job$ somebody's gotta do...
job$ somebody's gotta do is a tribute to the late Indianapolis broadcaster, Jim Gerard, and his radio feature, Sounds of the City, heard weekly on WFBM-AM debuting in 1962. The host interviewed people with jobs held by very few people, such as a jackhammer or crane operator, or, language interpreter.
Following a 12 day stay in an ICU unit last August, I came away with a profound admiration and respect for those who serve our medical needs. I am not sure they qualify as angels 24/7, but, during their working hours they fill that role.
There were a minimum of 20 different medical staff assisting me and doing their best to keep me headed in the right direction. RNs, respiratory therapists, a kidney doctor, heart doctor, lung doctor, ICU trained nurses, aides, and, phlebotomists.
I didn't have to be phlebotomized, but, I received several IVs over the 12 day period and multiple labs each day. A lab translates to drawing blood.
What I do is pretty important, Andrea of Labcorp told me (last name unknown). Without labs, a doctor doesn't have a roadmap of what's going on inside your body.
You seem pretty experienced at what you do,
I've been a phlebotomist for 19 years, she revealed. I was trained in New York City and came here six years ago.
You spent at least 20 minutes trying to locate the vein to put that IV in. I appreciate you wanting to make sure the vein is the right one.
It can be very painful if it is not, she said. Then I would have to do it all over again and that's even more hurt.
When you are taking blood for lab work, do you have a lot of jittery people?
Oh, sure, she affirmed. Young and old, it doesn't matter, some people just cringe when they see the needle.
I imagine it is hard to do your job under those circumstances.
Well, I try to calm them down because that's all you can do, she replied, I tell the patient to sit back and collect themselves. Other times, they want to hurry up and get it over with, so, whatever works. It's all a mindset.
Do you go from hospital to hospital or lab to lab.
Some do, she answered. But, I work for Labcorp. Sometimes though they send me to a Labcorp lab if they need help, but, mainly, I am here.
Is there any certain age that is harder to work on than others?
I'd say older people, she thought. The fat under our skin shrinks as we age and it makes our veins look like they are floating. That can make it harder to hit the vein just right.
What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
I'd love to be retired in five years. I am not old enough, but, I might be able to swing it. But, then again, what would I do with myself? Who knows, check back with me in a few years, she laughed.
Do you want to travel or do you have hobbies?
I will definitely travel, she affirmed. I left Jamaica to go to New York and I want to go back to Jamaica for a long visit. We'll do that and do some more traveling as we can.
Andrea, you do a great job. Thank you.
Coming up: more POS; another oddities, observations & ?'s, and; a conversation with a TV repairman.
And, finally. This is the time of year I turn a little nostalgic. School has started for some and others will begin next week. My Encore Performance was a wonderful time in my life and I miss the structure and interaction with students and fellow teachers.
If you are among the working class, enjoy the moment because it doesn't last long.
HUH? What's up with that?
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