Training
Today is my 4th day with my first trainee. 4th day out of 8 weeks. Ugh. I wish I could say that I accepted the position of trainer out of a deep love and appreciation for my job and a want to pass my knowledge of such an important job and set of skills onto a new generation of first responders...but, I'd be lying. I accepted it because I've been doing this job for 6 years and I'm bored, I'm one of very few senior dispatchers and the administration has been on my back about becoming a trainer, and most of all...I get an extra $25 for each day I'm with someone.
Reason I hate training #1: One of the things I love about my job is that in between frantic callers, any down time is ours to spend however we choose. We can read, watch movies, play on our phones or laptops, and chit chat with our coworkers. But, while training, none if that is allowed. You are supposed to be completely focused on your trainee. Blegh. No phone, no FB, no relaxing. It makes for a rough day. I'm not even supposed to text my husband (yes, husband...expect a full update on that) and that's rough, because we've texted all day every day for almost 3 years.
Reason I hate training #2: You spend 12 hours a day, 4 days a week for 8 weeks attached to a stranger. When I say attached, I mean it literally. Their headset is attached to yours by a training cable. It's unnerving and annoying. I very much dislike not being able to go pee by myself. And, even when you're on a break, they follow you around like a lost puppy because they don't know anyone else and don't know what to do with themselves.
Reason I hate training #3: Teaching someone to do this job is damn near impossible. Staying calm while a frantic mother screams and pleads with you to save the baby she just pulled from the bottom of the pool, knowing how to calm her, being able to jump to action and know exactly what needs to be done, staying calm and taking control of the situation, saving a life....that can't be taught. That requires a certain type of personality and it is something that comes to you only with time and experience.
Being a trainer in this profession is no easy task. I can't complain too much though, at least my first trainee isn't a moron. She's catching on quick, and once she gets over her nerves and being scared of the job, I think she will do great. She's not terrible to be tethered to either. She's a cute little 19 yr old who wasn't close with her family, so she moved here from NY to go to school and work. Her fiance is a manager and is waiting to he transferred down here, so she's here alone.
Anyway...the short of it is, I hate my work life right now.
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