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update 091908

Neil — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:13:58 +0000

Just trying to get ya up to speed …

Never a dull moment at work. The case management application that I’ve been working on since August goes live next week. We completed the build of the live system this week, and I must say, I’m quite proud at how much we got done in such a short time. This on top of all other requests from lab, respiratory, registration, and administration. And in October, case management gets another system that I’ll be assigned to as well. Surprisingly, I’m taking it all in stride and loving it. Not too many people in my department can say the same thing, and I guess I’m fortunate.

Sophia will be 16 weeks old on Monday (4 months old in October). We believe she has allergies. The recent cool weather has prompted us to have our windows open in the house at night (excluding Sophia’s room). However, she woke up again the other morning with congestion. So we’ve gone back to keeping the windows closed and using the A/C. She seems to be slimming down (her belly isn’t quite there anymore). While awake, she doesn’t like to lay back in your arms anymore; she’ll pull herself in the upright position (and she’ll let you know about it if you try to put her back down). She’s doing well in daycare; teachers say the noise doesn’t bother her as much as it used to when she first started. She’s sleeping all night too, and waking up about the same time each morning (just in time to get ready for school). We haven’t taken very many pictures since Sophia started daycare, but I plan to post what we have this weekend.

And yes, I’m trying a new theme for my blog. It still needs work, but I’ll get to it when I get to it. What I like is the pics page is working and looking better than ever. I still have to come up with new header images.

update 090208

Neil — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:37:36 +0000

So many things going on, it’s difficult to keep up. I spent most of my vacation time caring for Sophia. I enjoyed it tremendously, and I wish I could have another week at home with her. Well, like her mom, I’d rather be at home with her all the time. She started daycare today, her 3 month birthday. The teachers said she was very good considering she was with strangers. With the daycare center right across from my workplace, I can come and go as I please.

I only made it over there once today; a lot going on in the world of IT. Tomorrow, I begin a second round of training with a new case management application that goes live in 3 weeks. Once that’s up and running, I begin another 6 to 8 week implementation with another case management app. On top of that, I’m dealing with charges, lab cleanup, and other clinical system issues. Despite the busy-ness of it all, I’m comfortable and content.

It’s easy to forget things when you’re busy. So I want to take a moment to remember my uncle Teddy, who passed away 2 years ago on September 1. You are still missed, Tito Teddy. Much love to Tita Volet, Bong, and Jeff.

I also want to wish my niece Sarah a Happy Birthday She turned 19 today!

I'm infected

Neil — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 02:37:07 +0000

I found this posted in the lab where I work:

There is a dangerous virus being passed around electronically, orally, and by hand.

This virus is called Weary-Overload-Recreational-Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from any of your colleagues, your boss, or anyone else via any means DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely.

If you should come into contact with WORK, put your jacket on and take two good friends to the nearest grocery store. Purchase the antidote known as Work-Isolating-Neutralizer-Extract (WINE) or Bothersome-Employer-Elimination-Rebooter (BEER). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.

You should forward this warning to 5 friends. If you do not have 5 friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life.

let the stressing "begin"

Neil — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 02:31:02 +0000

What a week! The system implementation at work got off to a fast and furious start; lots of work ahead of us, and consultants everywhere. I did everything I could to complete other projects (including working at home) so I could devote as much to the implementation. I’m thankful that the new business analyst is picking up things quickly, so I was able to be rid of that piece. The clinical analysts have yet to move out of our current office to a temporary workspace, but we cannot wait! Separation from the rest of the crew is probably what we need right now. We hope it takes place this week so we can finally have some privacy, peace and quiet.

making a monkey out of me

Neil — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 01:43:09 +0000

I pray that my role as a business analyst will end very soon now that the position has been filled (the new analyst starts next Tuesday). The last 2 weeks have been horrific to say the least, and even though this was a short work week, it’s one I’d rather soon forget. With conference calls, data collection, and dictionary building (all in preparation for the new clinical system) taking up my already busy schedule, I can no longer cover business functions. I’m cranky, tired, and I’m not getting anything done. Not to mention me and my fellow clinical analysts have to pack up and move next week since our side of the office is being demolished. My good friend summed it up for me by sending me this link (or click on the picture). I must say he did a pretty good job of capturing how I’ve been feeling lately.

temporary workspace

Neil — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:27:13 +0000

my office for the next couple of days while the jackhammer works near my current one

clinical vs. business

Neil — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:40:48 +0000

Work continues to weave its own crazy web. I am one of four clinical analysts in the IT department for a local hospital. We handle most things clinical; everyone has their own departments from within the hospital that they are responsible for. I am responsible for several departments, but my two big ones are lab and radiology. Now, I don’t know the first thing about clinical; I have no medical background, and the terminology rolls off me like water off a duck’s back. When I took this job over a year ago, I was absolutely terrified. But I’ve learned a lot over the last 12 months, and my mentor and fellow analysts have been great in assisting me. In fact, my counterpart (a nurse) and I made a deal – she would help me with all things clinical if I would help her with all things technical.

The hospital is also a business, so there are two business analysts (along with an applications manager) who handle dollars, cents, charges, etc. The senior business analyst retired in mid-October. The junior business analyst, whose position was created at the beginning of the year, has actually been responsible for rebuilding the surgery system (a clinical app; who thought of this one?). She’s been working so closely with surgery that this app is her baby now, and she’s given her resignation so she can be the surgery’s IS analyst. She’s available for backup as a business analyst until the new year. However, she’s never around because she’s always in surgery. So there’s no one for backup.

That leaves the apps manager as the only business analyst available. So, with the IT director’s approval, the apps manager has trained me to be her backup. The other clinical analysts and I are not crazy about this. But I’ve learned you never question the director’s decisions. They tell me it is temporary until the business analyst positions are filled. However, I’ve been told that whoever fills the positions, they will be groomed for the new systems coming next year. Meaning, I’m stuck covering this until next October?? Our new clinical system implementation kicks off next week, and the project kicks into high gear in January. How much time will I be able to devote to the new system if I spend part of my day as a business analyst?

I’ve been covering for 3 weeks now. It’s not a difficult job, but it can get frustrating with all the mistakes we have to fix. I don’t expect perfection, but I think people should be able to do their jobs right so it doesn’t have to be fixed on the back end. My friend asked me if I would apply for the position; my answer is “no”. I think I could handle the job; in fact, there’s not one thing “clinical” about it. But ultimately, I would have to answer to the bigwigs in administration when it comes to numbers. I’ve seen the senior analyst get in a tizzy when she has to stop everything she was doing to give them what they want. And I don’t want to deal with their crap, especially now that the hospital is under a corporate redesign due to issues with our dollars and cents.

My other dilemma is the apps manager. She’s on the verge of a breakdown. She’s having to answer to everyone about everything, trying to fix these accounts over here, trying to come up with numbers over there, and she could lose it any day now. If she quits or retires, I’m screwed. No one knew the business systems like the apps manager and the senior analyst. And with both of them gone, the IT department will be up a creek, and my director will turn to me to build a paddle out of a pencil. Which means I will no longer be a clinical analyst. And I like being a clinical analyst.

So here’s what I feel I must do. I will continue to back up the apps manager and keep her sane by helping her the best I can. The vacant positions have been offered to two applicants, but they declined due to salary. I’ve heard about some new prospects through the grapevine, and I’m crossing my fingers that there will be relief soon.