I am a CMA. I realize this is a nursing board, but I have not come across a board for Medical Assistants. I just started a new job at a private practice about a month ago. For the first two weeks, my co-workers were nice enough and fairly helpful. This did not last long.
I am the youngest and by far the least experienced. I have no idea how I got in charge of what I feel is the most difficult/critical job: handling the narcotic medications by myself. I am responsible for dispensing medication and keeping up with the inventory in the system. On top of that I am responsible for making sure all paperwork is ready for the appointments/taking patients back and getting them ready for the doctor. I get really overwhelmed with all this work and don't have a minute to breath. My coworkers are lazy and spend a lot of time gossiping and looking at their phones and asking me to do things like take a patient back, call so and so when they can see I'm already swamped and stressed out. I told my boss this and she said I am overwhelmed because this is all new, but I will get the hang of it.
This week we were short a bottle of narcotics, or according to my co-workers we were. Right away, my co-workers accused me of stealing since I am the one who takes care of the meds. They were ready to tell on me and get me fired. I told them I would never steal anything and they continued to question me. Why are we short? What happened to the medication? I informed them I always triple check everything when I dispense meds, so I couldn't of dispensed it by mistake. I keep inventory. In the computer it said we had 0 on hand of the narcotics I was accused of stealing. So there was no way I could have stolen it since the computer proved it was all dispensed. I told them who I dispensed to.
When I did the inventory on 10/23, we had three bottles on hand. This week, I dispensed those three, so we were not short like my co-worker said we were.
When I did the inventory on 10/16, we five on hand. The week ending on 10/23, two were dispensed. So,when I did the inventory on 10/23, we would of had three. So in two weeks, I dispensed four of the bottles and my coworker said she dispensed one.
Somehow a miscount had to of occurr. For the week I counted five bottles of the narcotics on hand, another coworker said there should have been six. So she kept insisting one was missing even though it wasn't. Later that day I was talking to the doctor about a patient's medication, and when I got out of the room, my co-worker who insisted there should have been six bottles started questing me on what I was talking to the doctor about in a really snappy tone.
Then my co-workers continued to scold me on how I need to be extra careful and write everything down, which I do. I always triple check my work, which is why I was surprised this happened. Sometimes I even count twice to make sure my count is correct.
For the rest of the day, I felt like they were talking about me. I'd hear them whispering in the other room and whenever I walked by, they would get quiet and stare at me.
I just couldn't believe how they immediately accused me of stealing the meds and this incident kinda ruined the weekend for me. I feel like no one has eachothers back anymore, especially at this place. There is no teamwork. I feel like I am constantly covering my behind, defending myself, and walking on eggshells around these people. They constantly question what I'm doing like they can't wait to catch me doing something wrong so they could get me in trouble.
Has as anyone had similar experiences? And how do I handle working in this environment? I don't necessarily want to find another job because I like the doctor and the patients. Plus, I've only been there a month and that wouldn't sound good on a job app.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
This is verified by the doctor. The doctor is the one who prescribes the meds. I am not dispensing anything without the doctors permission. The doctor sees the patients/talks to them about their meds before they leave with them.
Check your state guidelines. MAs cannot hand over a bottle of narcotics in many states regardless if the physician prescribes or not
ALWAYS COUNT NARCOTICS WITH ANOTHER PERSON AND HAVE THE SIGN OFF! You have to protect yourself and I'm pretty that is the policy across the board in that situation.
JustBeachyNurse, LPN
13,957 Posts
Check your state guidelines. MAs cannot hand over a bottle of narcotics in many states regardless if the physician prescribes or not