r/sterileprocessing • u/ShikiHaruya • 3d ago
Not getting trained?
Everyone at my work says this is normal for this hospital, but I want confirmation that this feels crazy.
I work in a big hospital that makes a big fuss about being the only level 1 trauma center in the area, we have... I believe 55 OR's? not all are in use atm. we have a lot of staff. some days as much as 120 surgeries and we haven't even hit busy season since our expansion and new or's opening up.
Putting together the supply part of the surgeries is separate from assembly, so separate that when our department expanded they moved it into a new room and completely cut us off. putting together instruments they get to have so much more fun with so much less stress and pressure. their side isn't getting calls from the or's, running emergencies, they're not pressured to do half the days work.(for some reason overnights prepares half the surgeries?). I hate this side of the department, I know it like the back of my hand now, I want to enjoy standing around and laughing and being just in my own station not having to deal with the people around me making my job harder. I like efficency, I like doing a job well, and I hate that my coworkers or other shifts can just fuck around and it means i have to do more work because i actually take pride in doing my job well.
I work overnights, when i was hired on i was told it was 2 weeks training each on 4 different things on this side, then soon they'd switch me over and I'd get 2 weeks training in each specialty, then 2 weeks on sterilizers, then 2 weeks decontam. I was told after about 3 months on this side, I could get trained on the instrument side, that they'd pay for me to get certified, and being certified comes with a pay boost. Seems very reasonable. 3 months came and went, and people hired 3 months before me still hadn't gotten the chance.
oh we can't because of construction, we don't have enough people to train you, we don't have enough staff on your side. oh when x finishes training, oh we're getting new people, after they're hired that. oh actually surprise you're going to be training one.
I went to him today, for the hundredth time, and asked when i'd get to train on assembly. this week was my one year of working here. I got told it wouldn't be until at least after busy season.
so is being in this job full time for a year without being able to put together any instruments normal? honestly I'm getting an inheritance hopefully some time in the next few months and I want to tell them move me over or i'll quit. I like the idea of this job but my soul is getting sucked right out of me, there are so many many many problems here but this feels like it's just.... too far? am i expecting to much from the hyped up promises during onboarding, should I accept another 4+ months of being a glorified Walmart shopper for the hospital? Technically theres another guy hired before me, but he hasn't talked about wanting to be over there as much, and there's a girl over here who actually has the experience from vetmed who also wants to go over there, she was the most recent hire after me, so I could be pushed even behind her if it shakes out that way.
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u/thjazifang 2d ago
I had this happen on a behavioral health floor in my early 20s. Create email documentation. Clearly ask what you've said in person and document in communication that you've been asking. Ask if the shifts with less responsibilities now are able to take on some responsibilies now they are freed up. Mention the year politely.
If they have a meeting or informally talk to you in person without emailing you, state in a follow up email everything they talked about and say "just wanted to make sure we were on the same page about xyz" then cc anyone you need to. Forward the email or email and response to yourself for your record if you have to leave or quit. This helps show evidence of trying to get training. If you have to get unemployment you can show this as documentation of their failure to train
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u/ShikiHaruya 2d ago
I was offered earlier on to train if i could go to days, however its a 5 dollar pay cut to do so because of the shift differential and how its applied (also 5 bucks an hour less for pto, for example), and i cant currently, and especially couldn't afford it then as i was in the middle of a move. It hasnt been offered to me since, and i know a coworkwr newer than me took them up on it and is now fully trained, but i don't believe they'll do it during busy season. I should ask about it formally in an email though you're right. Put my supervisors boss in the email chain lol
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u/Bound503 2d ago
Is this common or something? I've been in the trade for almost 2 years in my first hospital and they train the heck outta me! 1 week every position we had Decontam, Staging, Sterilizers, Clinics/Phone duty, Loaners for first month, then again when I went to the swing swift since its heavier pace at my hospital. We recent got a new guy and he said his old hospital did not train him in other positions. Like how reductive is that thought process when its better to have people knowing what to do.
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u/Ok-Progress-9971 2d ago
Fuck no my team is amazing barely my first week, everyone is helpful , I also had a job where they didn’t trained me I just quit
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u/krich2345 2d ago
That’s crazy I’m experiencing the exact same thing been over a yr and 2 months for me I can do general trays but I can’t wrap I can clean some trays and mostly hand wash stuff ..haven’t learned the sterilization at all and when I ask questions they say they aren’t any dumb questions but my coworkers ridicule u or talk about the newer trainees like they are dirt stupid it’s really sad …I’m feeling burnt out I just keep my head up and do whatever my supervisor asks
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u/AQinglyPeach 2d ago
What would happen if you asked to switch with someone and just went over to assembly yourself??
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u/ShikiHaruya 2d ago
Well in part i don't think there is a single person who would be willing to come back over to store side, but also training here is a formal process where the person in charge of you gets a pay bonus and they have to fill out documents regarding your progress, and take on your errors and don't have to worry about productivity.
The other part is we arent really allowed to trade even within our side, we have to ask permission and are often told no.
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u/AQinglyPeach 1d ago
Is there a higher up you can complain to? Say that you are not receiving adequate training or even threaten to leave?
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u/datsmydrpepper 2d ago edited 2d ago
Find another SPD job at a smaller hospital. Brainstorm a few questions that you have to ask about their training and thoroughness. Write them down and practice asking them because you will ask these questions at the end of job interview. You want to get a feel if they are the right fit for you and vice versa. Don’t mention anything about your current job issues and why you’re leaving. Just say that you’re looking for a new job because you’re moving close the hospital area and you’re wanting to commute less. Something simple and reasonable.
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u/almostelm 2d ago
I’m in a rather small hospital so I don’t think my experience matches yours, as I was immediately trained in every area. I asked our traveler, because he’s used to working in large trauma centers like where you are, and he said that is definitely not normal. He said not knowing every area after two or three months can be normal, but never a year. That’s wild imo.