Need Advice!

[Guest Guest_Melissa]

Hello everyone. I was hired on as an AD 3 wks. ago. I am new to this profession and have had no previous training, etc... (I actually went in to interview for a different position, but was told about the AD position and that a selection had been made for the position I was there to interview for).

 

My problem is this:

My boss who is now the Administrator was the AD for only 3 months. She was the AD prior to me.

 

She told me she wanted someone to come in and take over the position and go with it.. well, I am trying to do that, but it seems that every time I arrange something she either cancels it or changes it according to HER preference. I had some flyers posted for a few upcoming events in March - not everywhere - basically where I was told to put them - and she took them all down the other day.

She's one of those people that believes her way is the right way and the only way and she is trying to do both my job and hers. In my opinion she isn't as sensitive to the residents needs as I am and is basically a rude person.

The residents really seem to like me a lot, and if she would just let me do my job things would run so much more smoothly.

I have found the residents HATE it when I interrupt them during lunch or dinner to tell them about an event, etc... Well, my boss said that's what she "used to do" and it's a good way to get the message out to everyone at the same time. She has told me to go in during their dinner time several times and I don't like doing that. I think it's rude, they hate it and she just doesn't care.

 

She seems to be throwing all these ideas at me that she never got around to (or never wanted) to do. Some of the things she suggests would be degrading to the residents. I don't like the way she talks about some of them, but that's another story. I am just so disappointed and afraid after my 90 days she's going to fire me for "whatever". One of the biggest jobs I was told to do (and have already done) is clean up several storage rooms full of old decorations & junk.

 

I like my job, and the residents like me, but now I feel like I am in a no-win situation and will never be able to do things my way at all. Also, when I interviewed I was told the pay would be $14 hr. My paycheck was $13 hr. which is fine, but she told me she would let me know if it wasn't going to be $14 before I accepted the position. She never said anything. I know she was just hoping I would stay for $13 hr. and chose not to say anything.

 

This lady has talked about everything from how she would have had an abortion if she had known how much trouble kids are to how her church group drinks, pills she takes, cusses all the time and talks bad about residents sometimes - really bad. Sometimes even about the residents family members. She seems to be on a high horse and has mentioned more than once and bragged about all the hrs. she worked during Christmas to decorate the place all by herself. She's about 60, is not married and it seems other than drinking has no other life except working. I was with her the other day and I swear she was either drunk or on something. Her driving was not good and she ran into one of those curb things you park your car behind in the parking lot.

 

Part of me wants to say something to a "higher up", but why would they listen to someone that's only been there 3 weeks and has no AD experience? Maybe I'm not right for the job. I'm so confused (obviously) but I can't lose my job (single parent of teenager) and I can't keep worrying whether or not I will.

This is such craziness. Other coworkers have said the same thing about her "undoing what they do" all the time.

She told me to go knock on the residents doors and tell them about upcoming events, etc... Maybe sometimes, but not for every little thing! It's their residence. It's assisted living not a nursing home.

 

There's so much more but basically I don't know what to do. Look for another job I guess? Something just isn't right. I am the total opposite of my boss. Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying I'm perfect by any means - far from it. We get along ok because I haven't said anything yet. Is there any hope in this kind of situation? I was so excited at first and was getting ideas together, I have events planned through April and am enjoying getting to know the residents. My boss has always been in this industry (not as an AD) and she wanted to hire someone with no experience because she said they could bring about "fresh ideas".

Oh well....so much for that.

 

Thank you for your time. Sorry this was so long. I guess I also just needed to "vent". :cry:

[Guest Tinki]

Hey,

 

That sounds like a tough situation!! What I would suggest is to hang in there, if she really has all those issues they will come and bite her in the @**, sooner or later! Then you will get a new administrator and can start anew!

 

In the meantime get your resume together and be on the look out for another job in Activities. Sounds like you like the field, you just have a bad Admin.

 

Just lay low and get more experience while you are there so if and when she leaves or you find another AD job you will be more knowledgeable about the field!!!

