[inkblot]

My guess is that I have a 0 to 1 chance out of 10 of actually going to work at this job. They made the offer which I accepted and went for the physical. Things were going fine until the doctor started asking me about where I live, etc., and it came out that I am homeless. I could tell by the look on her face that the job offer ended there. She was such an opinionated ******! There is *NO* reason anyone should be homeless, and she seems to think that because I am homeless that I am a drug addict!!!! She made several comments asking about me using illicet drugs. She seemed to think that I probably didn't even need to do the drug test--I got an obvious impression that she assumed I'd fail it. At that I was ready to get up and leave and tell her that I didn't want a job working someplace like that. I am so freaking pissed and upset about this today! It is so darn FRUSTRATING to be subject to discrimination and stigma!!! I do care about having money to pay bills and afford things, but I so don't care if I ever work again. I AM TIRED OF THIS CRAP!

[gardenergirl]

Oh dear. What a horrible experience. I'm so sorry for her insensitivity. How connected is she to the job? Maybe it was just her bad behavior and not representative of the job?

(((((inkie))))

gg

[dexter]

Is there someone above her that you can go to? That is a HORRIBLE attitude, and if it were me, I would want to opportunity to help someone out of the spot of being homeless by offering them the job... rather than perpetuating it. Of course I might be concerned about practical matters but I would not have an attitude... and thinking about it right now, I don't think I would ever assume that it had any connection with drug use! Heaven forbid this lady ever gets an illness that prevents her from working, and she will realize how easy it is to loose the things you've worked for, even without the "benefit" of using drugs.

Jeez, this angers me.

[inkblot]

I don't have a job unless the ****** approves it.

[inkblot]

It angers me to the point of tears.

[gardenergirl]

It would anger me that much, too. I don't know what else to say. If you don't end up getting the job, can you at least complain to someone or even to her about her inappropriate behavior?

gg

[inkblot]

I picked up her business card, which has her email address on it. It would be the wrong thing to do and would probably only hurt my chances even more for getting the job if I emailed her about it. She was very stubborn about her ideas. I'm not sure I could change her that, even if I complained to someone else. I might email my potential boss, though, to update him and let him know that I had the physical but also mention the problem with the doctor. My weekend is shot now. I will have my kids this weekend, but I my mood is horrible right now. I'm not scheduled to see my T until the end of the month because he will be on vacation for two weeks. Totally--freakin--sucks.

[inkblot]

Can you imagine a doctor(?!) actually saying the reason that I am divorced is because it was all my fault?! By the way, she said that AFTER telling her that he abused and raped me! And he makes $70k per year. So it's all my fault, you know.

[quality_worms]

Sometimes I want to be a doctor just so that there will be one in the world who isn't a jerk. It makes me angry that people like that have so much power over other people's lives. I hope the potential boss has more of a clue.

[jennie]

inkblot . . . wait a minute here . . . you were given the job offer . . . did you complete the physical? seems like your complaint, so far, is with the clinic that was doing your physical. was it at a military treatment facility?

i suggest you go to the Patient Advocacy department of the clinic and make a complaint against the provider(s) who were very disrespectful, discriminatory, and not providing the quality of care you deserve.

if you did not complete your physical, there is a problem. you'll need to visit the Human Resources department of government agency and explain why you were unable to complete your physical and request another appointment (hopefully with a different provider).

this is a civil rights issues and equal employment opportunity issue. if you are qualified for the job but don't get hired because of your residency status, you need to go to the EEOC and file a complaint. heck, since you have mental health issues, you could also complain with the ADA. and then last thing, you could make a complaint with JCAHO against the clinic.

please let me know if this was a military clinic . . . i know much about the admin procedures.

[inkblot]

It is a military clinic. I completed the physical, but she is leading towards denying the job for psych status. She saw my scars from cuts, but she had already made her determination prior to the actual exam. Seeing the scars and with her "having never seen anyting like that before" only reinforced her thoughts. How am I supposed to decrease my stress without getting a more stable environment which I can only obtain if I get the dang job?!

[(JD)]

I wonder how you know she is "leading towards denying the job" ??? I need a mind reader on my team! (((inky))))

[inkblot]

I know because she said so!

[misty]

I have to agree with jennie. slow down a bit. a lot of what you say sounds like you assuming what they figure. Yes you may have them pegged right but wait for the verdict first (so to speak). There are other steps on the ladder to deal with this after you find out if they except you or not. If you have not taken the physical and gave up of course they will not.

[inkblot]

Most of what I say is based on actual words spoken by the doctor, and not just assumptions.

