VA hosp/military hosp employees & physical reqs everywhere

[E Wimett]

Hi-I am hoping to re-connect to a "Medical Supply Technician" that I believe I got in touch with through this site, and/or other persons working this job at these facilities. If anyone else has info on my concerns, I welcome the input. I am esp wondering about the physical requirements of the job. The federal postings lately have said things like must be able to lift 50 lbs from floor to chest, frequent lifting of trays up to 25 lbs, pushing carts up to 450 lbs.......1st, is this normal everywhere and is it really often, or are they trying to scare away people who would look for easy injury claims, or who would never want to do those tasks? Also, why ever wouldn't they use a lift for 25-50 lb trays? I have certified as a "Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician" through CBSPD, by taking a lecture course sponsored by an Atlanta GA hospital. I have not actually worked in CSP, though I have other medical training. I was starting to give up the idea of a federal CSP job (I have 10 years other fed service) and start the pre-requisites to attended an LPN program, but just today it looks like I may have landed a 1 yr temp appt with a VA in CSP (!) - job I tried for last yr but didn't get. I have applied--actually begged at local hospitals to give me a chance to get experience, even at min wage, to no avail.

[sonny1388]

Actually, here in Laramie, we do a LOT of lifting, mostly in the 15-30 lb range, but occasionally we do have some loaner trays come in that are 50+. The carts on pretty good wheels, so 450lbs isn't that big of a deal (and happens quite frequently). I couldn't imagine trying to use a lift or some other device to do most of this lifting, as it just wouldn't be time efficient. We work in such a fast placed area that it just wouldn't be plausable. On the other hand, most of the lifting and carrying is done for short distances....say 30ft or less. I would say that only 20% of our trays are heavier than 10lbs, but we use the big ones on a pretty frequent basis. The ones for the total joints are the heaviest, approx 20lbs a piece and they use 4-8 pans for each case. We are a smaller hospital, and only do total joints about 5 cases a week, but you are still looking at at least 20 heavy pans a week that way. If you are in "normal" health, I wouldn't worry too much about it, after a while it doesn't seem so heavy. If you have a bad back, though, this is probably not a good position for you (we have had 2 techs have to move on due to this in the last 3yrs).

[E Wimett]

Thanks Sonny for your reply. I think I could get used to the 20 lbs. I have a lot of cats and carry 20-28 lb bucket of litter and food up and down stairs. 6 mths ago I was doing really well at the gym...then stopped arrgh! I have had some back trouble-I think I would wear a strechable brace under my clothing for protection. Don't you and your co-workers help ea other w/ the 50lb trays? Seems like a sensible safety precaution to me. How old is the oldest person in your dept? M or F? Do you all rotate the various jobs to prevent repetitive stress injuries? So since u work in that setting-hosp-if u had a chance to go to school for LPN would you do it? Or are you on track for a supervisory position in CSP? I am trying to think about when I get in my 60's.....work that I can still do until say 66 or 68, then part time work. I'd like to be one of those old broads that do weight lifting....but I have a hard time sticking w/ a routine.

[sonny1388]

The oldest person we have on staff is a F in her mid 40's (I have never asked her exact age). We also have a male who is 36ish, and two younger F, 27 and 23. I think a brace under your clothes would be a great idea and could help considerably. I agree with you, assisted lifting of the bigger trays would probably be sensible, but to be honest, we don't use it like we should. Usually it is either Dave or I moving them around, and we are probably just too macho to ask for help. We do rotate our jobs around between Decon, wrapping, sterilizing and such as it keeps everybody on their toes and current with all aspects of C.S.
I personally would probably not try to go to school to become an LPN, partially because I am in a Supervisory role currently, but it is more a matter of my attitude towards that job (I was in nursing school for two years and decided that I REALLY didn't like it). I think that it could be a great idea for somebody else who would enjoy that line. It still amazes me how much I learned from my job as a c.s. tech that helped me in nursing school, and the other way around. I feel like I have a leg up on the other techs because I don't only know instrumentation, but I know what they are using the instruments for and can understand cases better from what I have learned. In fact, I think that is a major part of how I got into the position I am in now.
IMHO, either path you choose, LPN or C.S., you are likely to be happy and working for as long as you want, as long as you protect your back! :D Lift with your legs, right? ;)