A Locum’s ScrapBook: Hospital 47
“Some programs were completely solo, others very very fast and dynamic. this one is in between those extremes, and looks like a very friendly and pleasant environment.”
On Deck-
Editor’s Note:
To view the entire “Locum’s ScrapBook” series- click here
My life is Family First and then Perfusion. I switched from staff perfusionist to becoming a Locum’s traveler to make sure my kids and family would have a solid place to call home. I travel because it puts me in charge of my life, it is challenging, and I enjoy learning new techniques, other ways of doing things, as well as getting exposure to alternate approaches and paradigms.
So I took my show on the road. As such, every once in awhile I will be dropping a few notes and pictures of places visited, and observations made. In a sense, the beginning of a scrap book on Open Heart Surgery in America (and other places if possible).”
Enjoy 🙂
Frank
Hospital 47
Arrival to Parking Garage- 7:30 AM
Well, here it is, 10 hospitals later in the course of 16 months. Those 10 clinical sites were spread out over 6 states (South and Midwest). I have arrived to site 47, albeit, I was at this hospital way back in the day (1999) when I did a brief locum’s stint in the interim between full time positions.
Waiting to meet a perfusionist- with no clue what she looks like…
I look at where I started, and compare myself now, and some things have remained the same, others have evolved with time and experience.
A really nice view…
Some programs were completely solo, others very very fast and dynamic. this one is in between those extremes, and looks like a very friendly and pleasant environment.
A lot of Hotels…
This is the Candlewood Suites in Fitchburg. Aron is the manager- very professional guy, Maura is the young lady that checked me in- extremely kind and engaging, and there is this Mexican HS student (Yarely), that is totally bilingual and has a knack for getting me to try to speak more Spanish.
These guys have given me about 30 new room keys lol- THANKS!
These are the people that make living alone in a hotel- a little more bearable.
If you haven’t tried Candlewood Suites for long term assignments- I have done so in numerous states- and they are always on top of their game.
And of Course I have Evolved… (my swag bag has) 🙂
This is more of a 511 Tactical bag (Gander Mtn) Fully modifiable
Contents: from top left to right:
- OSHA glasses
- Phillips and Slot screwdrivers
- Compact adjustable wrench
- Tape measure (ECC modifications and changes)
- S Hook- for supporting lines, or IV bags
- The BADGE
- Very Cool flexible cord with memory (more on this below)
- Mini flashlight (Lowes)
- Hexhead and Alyn head wrenches
- Sticky notes (Duh…)
- Sharpie (Syringe labeling etc-)
- Scissors with badge holder strap- (The strap is cool on the side of your scrubs)
I got this malleable band at Lowes. It is excellent because it is strong and the memory is superb. I attached a Quadrox Oxygenator to the post of an LVAD/ECMO cart because we didn’t have the holder.
Anyway, if you travel, you probably have something like this- it comes in handy especially for solo accounts.
Have an excellent Labor Day weekend 🙂
Frank