[jennie]

inkblot . . . ((((((((huggs)))))))) . . . try not to take the doc's remarks to heart . . . the doc is evaluating you and probably thinking "is this person able to work in the pharmacy?" but this doc is not a psychiatrist and probably not credentialed to make this type of determination about your mental status.

so . . . the question is . . . how bad do you want this job? would you be willing to talk to the (1) Patient Advocacy department (Navy clinics are required to have reps) and disclose your personal information and psychiatric issues and request a referral to psych to evaluate your ability to perform the job and (2) Human Resources

Navy Medicine has a program set up (through the credentials department) to monitor providers who are on psychiatric medications. so i know that the Navy does not discriminate on hiring personnel who have psychiatric issues. if you've applied to work in the pharmacy dispensing meds to patients, then you could talk to Patient Advocacy and Human Resources and state you'd be willing to be on that program if hired.

if you applied for a job where you're not directly involved with working with patients, dispensing meds . . . then why the heck is the doc doing your physical making such remarks to you?

[inkblot]

I would working the inpatient pharmacy making IV's and not working directly with the patients dispensing. The Navy may not discriminate, but this doctor *does*. She said that she will NOT give me the job because of my mental issues. That is where it stands right now. My only hope, according to her, is my T. She said for him to write a report on my diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Even with that, there is little chance.

[(JD)]

maybe you aren't the "right" political grouping? they do have quotas.. depending upon who is in office (dem or rep) tough to think, but true. Usually you ask, what would you need me to be, and when they tell you, you write that down. sigh.

I'm sorry Inky. If you send an email (and if she has it on her card, then she should expect them!) say all nice things, like you will have to when you get the job. Tell her how much you appreciate her time, how you noticed how thorough she was etc etc... you might explain your scars.. by the truth, that being homeless is a terrible toll on you, and you do that to try and cope and have discussed it with your T and are sure that once you have employment, you won't need to .. or something like that. Do you think that would work?

[SS8282]

I would make a complaint - human rights, discrimination issue. It's the same as disabilities. Not being hired just because someone is disabled (even though the person can do the job) is a big no-no. (((((((((((((inky))))))))))))

[(JD)]

<wondering if ww could help with info here?

[jennie]

Navy pharmacies are so short-handed that they do rotate their techs . . . you may at some time be assisting in the dispensing of meds to patients.

The doc is not qualified to make a judgment on your mental status. Hopefully, you get a psychiatrist to document your mental status, and that is the document you provide the doc doing the physical. The doc doing the physical cannot override what a psychiatrist recommends but could override what a psychologist or counselor recommends. That paperwork must state that your psychiatric issues are stable at this time and you are no longer cutting. (For reasons of safety, persons actively cutting should not be allowed in patient care.)

[(JD)]

I gotta stop doing that! I was wondering if ww could help with info here too?

[SleepsWithButterFlies]

Inkblot I just read this..I don't know about anything else but its one of the saddest posts I think I may have ever seen and it makes me mad..How the hell are the homeless suppose to not be homeless if they get messed over my the system because they ARE homeless..I am so sad and sorry

[inkblot]

First thing when I left that physical I called and left a voice mail for my T that the doctor wanted to talk to him and get a written letter from him about me. I also mentioned in the message what a ****** she was! and why. I said that I'd stop by the office with a form for him (which I later noticed the doctor filled out wrong). I called a few hours later and said that I would wait until this next week or at my next appointment (3 weeks away) to give it to him. I figured there was no urgency since I was so upset about what happened. I later got a call from my T saying that he'd gotten a message to call this other doctor already, and he wanted to make sure it was okay with me. I told him, ya, go for it--it really doesn't matter, I don't care. And I don't. I don't care if I get this job now after dealing with her. My T is probably very torn in how and what to tell her because whether I get the job or not depends on her reaction to what he says. Still, he knows that I don't freakin' care anymore. He (and I) probably don't really know which way to go on this. I wish life could be easier. I think my T might have rescheduled an appointment with someone this Monday night in order to see me again before he goes on vacation, and so he can work on this new Navy issue. I didn't ask him, but it's funny how he suddenly got a cancellation and the way he presented it. He is sweet. I called back right after that to tell him something that I'd forgotten about and was planning to "surprise" him with at the next appointment: I made an appointment earlier the past week to see a new pdoc on November 14 to get some meds. I am familiar with this pdoc from working in pharmacies, so I know that he is popular and I have talked to him on the phone for prescription authorizations. I have also met him from filling his prescriptions and selling them to him. He has a very nice personality. I am pretty sure that he and I will get along well and not like the last pdoc. The one thing about this doc being so good at what he does that shows is his price--he is expensive and since I don't have insurance, its all on me. The first session is $250. After that I think it's $125, but I can't remember for sure. I am excited and scared. I can't wait to really meet him at his office, though. I imagine that he might recognize me from filling his prescriptions at the pharmacy. Wonder if he'll notice? Or say anyting? Can't wait for my T on Monday. What happend with that doctor at the physical yesterday still bothers me. So do other things like my ex.

[wi_fighter]

I know this isn't going to sound supportive, but I see a theme in your posts, Inky. Everyone is else is to blame for your problems.

Maybe it's time to accept the help from your T for real, and see why you can't or won't admit that you play a role in how your life is going.