When hospital employees overstep their job descriptions...

[rnccf2007, BSN, RN]

A Unit Secretary, who is a family member of our CEO, was recently hired. I was told who she was related to by other employees. To be honest, I don't care who she is related to, as long as she does her job. Many people have told me, "Watch your back...be careful what you say and do, etc." Once again, I don't care, because I am a good nurse. If I have what may be considered a "complaint," it related to things that effect the nursing care of my patients and advocating for them. I then follow the chain of command to my voice concerns.

However, she (the Unit Secretary) is starting to overstep her job description. Some examples of my personal experience: Last week, she came into a room where I was starting a blood transfusion. She informed me, "You have 30 minutes to start that." I just ignored her. Last night, I asked another RN and an NA to assist me with a blood draw on a confused patient. The next thing I knew, she (the Unit Secretary) was at the foot of the bed talking to the patient, agitating her even more. Now, the charge nurse hearing the commotion is in the room asking "Do you need my help." My response, "No, we can do this, but I don't need an audience." She got the hint and asked the Unit Secretary to leave the room. Later in our "Team Huddle," my Nursing Supervisor asked me about the HPI of a patient, because she had not been there in several days. The Unit Secretary told her! "I just looked at her and said, "Wow, you know more about my patients then I do!" I have long suspected that she is looking at patient charts that have nothing to do with her job description and need to know...HIPAA violation. Nursing Supervisor said nothing.

I am posting this, because I am not sure where to go from here. According to co-workers, they have voiced their complaints, but nothing has been done. I am just asking for any suggestions. I have never been in this position.

[smf0903]

If this has been brought up to management and nothing’s been done, then I think I would report anonymously to the compliance hotline (or whatever it’s called). The HIPAA issue is one they wouldn't take lightly, I should hope.

Good luck!

[caliotter3]

If you are going to take on this challenge, prepare to lose your job. Frankly, it looks as if it is time to dust off the resume and see what else is out there. Power struggles where you can’t win are not worth it.