The Job.

I just celebrated my three month anniversary with my new job.  I'm to the point that I don't come downstairs in tears any more at the end of my work day ;-)  It's actually getting better.  I didn't think I'd ever be able to say that!  I'm getting more comfortable with the tests that I am trying to authorize and the criteria for these tests.  I'm learning about brains and lung nodules and sinuses and neuromas and ankles and knees and wrists and gallbladders and ligaments and rotator cuffs and so on and so on and so on.....I'm getting used to people not always being so nice on the other end of the line.  When that happens, I try to be just that much nicer to them :-)  I've gotten over being called a MORON by one physician shortly after I started taking calls by myself.  That didn't sit well with me, I was so upset I couldn't say a word and ended up crying while I was on the phone with the caller...LOL.  Thanks, VKS.  Not.

I'm supposed to do at least 70 cases/calls per day.  I'm hanging around 65 most days. I've had a few days that I've done 73-75, but not regularly.  Once I get to 70 per day on a regular basis, they will move me from an hourly pay to a per case rate.  Word on the street is that some of the Clinical Reviewers do up to 80-90 cases/calls per day.  I can't imagine me ever being able to do that many!  Obviously, the more calls one can take, the more money one can make.  I'm perfectly fine with not making more money...LOL!

I hate, hate, hate, HATE, working full time (did I make my point?!?!?!)  I so totally miss having off my Thursdays!!  And it's even worse being a new employee and not having much/any PTO accrued!  I don't have any time off until the end of November. Yuck.

I do miss not having anyone to talk to during the day, although, it's probably better, cuz if I had someone to talk to, I don't think I'd be able to 'make productivity' as they call it.  I think once it gets cold outside, or it snows, or we have ice, I'll be MUCH happier with the job ;-)  If you know what I mean.....

So, overall, the job is OK, it's not my dream job,  I totally miss my nephrology patients and my transplant patients.  I still have dreams about the practice and the physicians and think about it more often than I prefer.  I still cry.  I try not to, but it happens.  I've had all the physicians from the practice, except for TWO of them (anyone care to guess which two??), ask about me and say they are sorry for what was done to me.

And now, if only Samson could talk...... ;-)