Dealing with Unlicensed Assistive Personnell (i.e. techs, cnas, etc.)

[luvbug9956]

I have become quite concerned recently about the work ethic of our nursing tech. More concerning, however, is the way that the problem is being dealt with. I work at an ambulatory infusion clinic. Most of the patient care is done by RN's, and we have about 9 RN's per shift. We have one nursing tech who works 9-5 M-F; her responsibilities include taking each patient's vital signs and weighing them upon coming into the clinic, drawing blood (which we rarely delegate, so she doesn't do it much), delivering comfort items (blankets, drinks, etc.), and filling our supply carts at the end of her shift. When compared to the responsibilities of inpatient nursing techs, I don't think that she realizes how good she has it!

She is a single mother of 3 and has to take public transportation to work. Here are the incidents that have occurred in just a few months time:

1. Several personal sick calls

2. Several sick calls re: her children's illnesses

3. Two deaths in the family

4. Two no-show, no-calls

5. Multiple days requested off for things like jury duty, children's doctor appointments, and evictions (which all sounds a bit suspicious...)

I understand that she does not have support and has a difficult life to deal with. However, we need the help! Each nurse sees about 8 or 9 patients per day, and 4 or 5 are in-depth infusions; her help is vital to us. The nurse manager has done everything possible: counseling, work ethic lectures, an in-depth job descriptions...we even gave her her own space with her Dinamap, scale, and computer-on-wheels to help make her feel more valuable. The issue is, she is union, and there are steps that need to be made. It is so frustrating for the nurses, because she will be thisclose to being fired, then has a bout of good attendance, after which action must be started all over again due to union rules. She is playing the system, is quite manipulative, and I am personally tired of all the crocodile tears. I am very compassionate to the single, working mother, but this has gotten ridiculous...anyone have any advice for how to deal with staff that have poor work ethic? How can we make her see how good she really has it!!!! Is she taking advantage of us??

[Anagray, BSN]

I understand that you have a big heart, but sometimes we can not continue begging an irresponsible person or a person with multiple problems to start doing their job and adhere to reasonable attendance policy. I've sat down with a tech who had smiliar issues and told her that we like her and want to see her succeed, that patients love her, etc. but if in the next 30 days smiliar behavior repeats she will have to be let go, because rules are rules. If someone can not adhere to a schedule, maybe agency is a place with more flexibility.

I don't like to do things like that, but a trial period is probably the only solution if you are not willing to let her go. Good luck!

Nat

[tryin4newlife]

I feel for your situation. This behavior is bad for morale. I have worked with people who sound just like this woman, and you begin to get really tired of dragging yourself into work and doing the best for your patients when others just seem to skim by...... Hang in there:nuke:

[vamedic4, EMT-P]

I have become quite concerned recently about the work ethic of our nursing tech. More concerning, however, is the way that the problem is being dealt with. I work at an ambulatory infusion clinic. Most of the patient care is done by RN's, and we have about 9 RN's per shift. We have one nursing tech who works 9-5 M-F; her responsibilities include taking each patient's vital signs and weighing them upon coming into the clinic, drawing blood (which we rarely delegate, so she doesn't do it much), delivering comfort items (blankets, drinks, etc.), and filling our supply carts at the end of her shift. When compared to the responsibilities of inpatient nursing techs, I don't think that she realizes how good she has it!

She is a single mother of 3 and has to take public transportation to work. Here are the incidents that have occurred in just a few months time:

1. Several personal sick calls

2. Several sick calls re: her children's illnesses

3. Two deaths in the family

4. Two no-show, no-calls This alone would be all necessary to fire her at my facility.

Sounds as if you're right...she's playing the system. And that does nothing but increase the workload for you nurses. I hope a solution presents itself soon.

vamedic4

[HeatherB,CST]

I am sorry you have to deal with this problem, it does make for a rotten situation when someone is not living up to their responsibilities.

That said, I am confused about the title of the thread, in relation to the actual subject of the post. You described the unacceptable and difficult behavior of ONE person who HAPPENS to be a tech. The title of the thread suggests (at least the way I interpret it) that this problem is typical of "unlicensed assistive personnel".

I hope I have misinterpreted your words. Did you intend to lump all "techs, cnas, etc." into a group of people who call in too frequently, and do not behave professionally in general?

[HeatherB,CST]

I also would like to add that for many years, I worked as a hairstylist. The "no-show, no-call" shenanigans would definitely have been grounds for dismissal of any of our apprentices, or licensed stylists for that matter, in my salon. The FIRST time.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

I dont know anything about this woman but...

Some want to be shown the door as soon as possible so they can continue to draw unemployment. It would be interesting to see where this woman actually is coming from. Did she have a job prior and how long ago? It only takes a few months of employment to be eligible again to draw full benefits and its several months before they HAVE to take a job that doesnt pay as much as the last one they had. Could it be she is trying to buck the system and get herself canned?

[allantiques4me]

The nocall no shows would be grounds for termination for sure,especially back in the day I was a Tech.How irresponsible and selfish.

[tattooednursie, LVN]

I am sorry you have to deal with this problem, it does make for a rotten situation when someone is not living up to their responsibilities.

