Well, I have a new job!  No, it’s not at DPSST – which I wrote about in a previous post.

It’s with the Oregon State Hospital.

I’ll let that marinate a moment.

Yes, the Oregon State Hospital.  Oh come on … you know the one.  It’s on Center Street in Salem.

It’s where they filmed “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.”

Yup … my new job is at the state’s MENTAL hospital.  My actual title is “Public Service Representative 3″ – kind of a cross between a receptionist, a security guard, and a dispatcher.  I will be at the front desk, checking in visitors, checking credentials and ID, monitoring the video feed from the sally ports, common areas, treatment areas, etc.

I am actually looking forward to this job!  My mom is a little nervous … and most people I tell about my new job say something to the effect of:

 “Oh … that sounds … interesting.”

I think it’s the stigma of working at a MENTAL hospital.

But honestly, I am just glad to be working again.  And this is a good job, good pay, good benefits.  And, I am hoping, good co-workers.  I think that you need to have a good sense of humor to work here … just like you need a good sense of humor to be a 911 call taker and dispatcher.  So that’s a plus right there!

I start training on May 11th.  Then, after a couple weeks, I go to my regular shift.  And that’s when the fun REALLY starts.  Let me introduce you to my shift schedule:

Friday:  6:45 a.m. to 8:35 p.m.

Saturday:  6:45 a.m. to 8:35 p.m.

Sunday:  6:45 a.m. to 8:35 p.m.

Monday through Thursday:  days off

I know you read that right – yes, those are 13 hour and 20 minute shifts for 3 days straight.  I get a 40 hour work week crammed into 3 days.  Yippee!  (Can you tell I am being sarcastic?  Does that come through in my typing?)

I am not complaining.  I am really not.  There is a certain amount of adjustment to any new job.  I might actually enjoy this schedule.  It gives me 4 days to spend with my daughter this summer, while she is off from school.  The only drawback is not having my weekends to do stuff.  But I am used to working crazy hours from when I was a call taker, so that will be nothing new.  And my daughter has been great about dealing with my job schedules – she will be OK with this one, and we will make it work for us.  Plus, they told me that as soon as a new shift becomes available, I can lateral into that shift.  So that’s comforting.  Except I don’t know how long it will be before another shift becomes available.  But it’s all good anyway. 

So … I will keep this blog updated … hopefully … as things move along.  And I can share more information about my new job.