What's the most challenging or frustrating part of your job?

Healthcare Purchasing News, Oct, 2001

Michelle Peoples, Central Processing Teacher, Vallejo City Unified School District and Oakland Unified School District, CA

"I am a new teacher in this field and have come across many challenging/frustrating aspects to this field. The most serious one my frustrations with developing a clinical or instrumentation supplement to my program. The changes that have occurred in my state include the FDA guidelines regarding the reuse of single-use devices. As a technician in the field of central processing, my greatest frustrations have centered on the lack of respect for my profession. We are generally considered little more than dishwashers or a delivery service of any supply that any department may need. I beg to differ! We are one of the primary infection control monitors in the hospital. You will find no other department so controlled by government agencies (FDA, EPA. OSHA), not to mention JCAHO. If we mess up, it could cost someone their life! Yet, we are hired at the same rate of pay as environmental services. I find this to be insulting, not only to myself, but to my peers as well."

Richard L. Benjamin, Executive, Materials Management, Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries, Topton, PA

"The most challenging part of my job is rolling out standardization and centralization components throughout multiple facility locations. Our organization has a workforce of several thousand people spread over three states. The materials management department has six buyers and three materials management clerks to support 15 major healthcare facilities and other programs. We have been able to implement standardization and centralization initiatives by working with our customers and leading by example. We seek to be responsive and helpful as we guide them into the appropriate channels relating to acquiring approved products from our preferred vendors and using the appropriate procurement processes."

Lanette L. Rhodes, Infection Control Practitioner, Winchester Medical Center, Winchester, VA

"I think it's notorious in every healthcare setting: timely communication. It's difficult to get that. I don't think it's intentional, but you'll hear, 'By the way, this happened.' I noticed it at the beginning of my healthcare career about 20 years ago. But we've improved with email and new technology."