That said, I am confused about the title of the thread, in relation to the actual subject of the post. You described the unacceptable and difficult behavior of ONE person who HAPPENS to be a tech. The title of the thread suggests (at least the way I interpret it) that this problem is typical of "unlicensed assistive personnel".

I hope I have misinterpreted your words. Did you intend to lump all "techs, cnas, etc." into a group of people who call in too frequently, and do not behave professionally in general?

I'm sure she didn't mean it that way. There are many great techs and aides out there, but YES there are a few that are like that. I admit that I don't always want to come to work, nor do I really look forward to being on my feet for 12 hours lifting, feeding, cleaning poop and whatever else happens to come out, doing a zillion vital signs, making beds, showering people, getting slapped around . . . among other things (might I add this particular tech has it pretty good) but i do my job anyway, because that is the job I took on, and i am being paid to be there to work, so I might as well work.

I know she's a single mom, and I can understand that things happen with children but i am sure she has friends somewhere to take some of the load off so that she can work. I mean I'm sure she could find a trustworthy person to take one of her children to a dr. appointment, arrangements CAN be made. As for the no-call-no-show crap. There is NO excuse for that. It is not hard to pick up a phone and say "Hey, I'm not going to be in today." I think the facility where I work is too lenient on that. if you no call no show 3 times you're fired. Like I said i think that is too lenient. She can't use the I forgot I had to work bit . . . she has a steady schedual! LOL Sorry. I had to rant too.

[Jo Dirt]

Yes, she is taking advantage of the whole situation! Makes working mothers everywhere look bad.

I'm not perfect but if there is one thing I cannot stand it is people who make a habit out of calling out for work (or worse, not showing up).

It's too bad you can't find a replacement for her, I doubt even a union would condone her games.

[VegRN]

I have become quite concerned recently about the work ethic of our nursing tech. More concerning, however, is the way that the problem is being dealt with. I work at an ambulatory infusion clinic. Most of the patient care is done by RN's, and we have about 9 RN's per shift. We have one nursing tech who works 9-5 M-F; her responsibilities include taking each patient's vital signs and weighing them upon coming into the clinic, drawing blood (which we rarely delegate, so she doesn't do it much), delivering comfort items (blankets, drinks, etc.), and filling our supply carts at the end of her shift. When compared to the responsibilities of inpatient nursing techs, I don't think that she realizes how good she has it!

She is a single mother of 3 and has to take public transportation to work. Here are the incidents that have occurred in just a few months time:

1. Several personal sick calls

2. Several sick calls re: her children's illnesses

3. Two deaths in the family

4. Two no-show, no-calls

5. Multiple days requested off for things like jury duty, children's doctor appointments, and evictions (which all sounds a bit suspicious...)

I understand that she does not have support and has a difficult life to deal with. However, we need the help! Each nurse sees about 8 or 9 patients per day, and 4 or 5 are in-depth infusions; her help is vital to us. The nurse manager has done everything possible: counseling, work ethic lectures, an in-depth job descriptions...we even gave her her own space with her Dinamap, scale, and computer-on-wheels to help make her feel more valuable. The issue is, she is union, and there are steps that need to be made. It is so frustrating for the nurses, because she will be thisclose to being fired, then has a bout of good attendance, after which action must be started all over again due to union rules. She is playing the system, is quite manipulative, and I am personally tired of all the crocodile tears. I am very compassionate to the single, working mother, but this has gotten ridiculous...anyone have any advice for how to deal with staff that have poor work ethic? How can we make her see how good she really has it!!!! Is she taking advantage of us??

We must have the same coworker. This situation is sooo very similar to the horrible tech I am dealing with now.

The only thing I can tell you is to keep on writing her up for policy violations when you can and get after your manager about this stuff too. Keep putting pressure on management all the way up. Hopefully, eventually she will get sick of the pressure on her to actually do her job or management will actually grow some you know what and fire her.

[I_am_Julia]

trusting someone other than a parent so readily is very irrisponsible. this woman may be in this city alone therefore there isn't the type of support other mothers may have. personally, i wouldn't ever let anyone besides the child's father take them to a doctor's appt.

**to answer the op, follow hr protocol always with each person and situations like this shouldn't happen. the department or whomever is in charge of her, from what you've posted, has dropped the ball regarding formal documentation.

i'm sure she didn't mean it that way. there are many great techs and aides out there, but yes there are a few that are like that. i admit that i don't always want to come to work, nor do i really look forward to being on my feet for 12 hours lifting, feeding, cleaning poop and whatever else happens to come out, doing a zillion vital signs, making beds, showering people, getting slapped around . . . among other things (might i add this particular tech has it pretty good) but i do my job anyway, because that is the job i took on, and i am being paid to be there to work, so i might as well work.

i know she's a single mom, and i can understand that things happen with children but i am sure she has friends somewhere to take some of the load off so that she can work. i mean i'm sure she could find a trustworthy person to take one of her children to a dr. appointment, arrangements can be made. as for the no-call-no-show crap. there is no excuse for that. it is not hard to pick up a phone and say "hey, i'm not going to be in today." i think the facility where i work is too lenient on that. if you no call no show 3 times you're fired. like i said i think that is too lenient. she can't use the i forgot i had to work bit . . . she has a steady schedual! lol sorry. i had to rant too.