Put in charge of surgical services aids, need advice

Specialties Operating Room

Published

I recently had a chance to talk with the director of my operating room, and I was asked if I had any concerns. I pointed out the performance of surgical services aids was extremely poor (by surgical service aids i mean people who are tasked with assistance transferring patients, cleaning rooms/the OR itself, getting meds from pharmacy etc)

By surprise I was then offered the opportunity to be in charge of all the surgical services aids, and being young and ambitious I of course accepted (not to mention I felt like I can improve an area that is is severely lacking, which makes everybody else's jobs more stressful and difficult)

I know literally nothing about surgical services aids, and don't have a ton of experience being directly in charge of other people.

Any suggestions or resources for me to be successful with this? I want to put systems in place that will help make the place more efficient and enjoyable for staff and patients alike. And know I will get very little support (at least from above) because this is an area nobody has ever wanted to take any responsibility for

Wow, you got *crickets* on this question!

I'm going to just put this out there....

You already mentioned you aren't expecting much support & that you're aware that this is an area that no one has wanted to take any responsibility for, sooo?

ORs can be brutal, can we all agree? And support staff are notorious for being resentful of change, folks telling them what to do, how to do it, or even telling them good morning. So please pardon me for being blunt, but it sounds like a set up. Maybe not an intentional, diabolical , mal-intent set up, but a set up nonetheless.

It's been a few weeks since your post, how's it going? Have received any leadership guidance or feedback from the aids themselves?

+ Add a Comment