know your concerns regarding the instruments. It is okay to say no if they do not comply with your wishes.

    Beyond that, I think this is a great opportunity to meet your fears and come to understand that your much better than you think. A door has opened to offer you the chance to gain confidence in yourself and let go of your doubt in your abilities. You may well find that you do indeed have the skill set to help your patients and discover that you enjoy the profession.

    Take your time with your patients and I'm sure you will be fine. You will emerge a much more confident person and you will have beaten one of the greatest enemies that most of us face, Doubt...doubt in ourselves. So take a deep breath and step into your power and you will be surprised what your capable of. You may not want to continue in this profession, but you will be a better person for the experience.

    Steven
     
  3. fishpod

    fishpod Well-Known Member

    one set of instruments ie 1 pair nippers one scalpel one file. if this is the case walk away you dont need this kind of experience . I would advise the other pod to stay on maternity leave for eternity. ps it takes approx 20 mins to sterilise instruments nobody has 1 set of instruments its a joke ,jeremy beadle will pounce on you first day. this is not a great opportunity and you can learn nothing from a podiatrist who only owns 1 set of instruments. read your minimum standards of practice.
     
  4. Mike Plank

    Mike Plank Active Member

    Ask them what happens when you accidently cut a patient who is HIV? or has an infected wound? One set of instruments is criminal. You should not compromise your standards. Run a mile!
     
  5. W J Liggins

    W J Liggins Well-Known Member

    Ask them for disposable instruments. Scalpels are cheap and a couple of pairs of non-disposable nippers and files can easily be sterilized. Show them the minimum standards of practice papers and you may have a pleasant surprise!

    All the best

    Bill Liggins
     
  6. fishpod

    fishpod Well-Known Member

    good god if they only have ONE pair of nippers they will never run to the expense of disposables based on the fact you have to buy them in boxes of 100 pairs. go on push the boat out ask for TWO i say TWO pairs of nippers you may not have a pleasant suprise you may have a very unpleasant suprise as this will be just the tip of the rather unpleasant iceberg. remember that Labour song things can only get better. its not true.
     
  7. PC_Pod

    PC_Pod Member

    Thanks for this much needed pep talk. I agreed for that very reason: a good opportunity to see once and for all if it's for me!


    I definitely do need to discuss the instrument issue but I hate confrontation and I've tried to mention it before but I don't see him that much and any chat is very very quick..by the time I build up courage.. he's gone!

    I feel I should have discussed it sooner with him but I haven't had the guts, instead I've been bringing it up with the current pod in the hopes that she might have another word with him (as pathetic as that sounds).. I feel awful for leaving it so late to say.
    It is unbelievable isn't it? It doesn't even cost much for another set or two- especially with all the orthoses selling that goes on! I'm used to the NHS placements with all their strict infection control procedures so this was really unexpected.

    exactly!

    Yes, a few pairs would do me lovely.

    I may print the standards out or email them to the boss and hopefully that will make him realise it needs to change.

    and thanks
    I can't imagine I'd have more influence than the pod that's there already and has mentioned it, but I guess it's worth a go..he might hange his mind seeing as I'm the only cover seemingly available


    thanks everyone for the replies so far, if anyone else feels they want to weigh in if their views/ advice that would be much appreciated!
     
  8. Peter

    Peter Well-Known Member

    My advice would be to purchase 2-3 sets of instruments that you can autoclave so YOU always have clean instruments for pts. I would tell the Private Pod what you have done, why you have done it and maybe use this to negotiate a better fee for your efforts? If you don't enjoy the experience, you can walk away with your stuff and use them if you find yourself in a decent set up. Its good to be nervous for a bit, its better than walking in with a massive ego.

    Personally I think takes courage and a conscience to post something like this beforehand, and speaks volumes about you as a person.
     
  9. Ian Drakard

    Ian Drakard Active Member

    I wouldn't let this experience decide your career. Working somewhere without adequate support or equipment could easily put you off for good but shouldn't be taken as representative.

    Personally I'd say if you can't put something in place to safeguard you and your patients then walk away. It's not about confrontation.
     
  10. Catfoot

    Catfoot Well-Known Member

    Hi PC Pod, and I'm sorry you find yourself in this difficult position.

    So take a deep breath and look at what's going on.

    First of all, what terms and conditions were agreed when you said you would take up this position?

    Are you an employee (doubtful) or an associate, or a self-employed contractor?

    It could be that they are assuming that you will provide your own instruments if they are engaging you as a contractor.

