Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Leah Hart (Nurse Practitioner/Counseling) in The Arrival of Leah Hart

Posted by Lieutenant Kreed (Chief Medical Officer) in The Arrival of Leah Hart

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Leah Hart (Nurse Practitioner/Counseling) in The Arrival of Leah Hart
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Leah nodded slowly. “I spent my two weeks going over everything and… it’s a good crew. A variety of experiences and skills, different personalities. Lots of ways people can challenge each other to be excellent at what they do, even if that might sometimes cause conflicts. But obvious we have our red flags and the places that need our attention. Kudos on getting so many people to get their physicals done, by the way. I highly approve of your methods,” she said with a grin.

~Leah Hart, NP

“Thank you. It has been a challenge, that is certain.” He paused and then said “Do you wish to discuss the Executive Officer now, or after we discuss how the department will work?”

Kreed, CMO

“After,” she replied flatly without hesitation. “I assume I’m going to be doing more than chasing stubborn patients for their therapy session.” She knew she was, but she was very curious how he saw her fitting into the mix.”

~Leah Hart, NP

“Oh indeed.” Kreed said. “Your qualifications and certifications will not be wasted. First, I would like to see you handling all the training and certifications for the nurses. Additionally, during operations. I would like you to oversee triage. Are those acceptable starting points?”

Kreed, CMO

She nodded. Crossing one leg over a knee, Leah sank more into the seat. “I can manage that. What’s currently outstanding or needed in due course in regards to the training and certifications?”

~Leah Hart, NP

Kreed looked at her and said “I have no idea. That is your purview.” He took a breath and then said “I believe that one of us should be on duty at all times… or at least on call… but I would like to see some overlap in our daily routine so that we have a chance to confer or for any issues that may arise. I, of course, have the utmost confidence in your abilities as a nurse and a medical professional. The same cannot be said of the computer or of Star Fleet Medical. There will be some things that you will simply not be allowed to do by regulations. I will have to either approve or do the action myself. I do not want you to ever believe that is my doing. I would have no compunction to you treating me for any physical malady… and we know that you have the psychological side of health and wellness as your domain. I will strive to give you complete autonomy with regards to that; although I do want to be informed of the need for any kind of medications outside the normal anxiety, depression, et cetera. Just so I can be aware of where the crew is at. Is that reasonable?”

Kreed, CMO

“Absolutely,” Leah said with a firm nod. “I understand that there are limitations and I’ve never sought to go beyond those. Now, I might argue for a course of action I believe someone should take who has the authorization to do so, but at the end of the day, you have the medical degree. I appreciate that you want us to be partners here though. It makes my job easier, not just because we’re not automatically at odds, but because our works needs to dovetail neatly together in order to be effective. I like to talk things out with someone when I’m trying to make a diagnosis, and I have no issues going to you with medication requests above what you’ve outlined.”

“Can you tell me more about the organization of the department in a practical sense? I’m coming form a hospital background, so I know there will be a slight adjustment.”

~Leah Hart, NP

Kreed said “We are currently staffed with three Doctors, one Nurse Practitioner- yourself, of course-, seven nurses and four medics. I have assigned dedicated staff to each of three shifts, with an hour of overlap between shifts to allow for hand-downs of information. Sickbay is open at all times, and in the case of an alert all Medical staff report here for assignments. Most ships allow the highest ranking officer to be in charge if the CMO is out. I do not do that. When I am not here, it will be a doctor in charge. If there is no doctor, it is you. Regardless of that hierarchy, you as the Nurse Practitioner are in charge of the nursing staff. This has northing to do with doctors being superior to nurses; it has to do with the jobs being markedly different to those of us who do medicine. I would not know how to be a nurse. A nurse would not know how to be a doctor. What we do is complimentary, of course… but it is different. As such, a Nurse should be in charge of the Nurses. Is that reasonable to you as well?”

Kreed, CMO