methadone clinic..good 1st job?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Hi!

I just graduated LPN school in December and have a potential offer for a job at a methadone clinic that I was given today. I was wondering if it might be better to go to LTC for my first job? When I interviwed the supervisor said it was a very flexible sched being that it is open 365 days a year. I want to go back for my RN next year so this sounds appealing to me. However, she stressed there is to be absolutely no calling out because these pts depend on us and it is not like a facility where they have per diem etc to cover me. the shift is early 5-11ish and sat and sunday 630-11ish. but i wouldnt be required to work every weekend. Im thinking this could potentially be kinda a 'cool' place to work..meaning the changing enviroment...and changing dynamics daily..but that can be super stressfull too I imagine..any ideas from seasoned nurses or LPNs who have worked in a methadone clinic or in something similar? She said it looked good on resumes as far as experience..any thoughts? I need to get back to her tomorrow!! HELP!

I like to know if anyone know of any methadone clinic (LPN)in chicago il, i worked at a methadone clinic for 5 months(i enjoyed)until they got closed down it wasnt so stressful and less work then a LTC. So if anyone know of any please let me know

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm working @ inpatient drug rehab, including outpatient methadone clinic. This is my 1st job after getting my license. Been there for 6 months, I work 12 hr graveyard shift. My job descriptions: Assessing pt, admitting pt, administering Tb test, administering vivitrol shot, medication passing (including methadone), some documentation, checking glucose & administering insulin (for diabetic pt), preparing for disccharges.

It's not as complicated as working @ LTC, but I like it.

So hopefully this helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
An explanation of my original letter. 1. Clients of Methadone clinics are usually hard core addicts. The main job of an employee is collecting the fee and dispensing methadone. After that they conduct drug screens and perform other duties to help the clients maintain their criteria for the service.

Clinics are usually located near the areas where there clients congregate. After they get their doses they hang around in the area of the clinic.

Clients are using this service in many cases because they can no longer get their durg of choice for one reason or another.

If this is your first job and you dont stay their long it is no big deal but the longer you stay the more likely future employment opportunities may be limited because people will be suspicious of you and believe that you may be an addict or dealer or both.

People cannot be naieve in how they look at this. Many of the people who own and operate clinics operate the same way as their clients...with violence and criminal activities. So get real and look at the total picture.

http://www.ansauk.org/. *http://www.intnsa.org/fan.php *

Many call working with patients who struggle with addiction A Career and A Passion and A Committment. To anyone wondering if they should work where they want to, my answer is this--why are you a nurse, for resume points? Or is it because you wanted to, at some point, serve people who need you? I personally believe the very definition of a nurse is someone who is found in places where other people won't go. Yes, you need to look out for yourself because you are your own best resource, but I think what is a bigger liability than working in a particular area of health care is the belief that some patients are more deserving than others.:twocents:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If doing this kind of work is your true goal you need only become an LPN as most nurses hired by these clinics are at this level. You may also want to revise your educational goal into counselling or social work type positions as these are the people who have the most contact with clients. When RN's work with addicts they generally are there to oversee health records and physical health of clients. They are rarely in positions to have contact with clients on a regular basis except to dispense medications..

So if this is really yor first job you should talk with someone you trust and discuss whether this is a good beginning to your career. Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.
An explanation of my original letter. 1. Clients of Methadone clinics are usually hard core addicts. The main job of an employee is collecting the fee and dispensing methadone. After that they conduct drug screens and perform other duties to help the clients maintain their criteria for the service.

Clinics are usually located near the areas where there clients congregate. After they get their doses they hang around in the area of the clinic.

Clients are using this service in many cases because they can no longer get their durg of choice for one reason or another.

If this is your first job and you dont stay their long it is no big deal but the longer you stay the more likely future employment opportunities may be limited because people will be suspicious of you and believe that you may be an addict or dealer or both.

People cannot be naieve in how they look at this. Many of the people who own and operate clinics operate the same way as their clients...with violence and criminal activities. So get real and look at the total picture.

You've got to be joking, right?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

And why would I be joking. I have in my career supplied services of various types to these clinics and dealt with their owners face to face. I have watched these same people make statements on tv about what they would do to employees and others that interfered with their way of business.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you for all the comments! There are so many great view points here! I called her and said I would like the job..but part time. ( There was a full and part time position) part time allows me the flexibility to have another job. If I get the job in LTC I can still do it because it is 2nd shift. If this turns out to be too much..I can drop one. I simply can't pass up a job offer in this market--ecspecially 1 at $20.00 an hour. :) The 2nd shift position has state benefits..which I also can't pass up! So I will bite the bullet and work both. That way I also keep two feet in 2 different 'ponds' so to speak..lots of experience! :yeah: As of yesterday afternoon, I got 2 phone calls for 2 more interviews..1 of which was to come back for a 2nd interview. This upcoming tuesday after my interview I will have gone on 7 interviews in 7 days! geesh! This is so nerve racking! So here's my plan..Yes to the clinic. Yes to state. If I dont get the job with the county nursing home, then I would except 1 of the skilled unit jobs I am going for this up coming week (if i got offered that is ) and only 2nd shift so I can maintain the clinic hours. Im putting school on hold..giving it 1 year..hoping the new place I work may be willing to help with tuition. :confused:

I was wondering what you ended up doing? Do you work at the methadone clinic? How'd you like it? just asking as a recent LPN grad - interviewing at one next week...

Thanks!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nursing home vs methadone clinic...a no brainer...a lot less stress and a lot less you can do wrong in a methadone clinic

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Nursing home vs methadone clinic...a no brainer...a lot less stress and a lot less you can do wrong in a methadone clinic

You know your right... It's only PT... but I don't care- I hope I am offered the job! I'll take it!

After I posted this yesterday a former classmate called me - her first day on the job in a ALF, she had 35 residents, 2 CNA's, the only RN was 4 floors down and is the DON - apparently the norm is pulling meds, putting them in little cups for the next pass... seems unsafe to me.. ?? I'm new.. perhaps this is the norm??? :confused:

to me it's shady... so yeah, I'll stick with the addicts and the bad part of town...

Thanks for your advice, as a newbie I feel lost so appreciate it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment