Actual Day One: New Job

So, today was the first actual day at my job. I went in and went straight to my office. People asked me if I was lost or confused . . . to which I responded with a polite no. I knew exactly what I was doing, however they were unfamiliar with me.

I went to the meeting in the morning and everybody was just as sarcastic as I am. It is going to be a good team. I'm still hesitant about how competent they think I am and what they think I did at my previous job, nonetheless I'll do my best.

I met with my supervisor several times that day as she explain certain procedures, showed me how to do certain tasks, and talked to me about some of my new clients. Also, the majority of the people in my hallway came and introduced themselves. It looks like I'll be working with some very good people.

I spent much of the day training, reading, and figuring out about this foreign concept known as productivity. In fact, I've done the math and literally know how competent I need to be to "exceed expectations" at the end of my yearly review. Somehow, with my caseload I don't think that is going to be an issue.

To make a long story short . . . (too late), it was a relaxing day and I've got some fun stuff planned during the next few days to learn even more.

the First and the Last

So it ended up that yesterday was my last day of work. It is kind of ironic, now that I think about it.

At work, things were exceedingly slow. I worked on Crisis Triage where we started out with three clients. At the end of the night, we had four clients. Since it was so slow, I was talking to my coworkers about my time at Pierce County and we reflected on what had happened over the past few years.

I referred some of them to my blog post about my first day of work. I remember that day and now I'm able to laugh at it.

The most ironic part of last night is that it was very similar to my first day working at Crisis Triage. It was quiet and I got to help one person get some things figured out. It was a great end to a thirty-month stint at Pierce County.

So long guys, it has been fun.

Goodbye to the Circus

Two more days of work, then I am done at Pierce County. It has been both good and bad.

I have loved most of my coworkers. We have had great fun, helped support each other during the good times and bad, and given each other the freedom to improve our skills. We have also stopped clients on the unit from punching us in the head when necessary.

I will miss working with some clients that needed help and were willing to take those steps necessary to improve their lives.

I will not miss those loud and obnoxious clients who had no desire to be there and created havoc for everybody (especially when they were stable). I will not miss the personality behaviors. I will not miss those nights where I was impatiently waiting to take my break so I could head in the back room and breathe just to get away from the noise.

Although the above list contains many "I will not miss" items, it was a very good job and I'm glad I was able to work there. I am glad it is coming to an end and I am fortunate to have another job that starts shortly after my last day at the county.

As for next week . . . only time will tell what will happen. And I've already been assigned my first client . . . although I don't start until next week.

It's Official, Again

As of 2:30PM PST today, I have been offered a position to be an employee for Good Samaritan Behavioral Health.

First Interview of the Season

I went to my interview with Good Sam today. As you may know, I've been volunteering for them since the beginning of the year. I interviewed for a position as a case manager in the css department. It means I would be doing intakes, therapy, being a case manager, dealing with loads of paperwork, and visiting the prison approximately once a week.

The interview was very interesting. It was with five supervisors, yet I didn't feel in the least bit fearful. They asked me questions and I answered them to the best of my ability. I didn't go with the politically correct responses, I simply answered them.

One example they asked is how I felt about the company that is taking over the healthcare for Pierce County. I said, "Honestly, I hate them." I explained they they caused me to lose my job. However I know that they are funding/running everything that is happening in the county and I know some people that are working there. As such, the people are better than the company but unless I leave the county, I have no choice but to interact with them.

In short, the interview was fun.

See, that's one thing about interviews that I never understood. They say you're supposed to be completely professional and show a false front (in a sense). Maybe I've misunderstood, but yes I presented myself as professional, honest, and I showed my personality. I don't see how it should be done any other way.

Now for those of you that will ask, "How did it go?" Honestly, I don't know. I did get a good impression from everybody that did the interviews but who can say at this point? I was the first person to be interviewed and they may forget me as the other wonderful people come in to talk to them about the position. Who knows, but I'll keep you informed.