Me! Me! Me! As of Monday, October 11, I will be working in the automotive advertising department at the Chicago Tribune! I just got the offer today and of course I accepted. :D

I worked inpatient psych for 7 years and partial day treatment for 6 and worked with a lot of violent clients. In those settings, it was much easier, because there are a lot of staff around. However, one time, the staff who was supposed to be with me in an off unit activity room decided it was her break time and left me alone with 12 inpatient adolescent girls. I had a fulltime OT student with me, but she had just started and was very green (and timid by nature). Two of the girls got into a full blown fight and I had to split them up. I was thinking the OT student would call someone or go get help, but she just froze. I wedged myself between them and got one of the girls into a basket wrap and was moving her around the room as the other one was still trying to punch and kick her. I had to yell to the student to get help. Luckily, one of the RTs and a Child Care Worker from the unit were on their way back to the unit from the gym and heard the commotion and came in. A minute or two later, some other CCWs showed up, as the student had finally gone to get them. The others took over and I went to the staff locker and fell apart. A punch had landed on my jaw during the mayhem and it was hurting a lot, but I wasn't really crying from the pain, it was from the fear of what could've have happened and from being left alone to deal with that. I always handled a crisis and then fell apart later. I went into a treatment planning meeting once I got myself together and the psychiatrist looked at me and said "You need to go to ER". I said I was fine, my jaw was just a little sore and she said "NO, Go to ER now". She told me to look in a mirror. I went to a staff bathroom where the only real mirrors were in the building and saw that my jaw wasn't lined up. Turned out that punch had dislocated my jaw.

The only other time I got injured, there were other staff there. We were with the boys this time, 11 and 12 year olds and two got into a scuffle. Another staff and I each grabbed one and got them in basket wraps but they were too close to each other and the one was still trying to kick the other. I twirled the kid I was restraining around so that he didn't get kicked by the first kid, and was kicked myself. Lil sucker bruised my kidney that time.

Those were my only two injuries and they were both with adolescents who tend to blow faster. My recommendations:

Hopefully they've trained you in the mental health department approved methods of restraining patients. Also in the methods of getting out of holds, bites, etc.

The biggest key is never let them get between you and the door.

Adults tend to escalate a little more slowly than kids (in my experience). If they seem to be getting more agitated and you can't talk them down pretty quickly, get out, then call for help. The slower and calmer your voice is, the more likely they will de-escalate. Don't touch them, just talk. Emphasize that you want to help them. Stay at least arm's length away from them, and keep moving toward the door.

After the jaw dislocation incident, I decided my personal safety was more important than the patients' safety, and if I had to re-do it, I'd have gotten the other girls out of the room and gotten more staff. My instinct was "Stop the fight so they don't hurt each other".

Be Careful!

Dee

Well we are told "we are never to put our hands on the patients". Basically I believe that is a crock sometimes and will do what I have to do to protect myself. Anyways, I have off today but plan to implement A LOT of changes in the program. First off, there are 2 peer advocates that have basically had NO supervision so feel like they can tell the professional staff what to do. My director said that it will be my role to supervise them and give them direction which I plan to do starting this week. The second thing that needs to change is that the nurse doesn't know Queens at all, so she never wants to go to see a client by herself and wants everyone to drive her everywhere. That changed last week when she wanted me to drive my brand new car all day to visit clients. Sorry, but the best way to LEARN an area is to get lost yourself. Other than these two vents, things are good so far :)

New job in Student Affairs!
 

I just accepted a job offer at my alma mater, the University of California, Riverside! Starting November 1, I'll be the new Student Organizations Coordinator in the Student Life office. I am so stoked and I've been waiting for an opportunity like this since I graduated! I used to work in this office as the assistant to the Director of Student Orgs (who will now work with me, not as my boss!), and I worked as Registration coordinator for Student Orientation, so I'm all ready familiar with almost everyone that works there, my job responsibilities, the campus, faculty, and staff. And I'm really excited because I get my own (huge) office, an assistant that I know and used to work with, twice as much money that I'm making now, better benefits than what I have now, and a ton of experience in a job where I can use my degree, finally!

