Update to working in methadone clinic

Published

Hi everyone,

Figured I would post this to bascially blow off some steam. I posted a couple of months ago about a methadone clinic near me hiring and asking if anyone had info. Well....

By the time I sent in my resume they had already hired someone for the position. I have been looking continuously, but there is nothing available near me except LTC and I am not going down that road again. Anyhow, the methadone clinic once again posted positions, both part-time and full time. Since I am basically looking for part-time because of school and an elderly parent I was elated and hurriedly sent in the resume. I got an interview last week. I thought everything went really well. I was told to go and get a drug screen and that I would have to get and pay for my own background check. I thought this was sort of strange since I had never had to do that before.

It took me two days to get the background check done because of the computer system being down at the police station. When I finally managed to get it done I turned it in last Thursday and was told I would hear something by Monday, which was yesterday. I waited until this morning to call the woman who interviewed me and was told, "unfortunately since you have a criminal background, I will be unable to hire you". I said, "you mean the DUI I got when I was 18", (this was 27 years ago). She told me, "yes".

Frankly I am more than a little annoyed. She could have saved me a lot of trouble (and money out of my pocket) by disclosing during the interview process that if I had ANYthing on my record I would be disqualified from employment. I could have maybe understood this if I had drug charges or something, but sheesh! That DUI from so long ago continues to cause me grief. I went through he** getting my license issued last year because of it.

So anyhow, now back to square one. I have tried two nursing homes and I just can't bring myself to try another one.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

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Specializes in Mostly geri :).

What a pain, I'm sorry :(

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Specializes in Home Health, Education.

Hang in there! Hopefully you'll interview with a manager that'll be willing to overlook that mistake you made over half a lifetime ago.

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Thanks for the support. I must admit I am getting really down in the dumps. It is basically not in my nature to be this way, but I keep getting knocked down each time I try something. I have been graduated a year now and licensed since October of last year. I just truly wish I could find employment that would work for me. Everyone keeps telling me I will find something... but I am beginning to wonder lol. I am honestly contemplating canceling my upcoming classes.

You guys have a great evening!

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Specializes in LTC, AL, Corrections, Home health.

Well unfortunately that's that way it goes... Most places, I would assume, would be willing to over look such a thing considering the length of time and everything, but it did involve a potentially addictive substance. Rehab and methadone clinics as well as correctional facilities that hire nurses are far more picky in regards to criminal background just because the nature of the work and population you are caring for.

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Yes and I can truly understand being careful who is hired.. but 27 years is a LONG time. While I understand that alcohol is just as addictive as drugs are... a person who TRULY has issues with alcohol generally doesn't have ONE incident in their entire life as a teenager.... most of the time it continues on. I speak from experience on this, as I have a recovering alcoholic in my family.

I delivered mail and drove Federal vehicles for three years and THEY weren't worried about it. It would have been nice if the facility had divulged this information before I spent both my time and money pursuing something I didn't have a snowball's chance in Hades of getting. You can bet one thing though.... I will ASK up front from now on! It is not something I am ashamed of or make any effort to hide.. it is something I did when I was young and ignorant and I have always been honest about it.

Hope everyone has a great day!

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Specializes in LTC, AL, Corrections, Home health.

I wasn't justifying it, doesn't seem fair to me either. sorry...

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I didn't mean to come across as being ugly :). I apologize if that is the way it sounded! I am just sooo... chomping at the bit to find a place to work. LTC really chewed me up and spit me out and that seems to be all that is available here. I really had high hopes for this position and sure was disappointed! But I will "keep on keeping on".

Have a great evening!

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Sorry about that, but remember you WILL get a job elsewhere. I know that those background checks are routinely done everywhere now even for retail jobs. I worked for a very big craft and supply company that also does this routinely and while working there a co-worker was let go after being hired and worked for an entire 2 weeks.The background check they ran came back with similar information she was very upset that a DUI over a decade ago could still haunt her.I wonder what the best approach would be ....to ask upfront perhaps what they are looking for..although I tend to think that it is subjective and probably up to some person that doesn't even really take every case individually.

Also, I was thinking that alot of employers also screen people out with credit problems... I ran across applications that I have filled out with that page stating a consumer credit report would also be done on me!! ....:uhoh3:

JUST DONT GIVE UP !!

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Hi Irish,

Sheesh I wish it HAD been a credit report they ran!! THAT is one arena I don't have any problems with! In fact I remember the last time we purchased a vehicle... the freaking salesman was practically RUNNING back out the establishment to tell me I could pretty much buy anything they had *sigh*.

I am afraid I am still not having any luck with finding a job. I did began classes earlier this month to eventually finish my RN, but frankly I am beginning to wonder if I should even continue. There are tons of nursing homes hiring here (the constant ads for those should tell you something right there).. but as I mentioned in my previous posts I just don't want a repeat performance of what I have already experienced!... I have tried really hard to be positive and keep my head up. However, I must admit I have been feeling pretty glum lately... pretty much like a failure if you want to know the truth. I have applied for everything outside of LTC I have found and even signed up for Mollen's flu shot clinic. Due to the fact I spent many years being a homemaker while my children were growing up I don't have a lot of work experience so I can only guess that doesn't help me very much.

This was the same issue I had when I went to school for medical transcription several years ago. I couldn't find work when I got out of school because I didn't have any experience. I did eventually land transcription work through a fluke and typed my fingers off for about five years. Unfortunately it didn't last. This was my greatest fear throughout LPN school that I would find the same situation once I got out... and to my dismay that has been the case. I was a great student and graduated with honors.... hasn't done me a lot of good though:) I have been graduated over a year now and I can't help but wonder as the time passes will I still be hirable.

Have a great day!

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Pegasus65... I returned to this post because I remembered that my brother had a DUI on his 21st birthday and that was real bad, but anyway the point is it has been well over 14 years and I think that according to the state you reside in, that DUI can be removed ...but I am not sure...you have to find some legal advice about that..I know that there is a way...there are many atty's that specialize in this process...its called "DUI EXPUNGEMENT". If you do a google search you will come up with alot of info on the process.

Hope this helps ! :)

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