CSPD lead tech

[Guest]

Hi,
I've worked in the CSPD department of our 400 bed hospital for 27 years, been certified for 11 and recently given the new position created as a lead tech. I report to a Supervisor and a Manager over Materials handleing and distribution. I was told the average wage for a lead Tech was 14.47, just .99 cents more than a CSR Tech. I rotate in all areas of our department, Sterile prep,decontam,case cart set up,sterilization,instrument set up,equipment exchange,and I am also responsible for ordering non-stock supplies, instruments, instrument repairs,sterilization records,all revisions to pick lists and policy and procedures, and schedule educational inservices. I was recently told I was being taken off the floor to spend more time in the office on paper work and to work closer with the supervisor and manager. I feel this is not part of a lead tech's responsibilities, sounds more like management to me, "I am a union employee". When asking my manager exactly what my responsibilities are going to be, I was not given a clear answer, the position is still new to our department. And I feel the .99 cent increase is a joke. Can any lead techs share with me their roles and if I may ask, hourly rate? I would greatly appreciate it as I feel like the joke is on me!

Thank you,
Shelly

[Guest]

In response to your question; in most of the places that I have been employed a lead tech is basically another name for tech 3 or a supervisor. That is the reason for the increase in responsibility. Your years of experience, I assume and you, as a responsible, trusted and dedicated employee, was the reason this position was given to you. I know the so called "pay increase" is not much for all the added work that is now given to you, but in my opinion, the satisfaction that management can rely upon you to get the job done and do it well should be somewhat gratifiying to say the least. I have, as well as so many others in your position, have felt the way you do: overworked and underpaid, but just realize that trying to keep a positive attitude about the situation will ultimately be rewarded in the future.

[Guest]

I have been in the lead tech role for about a year now and the increase was $1.00 per hour as well. Which put me about $18 per hr.

[dongordon]

Many CS departments are starting to set up career ladder programs to provide those with certification and CS experience an increase in salary. The lead tech position is one of the positions that is being used both to justify an increase in salary (along with increased responsibility) and train someone to eventually take over supervisory responsibilities. In the case described (a $1/hour increase does not seem like much, but it does increase the annual salary by over $1800/year. This experience as a lead tech could also lead to a future managerial title in the present hospital or another hospital.

Career ladder programs will "raise the bar" (and salaries) in our profession and create goals for advancement.

It is difficult to compare salaries since salaries are usually linked to "cost of living" in different regions. Even within states, this varies. For example, a Lead Tech position in NYC might pay as much as $39,000/year, while in upstate New York, the salary might be as low as $30,000/year.

The comment about keeping a "positive attitude" from the earlier post is correct. Eventually the rewards will come.

Don

[Guest]

I started as a CS Tech 18 years ago and took a promotion as Supervisor after 10 years for $2.00 per hr more. This position was at a sister hospital on the other side of town. After working as a Supervisor for a year and a half the Supervisor at my previous site retired and I was then given the responsibility of running the two facilities with no increase in pay since it was the same position and they paid for travel time. Since I chose this as my career and positions in this field do not open often I decided to make the best of the situation and give my all. After running both facilities for 2.5 years it did become overwhelming and they returned me to one facility and promoted me to a Manager.

My lead techs are my right arm and they have all the responsibilies you commented that you have. They only do more paperwork when I am off or on medical leave for some reason. Your years of experiance put you higher on the scale to begin with but it also makes you a valuable asset to your department. Your superiors obviously noticed this and are trying to groom you for the future. If this is the path you want to continue to follow then I suggest you gain all the information you can. If this is not what you want your future to bring then step down and open an exciting path for others.

Good Luck with your decision