    I would suggest that you bite the bullet and have a talk with the person in charge of this practice and make very clear what is expected from both parties in this arrangement.

    If you feel at all uneasy about this arrangement, please don't take it on.

    You have already said that you don't really feel at this moment in time that podiatry is the way to go.

    Maybe you need to have a think about alternatives?

    HTH

    Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

    Catfoot
     
  11. PC_Pod

    PC_Pod Member

    I came straight out and told him that I wasn't comfy with the instrument situation and he didn't seem best pleased, eventually he said to make a list of what I need and he'd consider it. He argued that instruments don't need steralising after each patient as in Private unlike NHS, I wouldn't be seeing 'high risk' patient I wouldn't be seeing ulcers etc.

    I don't know what's happening re. instruments as I haven't been there since that day.

    Oh, and thank you for the kind words

    Thanks for the reply

    I know I shouldn't but I've never been keen to go into Private anyway :eek:


    thanks for the reply

    Nothing agreed when I said yes to the opportunity... basically he said he was desperate and I said yes not wanting to let him down. I mentioned that I was very unconfident of my skills as I hadn't practised since the last univ placement a few months ago.

    He's not expecting me to have my own instruments but to use the one set already in use.

    I'm just a cover staff member, no other terms mentioned..although he is reluctant to pay me the same as the pod on mat leave. Currently waiting for a reply to my email about pay as he seemed to be wanting to pay me what I get in my minimum wage (not podiatry) job that I am having time off for to do these few weeks. Just under ?10 travel there and back also mean it's not feasible unless higher


    Very confused now as to what to do as it seems one hassle after another!

    I feel another health care profession might suit my personality and skills more, something less full on with less constant patient contact. I'm interested in pharmacy for example but it's all very private for me right now as my family say this is what I've trained for all these years and I can't bring myself to say I'm thinking of other things that might be better for me. It's a pity I've only just realised that my personality might not be completely compatible and that might be why I have always been anxious in clinical placement and drained after.

    :boohoo:
     
  12. fishpod

    fishpod Well-Known Member

    sorry to say I told you so. i hope you drop kicked him when he generously offered to pay you minimum wage. do not be confused tell him to ----- ooo . make a rational decision listen to your inner dr spock .
     
  13. fishpod

    fishpod Well-Known Member

    I'm beginning to think this thread is a wind up no instruments. Minimum. Wage Christ what next he keeps your passport keeps you under the stairs and sexually abuses you twice a week.
     
  14. Lab Guy

    Lab Guy Well-Known Member

    PC POD,

    It sounds like Pharmacy or another career would suit you better from what you have written. You have invested a lot of time and money on your degree so nevertheless, you may want to give it a try before throwing in the towel. Buy a few instruments if you have to, it's a tiny amount of money relative what you have already spent and maybe you could sell them later on.

    The amount your getting paid is not relevant as your a new graduate with no experience. You have the opportunity to work just a few weeks and gain some valuable hands on experience. Frame this opportunity to as an extension of your schooling to gain clinical experience to prepare you for "real employment".

    The most important person in the world is yourself, so make the best choice for yourself and nobody else. Best of luck to you.

    Steven
     
  15. fishpod

    fishpod Well-Known Member

    Take up. Pharmacy a colleague of my wife has just sold up for 3 million and retired at 46 and there is no stress in pharmacy it's a cake walk .Also don't worry because most pharmacy uni places go to girls with 4 a levels grade a 18 years old who attended private schools.competition for places is fierce fees are 9 grand and they won't care much for the fact you have a degree in podiatry it will not even get you a week knocked off their course.ps they have 100 applicants for each place..You will need grade A in maths and chemistry and another 2As won't go Amis.This is the reality of the pharmacy profession today you don't need luck you need money and a very good education.
     
  16. horseman

    horseman Active Member

    I don't know about another profession, but use a bit of common sense. No professional fee, no professional standards and a cavalier attitude to your concerns. Walk away and do the rest of us a favour and report this clown to any professional standards body that'll listen. "don't need to sterilise instruments in PP" !?!
     
  17. Catfoot

    Catfoot Well-Known Member

    PCPod,
    Please do yourself a big favour. Put your hands behind your back, in the middle, and feel there, up and down. You should be able to palpate a row of knobbly things. Now, that's your backbone.

    Now that you've found it, go and tell this sorry excuse for a practitioner to stick his job where the sun don't shine and walk away. Don't not look back, do not pass Go, do not collect ?200.

    Now go forward and concentrate on a career that you really want.

    Good Luck.
     
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