 

 

Good Luck and Stay Strong

Karen

[hcornell 0]

Mellissa,

 

I am a bit worried about you getting a position as AD when you had NO previous experience for two reasons (and this is not your fault, your Admin should know better)

 

1. Activities is not easy Fa La La La La type of work, it takes experince, patience, and good training/education to do our jobs.

 

2. If you work in Long Term Care, you will and SHOULD get a deficiency for the following reason:

 

Federal Code states very clearly about the type of person that may be an Activities Director. I will post it here for you, but if you do not meet these qualifications, AND you work in SNF, you have two options: get a consultant on the records as the overseeing AD, or quit (your boss sounds like a wack-job anyway)

 

Here is the Regulation:

F249

 

(Rev.)

 

§483.15(f)(2) The activities program must be directed by a qualified professional who--

 

(i) Is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an activities professional who--

 

(A) Is licensed or registered, if applicable, by the State in which practicing; and

 

( Is eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist or as an activities professional by a recognized accrediting body on or after October 1, 1990; or

 

(ii) Has 2 years of experience in a social or recreational program within the last 5 years, 1 of which was full-time in a patient activities program in a health care setting; or

 

(iii) Is a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; or

 

(iv) Has completed a training course approved by the State.

 

 

[Guest Guest_Melissa]

RE: Regulations....

We are not a long term care facility. We have caregivers that the residents personally hire if needed. The state doesn't come in and audit, etc... like they do in nursing homes, etc...

I am not required to be certified at our facility.

 

Well, I think I'm going to leave. She contradicts everything she says and is nit-picking. It's ridiculous. I made a mistake. However, I will be contacting the regional manager about the situation so it won't happen to the next person. (If there is a "next" person). Remember - she can do everything and anything.

She wants me to "take over" this position but yet won't keep her nose out of everything! I can't win.

[Guest His Princess]

Melissa,

 

I want to appoligise to you for your administrators actions. She realy needs to put herself in your shoes or remember what it was like or if she was in Activities for only 3 months before she became administrator. That makes me question what kind of a facility you are working for? Where are you located? I want to give you a web site who is going to be offering 20 $500.00 scholarships to people who are interested in becoming Certified Activity Professionals. The web site is www.NCCAP.ORG. It realy is a good profession. If you have never worked in Activities before. I would suggest to you to apply for an Activity Assistant for a while to get some experience. Look in the newspaper in your area for a job as an Activity Assistant. Find out about the company before you accept the position. I would suggest Independant or Assisted Living there is not as much pressure in these two areas as in a Skilled Nursing Facility. There is more of an opportunity to get to know the seniors you are working for and their personal lesiure interest and then to add them to your monthly calendar. To start with, how many seniors are you working with? Find out what their leisure interests are or were before they came to the facility. Then include these into your monthly calendar. Get them involved in what they used to do. How old are you? Good Luck to you.

[Guest Guest]

MAn I would report this person. Document everything that goes on with her everyday. I do agree with some of the other people about if she was a AD for 3 months and then got moved higher then what is your place really thinking. Activities is not an easy job even though people say "Oh anyone can do ACTIVITIES", no they can't you have to have to be creative, people-person, and other things. I'm sure you are all those things but it maybe hard for you to express those things when you have someone behind you shooting down all your ideas. If it was me it would make me think "well am I really doing a good job, is this for me" Someone higher up should be helping you and encouraging you to express yourself. YOu know just hang in there and do your thing and go to get your AD certificate. Once you have that you can work any place and leave. It's sad when people try to say their better then others because of the degree they have.

[Guest Tiff]

It is hard not to feel insecure when you are left out of the "loop". Not very "team player" like of them not to communicate with you...it is also unprofessional. I would talk to her about this and express why you feel it is important to have this group and also why it is important for her to communicate with you as a co-worker.

 

Tiff

[Guest Guest_robin]

sounds like you had my old boss! who thank god has resigned, but we all know better than that, she got the boot! I know exactly what you mean and I am serious about thinking we may have had same boss. do not what to post any names though. sorry about your situation, and if its any consulation, administrators usually last 18 months.

[Guest Spark Plug]

Is this the appropriate forum to talk about your boss in such detail? Let's hope she does not click into this site?!

 

Word of advice - share your concerns, but be a bit more vague in the future.