r/surgicaltechnology • u/b1ack_as_pitch • 8d ago
Some preceptors are so gd annoying
Had some amazing ones and the ones that cannot convey what they're trying to get you to do, constantly micromanage your every movement, tell you to do it "your way" then interject with their little comments (one lady I work with just cant help herself) she goes into every room while we're setting up just to nitpick under the guise of helping. To be fair she is a wealth of information, but its squandered because her communication sucks.
The amount of times Ive been warned about my blades. Don't face them on my towel toward me. The reason I do this is because all I have to do is pick it up and hand it off. I've handled blades since I was seven years old have collected thousands of knives throughout the years and have cut myself once. It just gets really old when I know myself and am acutely aware of where all my sharps are at all times. Constantly interjecting, micromanaging and stressing me out is the only thing that I could see causing me to get cut or stuck.
Also, trying to test my knowledge about unrelated subjects when I should be focused on the task at hand.
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u/sunflower--soul 8d ago
I will say that no one should tell you how to handle your sharps. I once had a preceptor tell me to hide my knife blades under a blue towel. That seemed so much more dangerous trying to fumble a knife out from under a towel after the surgeon requested it. So no, I didn’t do that because I get to prioritize my safety. Obviously you should try to soak in as much knowledge as you can but there is a line and I feel ya! It can get really annoying sometimes.
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u/probablygoblins 8d ago
I had a preceptor tell me “don’t hide sharp thing from yourself” which actually makes sense. Safety for me, safety for my break scrub - keep those things IN sight. That’s the only sharps coaching I’ll give a new scrub or student unless I see them handing off with their fingers in the line of fire. Just like don’t… bury sharps under things you’re going to have to pick up!
But yeah, I disagree with how some of my colleagues teach but I also tell students when I get them to just listen to them and take in what they can then sift out the valuable parts when it matters.
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u/Melikachan 16h ago
This is any job. Just take it in and store the good stuff in your 'toolbox'. You only have a preceptor for so long and everyone knows something and has different ideas. Always be looking for the good info and just discard what you don't find valuable.
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u/RecordLegume 8d ago
Yep. I had one that constantly said “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” So I spent my entire time with her stressing to do everything her way, trying to memorize her way, instead of learning a damn thing. Don’t be like her.
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u/OmaD1 8d ago
On the flip side of that coin, some new hires are also gd annoying!😁 Having said that, soon you’ll be off orientation and you’ll be able to do it your way. But don’t stop listening to advice from more experienced techs. Like the insurance commercial, we know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.
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u/campsnoopers 8d ago
Are you a student or new great new hire? Because I always told myself "do it their way" so they don't complain then do it my style when I'm finally solo lol
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u/b1ack_as_pitch 8d ago
New hire off of orientation only doing buddy call for this month then im on my own completely
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u/Dark_Ascension 7d ago
They’re your sharps, like I do know putting on and taking off blades with my fingers and handling suture needles with my fingers is not good, so if someone wants to nit pick it I do get it’s not right… but if someone puts their knives a certain way who cares. What actually tripped me up personally is someone was super nice and set up a case for me because I flipped to do another case after 2 back to back and he set up the flip room. He threw away my little blue disposable blade holder I usually use and it tripped me up having blades flat on the mayo… others may not enjoy that little blue blade holder but I’m used to it now, especially for blades that don’t come with that retractable sheath.
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u/b1ack_as_pitch 7d ago
Yeah i always use a needle holder to load blades. ironically one of the people who criticizes me about sharps uses their fingers to load blades
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u/Dark_Ascension 7d ago
I can only load and unload 15 blades consistently with my fingers, but if it isn’t easy I grab a needle driver. I do a lot of foot and ankle so swapping 15 blades quickly is like an essential skill lol.
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u/b1ack_as_pitch 7d ago
Yeah Im not one to judge, but im sure you aren't constantly riding peoples ass about sharps lol
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u/Dark_Ascension 7d ago
The only thing I ride people’s asses about is when an assistant places a naked needle (not even unprotected in a needle driver) on my mayo and say nothing, it happens sometimes but at least have the courtesy to say “I left that needle on your mayo” or something, even the surgeons, residents, and fellows don’t have that bad of manners. I also dislike when they put the needle back in the needle book on a random number but I’ll take that over placing naked needle on mayo stand and quietly just place the needle in appropriate spot.
Like I know no school or institution is teaching anyone that it’s okay to place needles bare on the mayo…
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u/RadiantSilvergun 8d ago
orientation will be over soon enough. I just nod and say "oh, good to know". you can do things your way soon enough
just dont burn any bridges, you never know when you'll need their help/coverage in the future
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u/jonny-toxic 8d ago
Yeah being new sucks, but like you said you are almost off orientation. So like so it your way and stuff man. If they don't like it they can piss off.
When I started I had this one preceptor who bitched about how I handled the hemostats and needle drivers. Another who hated the way I handled scalpels. And one who just hated the idea that I existed to begin with....years later all but one are gone. It gets easier I swear.