AIBU to have reprimanded a colleague?

[DentyNurse]

I have worked as a receptionist at a dental practice for a few years, and I also do some nursing, when our dental nurse is off, even though I'm not qualified.

Unfortunately, our nurse doesn't keep on top of processing the instruments, she lets them really build up, and then hides them away. She doesn't bother taking out the clinical waste bags, just lets them pile up.

I'm only given short notice to nurse and I hate it, because I'll start the shift and there will be hardly any instruments prepped.

I have raised this issue twice in staff meetings, and each time the dentist has asked the nurse to ensure she stays on top of her job. But nothing has changed.

Yesterday, I had to nurse last minute. I went to set up the surgery, and there were virtually no instruments ready. Everything had been just left from Friday night. The autoclave was full of instruments that needed bagging, the sonic bath was of instruments waiting to go in the autoclave. I didn't know where to start

The nurse came back, while I was still sorting the instruments. I was really annoyed, so I indicated the state of the instruments and said 'This is absolutely unacceptable.' She replied it was because we'd over-run on Friday. I said that eventhough we'd over run, she obviously had just let everything pile up, anyway. I pointed out, that although I'm not a nurse, I keep on top of the instruments all the time (and I do). She told me that I couldn't speak to her like that (I hadn't raised my voice, or anything, just been quiet but very direct and firm), and stormed out of the room.

She went into the surgery, and started shouting at the dentist, saying 'She wouldn't be f* spoken to like that' as she was slamming cupboard doors etc. Eventhough the surgery door was closed the rest of the staff, and waiting patients could clearly hear her

She didn't speak to me for the rest of the afternoon, eventhough I was perfectly civil to her. And, last night she texted another colleague to say she wouldn't ever work with me again.

I don't know what to do. I emailed the dentist last night, explaining what happened, he hasn't replied yet. The nurse is only a teenager, whereas I'm pushing 50 and just don't know how to deal with someone who acts to unprofessionally, I've never had it before.

Should I just have kept quiet, and said nothing

No matter how shit she does her job it isn't your place to 'reprimand' people who you are not the boss of. You may not like how somebody else does their job but unless you are in charge of them your raise any concerns through the proper channels and it is for those with the proper authority to take action (or not).

I suspect if this was a teenage receptionist 'reprimanding' a 50 year old dental nurse nobody would be on the side of the receptionist.

YADNBU

you seem to be getting a lot of flak on here - you were pissed off, direct and honest with the lazy cah - who had been told to keep on top of the instruments before...dentist sounds like a spineless shit who can't be arsed to reprimand her properly himself.

At least you told her to her face not behind her back, texting all and sundry.
If she was late or whatever the circs she should have thanked you and admitted she was at fault not be effin and jeffin in front of all and sundry cos she was put out at being found out.

You need to watch your back now though - if sacked she will get her testimonial then blow the whistle, or if threatened with the sack may threaten to do that anyway or her or you stand-off.

Either apply to train for dental nursing or refuse to help out even if it is putting instruments in the autoclave - you are putting yourself at risk and are being treated like shite in the process.

YANBU for bringing up the state of the instruments, we're trained (NHS Dept) that it doesn't matter where you are in the pecking order you should bring up hazards with the person responsible. What's the point in leaving something dangerous while you toddle off to find their line manager and wait for them to find their nuts to bring it up?

Her kicking off/refusing to either explain or address your concerns is the point you go to her line manager and ask for assistance in raising whatever your version of an incidence form is. She kicked off because she knows it's unacceptable.

YABU covering a clinical role, untrained, undocumented and without any legal protection whatsoever - clinical/administrative cannot cross cover unless that iss your specific role. You're responsible as an individual for knowing your own limitations, you wouldn't have a leg to stand on if anything went wrong. They can either train you up or they can ditch Miss Attitude (they should do anyway - she sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen).

any update ?

TBH you should be refusing to nurse.

It shouldn't be any concern of yours how the instruments/autoclave/sonic bath are on a monday morning!

If you have to step to cover her job at the last minute then it is your business. Dirty cow. I hope its not the practice I go to.

She sounds like a crap Dental nurse, if I was left with her mess to clean up I'd have a go at her too.
I used to get left with loads of instruments to clean and put through the autoclave and would stay late to get them all done (medical office not dental) Not much point opening up on a Monday with no clean instruments, our Doctors used to get really stroppy when stuff was still cleaning and clinic had already started. I only left it all one time and clocked in early to get it finished before the start of Clinic.

YANBU. Nothing had changed and you said so to her face. I, too, am perplexed why is has been allowed to continue. Surely a health and safety matter and not something that can be ignored like this?

I do not work in the profession but found this information via the GDC.

From 31.7.08 you must be on a Dental Nursing Course to undertake clinical work assisting with treatment in a dental surgery. if you are not on a Dental Nursing Course or registered onto the next available local Dental Nursing Course, the GDC state that you cannot work within a dental surgery. Additionally, you may only call yourself a dental nurse if you are qualified/registered with the GDC. All unqualified persons are called trainee dental nurses but must be employed and enrolled or waiting to start on a recognised programme that will lead to GDC registration;

OP, you do not seem to fit this criteria and for your own protection you must not undertake the nursingwork. Remember too dental nurses must have private indemnity insurance - this is obtained through membership of their professional body. Trainees obtain professional indemnity through their employer. But you not a trainee and you are not qualified so you have neither.

Therefore it follows that you cannot reprimand your colleague as you are not nursing staff and so have no authority to do so.

It also follows that your employer is leaving themselves very wide open to a possible intervention by the GDC as they are completely failing to comply with the standards/ regulations by using an unqualified member of staff in a clinical role.