Yesterday I accepted a position as a Residential Counselor for a Group home. I start new hire orientation on Thursday, and will be in training for a few weeks, I guess, learning about case management, medication administration, restraint techniques, etc. I'm excited about the opprotunity but bummed about the money. And I am applying to do seasonal work at Victoria's Secret.

Shady Employers
 

a friend and i did a group interview and were hired two days ago, as sales & marketing consultants for HMi. but it felt a little sketchy. we started training yesterday, and even though the job seemingly pays really well, we walked out at the first break in training. it took 10-15 minutes for the trainer to explain the intricacies of our income. we did a little math during a smoke outside, realized the immense mistake we were about to make and decided to graciously bow out.

i've never had someone try and trick me into a job like that before. and her pant suit was way too tight.

FYI: Be wary of any position that says "entry level marketing" as their description. I've gone to an interview before where I thought it was a position for someone wanting to get into marketing, and really it was selling knives. Not that there doesn't have to be someone out there to sell knives, but PLEASE don't act like you're there to train me how to be a marketing professional, either!

I'm so tempted to start a list of all the companies that try to trick you this way, so you all know who to stay away from. That way we can all learn!

As of 11-29-04 I will be the Direct Marketing Coordinator for a very well known national suppliment company. I am so excited. I can't wait to start this new job!!

On December 6, I will be starting a new job!! I'll still be a case worker, just at a different agency. I am really excited about it because this job pays me SO much more than the job I am currently at.

Pending store-management approval, it looks like I will be transfering out of the deli and over to Starbucks the day after Christmas.

I was recently promoted to Assistant Branch Manager of my office and soon I will become the Branch Manager...money, money, money, money, MONEY! :)

well i might be promoted to sales manager at my job. my boss is deciding between me and three other girls. i should know in a couple of weeks for sure. wish me luck!

shelley j
sigma k

In a bizarre case of good timing...

My new job (I've been here three months) just took a good turn. My boss is leaving after the new year and I'm being promoted to head of the marketing department!

I just became an Admiral in the Swiss Navy!

I start my new job in Delray Beach, FL on January 17. I'll be working for a groundwater & soil remediation company!!!! Woohoo!!!!!

Yeah - starting January 3rd, I will be a Staffing Coordinator for a graphic design recruitment agency! I was already their Resume Coordinator so its a full promotion - new office, new business cards, new salary! Yeah!

I am making a career change and January 17th I begin my life as a financial advisor......

well, it's not completely official yet, but it looks like i got the sales manager position. my boss said he's almost 100% sure i'm the one and that we'd talk about it tomorrow (salary and stuff)

shelley j
sigma k

My new Job
 

I started my new job at the TN Attorney General's Office.

wow, guess i forgot to update. got the sales manager position a few months ago. still love my job even wtih the extra responsibilities. good stuff!

shelley j
sigma k

I am a PT graphic design intern for one of my old clients. Totally flexible, good pay and part time. But it will pay my rent.

I can finally post here now....

I was employed with a company that specializes in sending people out to sub at various preschools. Anyway, I accepted an assignment at this Montessori school as an assitant teacher at the beginning of Feb. The director loved me so much, that she offered my full-time employment. I no longer sub, I'm a regular employee :)

I just got promoted at work... I'm now an Executive Assistant/Office Manager/Communications Manager (pick your title, we haven't!). I know it doesn't sound like a promotion from Banquet Manager, but it actually is. I'm having SO much fun... I get to work with our membership director on membership promotions and such. It's a step above entry-level, but still VERY exciting to be on the right track to be a "big dog" within the next 5-10 years. :-)

I start my new job on Monday! I'm so excited !!!! It's my first "big kid" job :p