Adjustments and Thoughts

A few changes going on at work. We have had an adjustment in the management structure which means my direct line manager is switching with another manager. I am not overly distressed by this as although I got on well with my manager, I also have a lot of respect for the person who is taking over. She’s very experienced and I have a lot of faith in her ability and knowledge base which is enormously comforting.

A few people have left and a few new people have joined. We are also gearing up for an office move which I can’t say I’m particularly looking forward to. All leave has been cancelled for the week of the move but I haven’t exactly endeared myself by co-ordinating (I add through absolutely no fault of my own!) to be away for a course for the days involved.

I can’t say that circumstance has disappointed me and I was asked to change the course but unfortunately, it only runs every year and I’d been waiting a while for it in any case so that wasn’t possible.

Other than that the general busy nature of the office hasn’t yet subsided. I don’t suppose it will though. Still ever I retain that triumph of hope over experience!

I’ll be starting the Practice Education Course soon which will involve having a student on-site for a placement (I’m not sure the length of the placement exactly nor of the year that the student will be studying in – said student will be allocated directly to me by the university!). I’m trying to read up on learning styles and theoretical bases in advance so that I can prepare myself.

I expect to be attempting to review some of the books I’ve come across over the next few weeks. I want to prepare myself as best possible to ensure that the learning experience for the student can fulsome. My fear at this point relates to my workload because I know it will be hard to work around or reduce much more due to the unpredictable nature of the AMHP work and I expect it will mean a lot of additional work in the evenings/weekends. I think the placement will be interesting for any student coming though – at least, I hope so. I’d have loved to have a placement in my team (!) but I’m also lucky to have found a job which completely fits into my interest of working with older adults and working in mental health.

The positive aspects of my work and my position though, shine out for me too and I appreciate that I am fortunate to have found myself in this position.

Generally, I’m lucky to work in a good team in a good Trust. Policies and procedures don’t always work the way I think they should but the management team are receptive at least to discussion and there is a general desire to provide a good and thorough service to patients.

I know I am feeling more and more confident in my job. Obviously, this happens with time and I have been qualified now for nearly 10 years so it’s right and proper that I should but I do dwell on decisions excessively. I have a lot more confidence now than I did but try never to assume an absolute position of ‘rightness’ as that is one of the most dangerous approaches to take.

I am given the opportunity to grow and develop with the work and although time is precious, I have never been denied training opportunities.

I love working in a multi-disciplinary team and think it generally promotes much better practice when we sit alongside nurses and OTs and psychologists and doctors and grow to know the ways and means of our different training and practices and try and combine thoughts, experiences and strengths together to promote the best outcomes. Coming from a purely social work team into my current job, it is much more obvious to see the differences in the working practices and often we (as social workers) can be dismissive about ‘medical models’ and the training emphasis in ‘other’ disciplines but some of the most progressive practitioners I’ve worked alongside are nurses and it is all too easy to adopt bunker mentalities when you are physically separated into different offices.

We have a lot to learn from each other.

I hope I’m able to pass on the positives without any of the world-weariness of long-standing or jaded practitioners. There is a good job to be done.