05-11-2022 CSFA

I was hired under a “local contract” for OB call only, regular shift in main OR and heavy in the OB service line. During my interview I asked what the call schedule was like and they said they were having two meetings about it because they were not sure. I went through AYA, apparently that is the travel company that the hospital goes through. This was my first assignment with AYA healthcare and I was very disappointed. My recruiter never presented me with the actual offer. I only received the contract which had the contract dates, basic schedule, my regular hours and my base rate along with my callback rate. The amount of call was never discussed in my interview or in my contract. On my first day, I was told that I was hired for 14+ call days for OB because they were short people in the OB department to take call for their C-sections. I never signed my contract for 14+ days, however the facility showed me the offer that was made to my recruiter where it had 14+ days. Neither contract from the healthcare facility’s side or my side had the amount of call days on there. The OB department expected me to take 14+ call days a month. I was in a battle simceDay one with my travel company and the facility to lessen my call days because I was not getting a housing stipend. I live in Prescott Valley which clocked at 46 miles in my car so I was under the 50 mile mark to be considered for a housing stipend. All of the hotels in the area are over $100 a night so I could not afford to stay in a hotel every time I was on call, so I was offered the call room at the hospital which is not ideal for all of those call days they needed me to take. The whole experience was a nightmare from both the OB department and their lack of organization with this offer and my contract. I was told that they created the position for me and learning along the way. After five weeks into the contract I was made aware that the hospital was not supposed to house travelers in their call room so this past week I have spent over $600 in hotel rooms so I can take the call that was expected. Every other weekend Friday night Saturday night and Sunday night and an additional weeknight. In my opinion, that is considered a travel contract that deserves some type of housing reimbursement. The hospital would not give me any stipend for housing and my travel company and my recruiter would not either. I was then told from my recruiter that they would give me a $2000 bonus and reduce my call. They reduced my call to 12 days a month, and I never received a bonus. This was two days less than what I was expected to take-not a big difference. I also could never get in touch with my recruiter and it took forever to find someone above him to speak to about the matter. I finally had to cancel my contract which I have never done before and I feel terrible about it. The main OR Was wonderful including the docs, and the coworkers. I was told My contract did not fall under them, my job was technically under the OB department. I tried to stick it out for six weeks and I could not do it any longer. They scheduled me three weekends in a row Friday night through Monday morning, with one week night each week. There was no way this was affordable, it actually cost me to stay out here. Also, since the call was for C-sections only I only got called in one time for all of the amount a call I had taken and all the time I had to stay out here away from my family. My suggestion is to make sure there is a housing stipend included if you take this job and negotiate very well and make sure everything is included in your contract before you sign it. I would not suggest taking a job under the OB department, but the main OR like I said was wonderful including the charge nurses, surgeons, and employees. It actually was one of the best ORs I have ever had the pleasure of working in. Everybody was experienced and they really worked very well together. I was very upset that I had to cancel the contract but I could not afford to work out here.

Alicia, First Assist Cottonwood