I hesitate to submit this issue, as I know that most Techs, Aides, and HUCS are dedicated and professional, and that I could NOT do my job without these coworkers. Therein lies the problem. On the Critical Care Unit where I work we have many professionals in these positions who are wonderful, hardworking, thoughtful, empathetic and professional. Most of them are. We also have two who have driven me to distraction the last 10 years, and I no longer know how to cope with them.
These two HUCS are long-time employees of my institution (not as long as I have been employed here, but close.) Both are friendly with management, and have frankly gotten away with murder for most of their employment. Neither one actually comes to work to do their jobs. Both appear to work primarily to bolster their social lives. Both are "talkers", which is fine if it doesn't interfere with one's ability to perform their assigned tasks. Unfortunately, both have discovered that they are above reproach (apparently) and are able to do whatever they wish, or nothing at all, and no one will challenge their performance.
One is a mid-50s lady who has been divorced for a long time and has been searching (for a long time) for a man. Any man. Doctors preferred. When a physician, or some other man, is present on the pod, she is unwilling or unable to perform any of her work tasks. She moves her chair up close to said gentleman, and embarks on an embarrassing attempt to throw herself at whatever male is present. If requested to do her tasks, (i.e.: glucose checks, retrieve blood from the blood bank, print out order sets, etc. ), she looks at whichever nurse made the request, but never drops a beat in her intimate conversations with the physicians, whom she always addresses by their first names. It seems some of them have been embarrassed by her antics, while others seem to find it quite flattering. HUCs are responsible for blood sugar testing on our Unit, and when asked (at 0830) "Did you get the 8 AM gluc?", if she responds at all, we are lucky if she can be moved from her chair to do the glucose check by 9 AM. I certainly don't mind doing my own gluc checks, but when I'm giving blood and titrating vasoactive drips, all the while preparing an unstable patient for O.R., I just can't be everywhere at once.
Today I asked her to go to the waiting room to bring in a family of a man who was dying, but she could not be bothered. She did not move from her chair. (She was busy throwing herself at the physician at the next computer.) When confronted with the lack of response, she stated "I looked, but they weren't there." This was a blatant lie, as I had found the family waiting by the door in tears hoping to see their father/husband before he died.
This particular HUC, and another one as well, appear to have "special dispensation" from our Unit Directors. Any complaint about their unprofessionalism, or the fact that they just do not do their jobs, is turned back on the RN with "Well, sometimes you just need to do those tasks yourself. She/He "is a valued member of our staff, and your expectations are unfair." Bear in mind that the other HUCs and PCTs have no difficulty performing the same tasks in a timely and efficient manner, usually without any prompting.
I am at the end of my rope! I am so tired of being angry all the time at work because I have no support to care for my patients! The truth is that I really NEED a professional to be working in the HUC capacity, because adequately performing my job depends upon having a HUC coworker who is professionally performing their job. We are a team. I NEED them to work with me to provide safe and quality patient care.
I know from experience that speaking with these particular people results in a passive-aggressive work slow-down or stoppage. I also know that speaking with my Unit manager has absolutely NO effect. I am so tired of struggling, and leaving work angry (and late) due to lack of help. I truly do not know where to go from here.
I would appreciate any constructive advice offerred.
