work work work...

i find myself blogging a lot about work. it is most definitely the primary source of stress in my life. futher to that, it is a part of my life which brings me much satisfaction most of the time. so it comes as no surprise it is something i find blog worthy.

today was my last day before annual leave, and being so close to christmas, our department has organised that all staff members get one half-day off in order to get their christmas shopping under control. its all very hush-hush, but it seems like the whole organisation does it.

anyways, this morning i find myself alone in my area as my charge had taken the morning off, and the other two staff members were coming in at 9:00. so that left me, the most junior person in the department, become the most senior person in the immediate area. i should get a business card saying:

Andrew Lim, Acting Charge Radiation Therapist

the previous afternoon, my charge warned me of the situation. i asked her if she was comfortable with me holding the fort, and she said "you'll be fine!"

so normally, theres at least two early shift staff members. i was there doing the job of two, including the administrative duties usually delegated to the charges. university did not prepare me for this.

the first phone call i took was from a patient, who was worried that her postponement of her start date would compromise the effectiveness of treatment. i reassured her that her doctor was aware of the situation and did not have any concerns. i told her that i'd get the doctor to call her when he arrived. one problem solved.

at 9:00 the other two staff members arrived. having not much work to do between the 3 of us, we just did our own things and got stuff organised. these two staff members are not much more qualified than me, only being in the job 1 year more than myself. one, i enjoy working with, the other, i have no faith in. he does his work well, but isn't a leader.

the doctor arrived, i find myself taking control again. i explain to him the situation with the phone call earlier in the morning. i give him everything he needs to make the phone call and he does so. he then goes upstairs to see a few patients. half an hour later, i'm in the computer room doing my own work, and my colleague comes in saying the doctor is on the phone asking for me. i drop what i am doing assuming its regarding the other patient. turns out, he just wanted me to take a prescription. now, taking a prescription is usually left for the charge or at least someone more superior than the intern. at this point i'm freaking out. i was trying so hard to multitask; writing down phone numbers, names, booking CT dates and start dates on the computer while on the phone with the doctor. why he asked me to do it, i don't know...

its weird. i have really cruisy days at work where everything just flows. other days, like today, i get a big arse spanner thrown into the works and i have to pull on resources i never thought i had.

i really needed that off my chest...