HELP: Must choose Methadone Clinic Job Offer Tomorrow

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Hi everyone,

I got a job offer today to work in a Methadone Clinic. Due to the high volume of applicants and their need to fill the position quick they told me that I must make my decision tomorrow. Talk about being nervous.

I do love my current job but the pay is horrible so I work extra hours to compensate. Also, a lot of nurses have been laid off. I am worried about my job security in my current position.

Working in a Methadone clinic has always appealed to me for some reason. I would like to help those that help from chemical dependency. I also love routine work and am very detail oriented.

I need insight. For those of you who work in a Methadone clinic, what is your typical day like? What do you like about it? Dislike about it?

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

What exactly does one do in a methadone clinic?

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I would be suspicious of any job offer that forced a decision the next day.

Why is this position open, what happened to the previous nurse?

Have a feeling they need a body, any body ,to show up at 5:30 AM and hand out Methadone. This is not "helping to recover from chemical dependency".

Only you know if this position is an improvement over your current one. Is it full time and would your receive benefits?

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Thank you for the reply. I know what you mean about making a quick choice. I have asked to shadow to make sure I like it and she stated that she never had anyone ask her that question. She didn't think rules and regulations (Hippa Violation) would allow that. She said one of their nurses last day is this week. When interviewing me, she said she had interviewed quite a few before me and still had a few more to interview after me. This has led me to believe they need something quick and they can just go to there next applicant. It's a highly sought after job here. Pay is great. Benefits are great and it would be full time. I just wished I knew if I'd like it for sure. I know it isn't all about the money but I would be making $3 more an hour. Ugh! Decisions.

I desperately need help, lol

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You don't live in NC by any chance do you? I ask because I am actually leaving my job at a methadone clinic and my last day is this week.

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You don't live in NC by any chance do you? I ask because I am actually leaving my job at a methadone clinic and my last day is this week.

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No, not NC. Can I ask you why you are leaving.? What do you like and dislike about working in the clinic? I need someone who has experience to fill me in so I know what I can be prepared for if I take it. Thank you!

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I am leaving because I could just not get used to the early mornings (5am to 1pm) and the other nurses I worked with were gossipy and unfriendly. It's a small clinic in a rural area and I felt the gossip was unfair to the clients (everyone knows everyone). For me, the clients were the best part of the job but I believe my co workers were jaded....they have been doing this for too long. I basically dispensed methadone, made take home bottles, assessed for impairment or the need to increase dosage, did coordination of care with the clients pcps and made sure all the methadone was accounted for. I think it could be a good job for someone who likes routine and very strict rules. Me....I felt like I was in jail and just couldn't get the hang of the ever changing rules. Let me know if you have any more questions.

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Thank you RENnurse for your reply. Were you a cashier too? If so, did you use a cash drawer or cash register? The lady that interviewed me said we had to be cashiers as well. LOL. I haven't done that since my first job at a fast food restaurant. This is a totally different type of nursing for sure!

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Not a cashier. We had a front office that handled that. That seems like a lot. Have you accepted the offer?

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No, I haven't. The nurse that interviewed me said she needed to get a few things taken care of before I was "officially hired". This has allowed me to bide some extra time. Researching what it would be like to work in a methadone clinic as a nurse and I have also talked with 2 nurses who have already worked there. 1 nurse had nothing but negative things to say. The other said it was low stress compared to a nursing home but you do have to "watch your back" as one of their seasoned nurses likes to steal methadone. She said as long as I can turn a blind eye to that. WHAT?! Are you kidding?! I didn't work this hard for my license to possibly have it taken away.

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The one nurse I talked to I didn't know well (She was a friend of a friend). She could have been fired for all I know. She worked there for 5 years. She told me that management is practically non-existent. The nurses are left to resolve their own problems and If you have issues with a patient, you are pretty much on your own. She did say she received several death threats. Okay, I know I will be working with addicts so that doesn't bother me. What does bother me is the lack of support she said I will receive.

The other nurse I talked with told me it wasn't that bad but that one seasoned nurse there will take left over methadone "waste". She did go to management who did nothing. They even have a camera in the dosing room so management can see what is going on but does nothing. I don't understand this.

The pay is GREAT, benefits are GREAT, and the hours are GREAT but dealing with thousands and thousands of dollars along with all the methadone and suboxone doesn't sound so appealing.

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