Talking Down

Have you ever been talked down to by someone in a higher job position than you? Where they actual pointed out to you that their time is more important than yours? I deal with some pretty large ego's with huge pay checks to go along with it, but most of these people are kind, and even try to build good work relationships with me. After all we need each other to get the job done. I work at a hospital in the radiology department. We are radiology support so I spend most of my work day interacting with doctors, imaging tech's, and nurses. Some of these people think I know more than I do, but my position is basically on the job training so when I talk to a doctor I need to know my medical terminology so they take me seriously. They will correct me if I pronouns something wrong, or the images I've put on our computer system for them to compare are comparable to the exam. 

Before starting my job position a little over a year ago, I started out at the hospital working in housekeeping. Boy, was I ever talked down to in that position. Be kind to your housekeeper's its a very tough physical job, and it's very crucial to you feeling better, and not leaving the hospital with something you didn't come into the hospital for. I never forget where I started, and I am very kind to the woman who cleans our office's, and thank her for doing so. Housekeepers are subjected to so many illnesses, and have to protect themselves from bringing whatever illness home to loved ones. I've had nurses make demands on my workload that physically drained me. I even had one run down the hall yelling "housekeeper!" then asked me why I didn't answer her? I turned to her and said "my name isn't housekeeper".

My job requires me to make a lot of phone calls to doctors office's as well. Usually to give not so good news about one of their patient's test results. I always try to speak to people with a pleasant voice, and remain as professional as I can be. I know that how I come across can make a huge difference in how a receptionist responds to my call. She might be having a fairly hectic day so I try to start the conversation with a "good morning" and end it with how much I appreciate them hunting down a fax I sent, and making sure the doctor receives it. When you treat people with respect on all levels of the totem pole it tends to make every ones day a good one. The only time you should be talking down to someone is when you get stuck in a tree and you need help getting down.