Changes in the wind....

To friends I have shared with or if you are from Alberta you are aware, last April, the province eliminated all 12 health boards into just ONE health board - Alberta Health Services Board. Prior to this merge I have been working for both the Calgary Health Region as well as the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (as casual). I knew that my time at Tom Baker Cancer Centre scanning would be coming to a close as those hours would be seen as overtime, just didn't know when. Until you have the facts, you do have the "rumour mill" - well this morning it became more reality - one of our casuals were told that casual hours will be coming to an end by the end of June as the "purse strings tighten" for the province. I am fortunate in one way as I had kept my options open and began working with a doctor and pathologist for a grant they had (data collection). Therefore, it is not associated with the Alberta Health Services - so no conflict. I haven't been told anything official yet for my scanning job, but at least I won't feel blindsighted by it. Being somewhat prepared is always better than zero, right?

Today, was my interview for the coding coordinator position - it was an 1.5 hour interview and then I was able to speak with both my coding director and coding superior - I am grateful that I feel they are approachable in which to discuss matters with. I don't know how much you can prepare yourself for the questions they ask you - but I did the best I could - I tried my best not to talk with my hands - didn't always worked (majority of the time I was able to keep them clasped together). At the end of the interview my director asked if I had any questions, I did but it didn't have to do with the position I was applying for.

For about 20-30 mins after the interview I was able to speak openly with both my director and supervisor. My director did share that I did well in the interview and that I have been doing well in training as well. Positive or negative - it is good to hear how you are doing. Being this was the first time I saw my director since returning in April, it gave me the opportunity to say thank you for allowing me to experience the full reabstracting study, which was 12 weeks this year. In addition, I let her know how fortunate I am to have a director who promotes education or trying something different that might contribute to the dept (reabstracting study). Does seem surreal what I have accomplished thus far in 4 years time. I shared that an opportunity to try something new like the coding coordinator position would be great - but this question has been on my mind for the past week - "How can I be best used in Coding Services for the AHS?" Tomorrow I begin my perceptorship with 2 SAIT students plus re-training a coworker who has been off for awhile. I know that we have a couple of new hires which means they will need to be trained. I have really enjoyed training - I have learned probably just as much as the trainee. It is still a challenge for me depending on the trainees experience and how they previously coded at that facility. It can change how you explain things - learning different teaching styles I guess.

I left the interview/meeting feeling good and knowing I did the best I could in my interview. Also seeing that we are basically on the same page - as she also thought of the upcoming training needs of the departments. In Alberta, it seems our way of thinking of our positions will need to be changing from "encompassing regionally (just Calgary), but rather provincially (all Alberta hospitals) - such as the data quality coordinator position. While I was waiting for my shuttle bus to the parking lot, I had called my mom to tell her how it went. It was during that conversation, I felt that if I did not become the coding coordinator or even the data quality coordinator - I would not be sad - I am happy with what I can bring to my Coding team as a coding specialist as well as a trainer. Actually the more I have been thinking about it, I think my decision is leaning towards staying where I am - coding specialist and trainer. As things become clearer provincially, I am sure in the future, new opportunities will arise for me to try again. At least I am getting practice about the interview process.