So around mid Febuary I was looking through my employers job listings. I noticed a opening for the cath lab (posted Jan 30). Wanting to get into a job that's alittle more calm (currently work in a hectic ER) I applied. I knew I had a good chance of transfering because I fit all of the requirments. I email this person about a day or two after I saw the opening, no response, so I call about 3 times over the course of a week (no response , so I leave a message the third time I called). A little over a week later I get a call from the hiring manager. I had worked the night before and I woke up to answer the call.
The person asks me about my experience etc.. etc.. Then she asks if I had any recent disciplines in the last year because if I did I wouldn't be able to transfer. I (being honest) say yes I have one (I was given a ''verbal warning'' because I ommitted drawing one lab, although I had drew the others) So then she says ok I will look at your file.
*mind you each write up only stays in your file for 6 months, that write up is due to come out next month*
It's been two weeks, no response. Now I would expect this if I was an external candidate, but I'm an internal candidate. A. It seems a bit ridiculous to me that one write up in 12 months is all it takes for you to be denied a transfer B. Do you even draw labs in the cath lab? C. She said she would look at my file, so why is is taking 2 weeks for her to get back to me?
I'm thinking of asking my union rep if this is the policy, because something about this doesn't seem right? One discipline and you won't be able to transfer? That's like saying only perfect people qualify for this job?
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
In places I've worked, transfers are not guaranteed. You're applying for a position, just like a new hire is applying for a position. The cath lab may be waiting to find someone with more experience, or they may be concerned about your recent write-up, or they may not think you would be a good fit for the department for some other reason (and as long as that isn't because of race, gender, religion, national origin, etc.) they are well within their rights to do so.
Would I like to be the new CEO of the hospital. Sure. Am I qualified? Ah, no.... If I requested a transfer, would I get the job? No. Are they within their rights to deny me the job and wait for a more suitable candidate? Absolutely.
True what makes the OP's situation different is that it is a Union facility. At Union hospitals there is a definite procedure that is laid out by contract that the poster is obligated/contracted to follow.
Yes, in union workplaces there are rules, but the hospital can often circumvent these rules to meet the needs of the department, the patients, and the business of running a hospital. I have no idea what those exact rules are at that facility, but I'd imagine the hospital has a reason for either delaying, not selecting, or choosing a candidate for a particular job. And, they are practiced enough at doing so that they can pass over an employee for some technicality (a write-up perhaps) when the real reason is some unknown, but possibly more crucial reason like lack of experience, high absenteeism, or poor communication skills. IF that is what is happening.
Unless there is a contractual obligation to transfer a current employee within a certain time period, the department can stall or postpone hiring until someone else applies for a transfer that the department prefers.
I have no idea what the particulars are of this case. It's very possible the cath lab is simply slow finishing the paperwork to facilitate this transfer. Or, they might have some 'agenda'. Either way, approaching the cath lab again with a polite call to say, "I'm really interested in this position, can you tell me when you'll make a decision?" might provide some satisfaction. Typically, until there is an 'event' a person with a contract doesn't have recourse (an event can include the lab hiring someone else, a contractual deadline broken, or the employee got notification that they were not being considered). Once that event takes place there is a breach of contract. It's never prudent to passively wait for a breach. Instead, make it known you are interested in the job, that you want the job, and that you'll be a great asset to the department. Then if they hire someone else, delay beyond the contractual obligations, or tell you they aren't hiring you, you can file with the union. Or, you might seek the union rep's opinion now about what is going on.
I'm confused by this discussion of "delays" and so forth ... when it has only been 2 weeks since OP applied, and she admits that her disciplinary action within the past 12 months is a hindrance to her transfer according to the policies of the facility.
Somehow this does not meet my threshhold for conspiracy theory ...
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I suggested to the OP as well to check her contract and see what the contractural agreements are........as she may not be eligible and check with the rep. As a supervisor, I always HATED grievance hearings......
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN
20,908 Posts
True what makes the OP's situation different is that it is a Union facility. At Union hospitals there is a definite procedure that is laid out by contract that the poster is obligated/contracted to follow.