vocational rehabilitation counselor

employment specialist

registered nurse

social worker

administrative coordinator

South-Oaks-Hospital

A typical workday/night comprised working with all levels of patient care in the intake process, while covering all inpatient psychiatric and detox/rehab units

Ever changing management had transformed the culture from a team approach which fostered an atmosphere that encouraged and valued autonomy and a team-based approach to an authoritative style of management, by which it had moved physician and other clinician decision making to nonclinical entities. 
 
The hardest part of the job was the increasing pressure to ignore ethical medical decision making and relinquish it to management, whom often had little to no clinical experience or patient care. Maintaining the practice of caring for patients with the ethical and moral standards, and via utilization of scientific knowledge from years of medical training; not moving this to those whom either did not have the required training or those who do but made a personal decision to stray from it in favor of a business model. 

The cohesiveness, teamwork, friendships, and trust between colleagues by far was the most enjoyable part of the job. Working in harmony with like-minded and trusted colleges was the enjoyable and rewarding aspect of the job. Positive feedback from patients and their family members provided ongoing motivation and encouragement This alone made my experience at SOH one of the best in my career. 

A culture of fear, pressure, and intimidation drove the best employees to leave. Those who stayed either gave into the pressures or manintained high moral and ethical standards, and challenged the decline of autonomy. Many more left in search of something better or it forced the decision upon them.

•	Maintained nursing and auxiliary staff by engaging in the selection, recruitment and training process 
•	Established a compassionate environment by providing emotional and psychological support to staff, patients, and families
•	Advocated for patient/family needs and wishes with regard to health care
•	Maintained nursing guidelines by writing and updating policies and procedures
•	Assured quality of care by implementing hospital policies and nursing division's standards of care in accordance with  the NY state nurse practice act regulations
•	Achieved financial objectives by prepared budgets, scheduled expenditures, and analyzed variances
•	Maintained professional knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; and participating in professional societies
•	Maintained a cooperative relationship among the health care interdisciplinary team by communicating information; responding to requests; and participating in team problem-solving methods

CONS
1. HORRIBLE MANAGEMENT-too many of the wrong people are in charge.
2. No concept of self-care regarding staff
3. Overworked and VERY stressful environment
4. Short staff all the time
5. No room for advancement unless your are a favorite and seniority rule which should be changed!!!
6. Lots of favoritism 
7. Pay is not enough especially since we are overworked (especially ACs)
8. Every day is stressful because we are always scrambling for coverage 
9. Hard to get time off approved
10. Lots of petty drama on all units 

Trying very hard to leave this place! I am so disappointed because this place used to be cohesive and all about recovery. Now, everything is about numbers and business, and not enough about patient or staff care. 
BE AWARE IF YOU APPLY HERE!!! I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE AT ALL!!!!

This is the slogan for South Oaks Hospital although it is the furthest thing from the truth. The staff there cares about each other, and the patients-always going above and beyond. Administration only cares about $$...focused on all the wrong things. Administration has no care for staff's mental and pyshcial health. Staff is never acknowledged for what is done right on a continual basis and crucified for any mistake. Positions are given to many that are unqualified and there are no standards for who they hire. Someone who does the bare minimun is held to the same regard as whoever goes above and beyond. Staff is afraid to speak up at the fear of being bullied by administration. Avoid this torture chamber PLEASE. Too many good people work there already and cope with the stress. Work elsewhere. I am working everyday on getting out.

I have been at south oaks for over 10 years I have seen a lot of changes. One thing that has not changed is the treatment of employees, if you are not Union u have no one to go to when you have a problem with your dept, management is no help, reports are made but no action is taken, I love my job when I am allowed to do it, and the department head doesn't talk down to you as if you are an idiot. Or when rules are changed and not documented to cover there backs, but make you look incompetent. I haven seen people let go because management did not like them or was a waste of there time, yet they will not admit to it. South oaks is an ok stepping stone to get your feet wet in your career as a CSW, PH.D, RN, MD and so on, but if you are clerical stay clear

Because I loved what I did it was easy to work at South Oaks. Commuting wasn't the best but some of the people there made it worth going everyday.It provided me the stability I needed for my family, especially through the benefit time they provided.My supervisor allowed me space to excel and provide input into the company. Working with other staff at my level and staff I managed was exciting. It proved to be very educational. They learn things from me and I learn things from them as well. To work in the environment i worked in, it was always nice to see the end result of our clients with smiles and satisfaction on their faces and/or voice.

South Oaks is overall a good place to work. They offer good pay and benefits. It is fast-paced but adaptable. Some units are better than others. Some units are also very cliquey and peers can be very judgmental and unsupportive at times. On some units there is poor staff morale and some supervisors like to target staff members. There are also very good supervisors that are supportive. So I would recommend South Oaks depending on the supervisor and predominate unit location.

Started here as a new grad because they were the only place that would hire me . Psych is a difficult field mentally and emotionally . Compared to med/surg nursing this is less work . Working 8 hour shifts and every other weekend sucks. We are fighting for 12 hour shifts to make our non work lives better . I plan on living for 12 hour shifts and better pay thought $38/hr isn't bad , as an RN you can do better . If they were 12 hour shifts Id stay but my mental health is more important then an "easier" job

I enjoyed working at South Oaks. I liked work ethics and the attitude of the hospital towards its employees. The work environment was good enough for everybody to work and keep the workflow very smooth and fluid. I learned a lot at South Oaks  
I also earned a tremendous experience in patients' relation. The hospital  is very productive and compliant to regulations. Not to forget  fun. 
I encourage everyone to work for South Oaks.

Expect the unexpected at all times, expect to be over-utilized, underappreciated and forced to do what you weren't hired for. People are pushed around and bullied into doing what they don't want to do, even though they have staff willing to fill those tasks. Complete chaos and lack of logic in the running of the department from the top down. Stay away from the Voc Rehab Department. They'll make you crazy.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Vocational rehabilitation counselor 2 salaries reported	$69,681 per year
Employment specialist 3 salaries reported	$22.36 per hour
Registered nurse 3 salaries reported	$41.67 per hour
Social worker 1 salary reported	$57,500 per year
Administrative coordinator 1 salary reported	$30.00 per hour

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