registered nurse

research assistant

postdoctoral fellow

postdoctoral researcher

senior research technician

UT Southwestern Medical Center

I have been fortunate to work for several directors and physicians  during my tenure at UT Southwestern during the past 24 years.  Listing one position is hard to encompass all I have done there.  A typical day always starts with the calendars of the directors and physicians so I will know where they will be during the day if needed.  In this particular job, patient slides are always waiting to be scanned and delivered to the correct pathologist.  Anything regarding patients is a first priority.  Slides are delivered 5 times daily.  Some slides may not have paperwork and I would look up patient information including insurance.  In the interim of slides, I would answer phones, contact outside physicians for patient consults, keeping track of what went where and when.  Consults coming in and going out, was ongoing daily and had to be sent by FedEx and following up on.  Check requests would be entered for statements due, and correspondence typed for the director.  There would always be copying and scanning to do, or look up needed journal articles on Pub Med.  I would also proof articles for spelling and correct English, and would submit them to the journal once the director approved.  Office supplies would be ordered on an as needed basis.

I learned how important the slides were for patient care and that rush means rush now.  Communicating with the physicians and coworkers is very important.  If you do not understand or have a question, always ask.

I learned that all those in management are not equal.  There are those that have very different styles in their work and communication skills.  It takes time to learn exactly what they need from you.  Just because they may not seem friendly doesn't mean they don't like you or your work.  Sometimes it is the culture they came from.  

Co-workers may be your friend or not, but you must always be respectful of each other.  I've been fortunate to have worked with very good co-workers.  If one had to be away from the office, we would always do our best to cover for them when needed.  Cross training was a good thing that we tried to do as far as working for the directors.  If the director was out, someone had to cover the phones and anything else they many need.

The hardest part of the job was when a co-worker was out of the office for weeks at a time for illness.  Not only did I have to do my job, but hers as well.  We had the same job, but worked for different physicians.  It was very hard to work 10 hours a day for weeks on and off for several months, but it was my job and there was not any complaining.  This sort of job must be completed each day for the patient's care, and I feel very responsible and took my job seriously.

The most enjoyable part of the job is easy.  I parked in a garage where I didn't have to go outside to get in the building!  We also had several eating places within UT to eat lunch.  With those two little perks aside, I loved all the people I met and friends I've made from many different countries through the years.  I enjoyed learning about their culture, foods, and beliefs.

I worked as an ambulatory RN at a couple of different specialty clinics at UTSW over the course of 3 years. The job was pretty high stress, there was a heavy and uneven workload, VERY poor management, terrible culture, and no real room for advancement. 

The nurses are overburdened with non-nursing responsibilities that could easily and more appropriately be delegated to non-clinical staff and/or medical assistants. There is a terrible working relationship between management and nursing staff and very little respect given to nursing in general across all the ambulatory clinics. The compensation is very poor (my salary dropped $20,000/year when I left a med/surg hospital position to work at UTSW). Management and HR will claim that the benefits make up for the low pay, but this isn't true. The benefits are actually not at all competitive unless you stay with the company for AT LEAST 5 years, and even then it doesn't make up for the very low salary. 

There is way too much focus on keeping the physicians happy, to the point that nurses can sometimes face blame by management for mistakes made by the physicians. While there are some physicians that are quite amiable and nice to work with, many are themselves stressed and can take it out on nursing staff. 

There is also very high turn-over in the call center staffing, and as a result, there is absolutely NO accountability for the call center staff, they can and will be EXTREMELY disrespectful to nurses and medical assistants, and they will do LESS than the bare minimum what is expected of them. When you discuss this with nursing management and/or call center management, they will deny there is an issue or somehow blame the nurses for the problems.

Finally, there is a BIG problem with management across the board in the ambulatory clinics at UTSW, and UTSW takes the phrase "passing the buck" to an entirely new and pitiful level. The radiology insurance team always pushes their work on the ambulatory nurses, making them complete prior authorization for imaging orders. Medical assistants will stand around gossiping while the nurses struggle to get patients roomed (which is not a nursing duty). The call center staff will blind-transfer calls to nurses or will get absolutely no information from the caller. And management does little to nothing to address any and all problems brought to their attention, often advising nursing staff to "figure it out."

I would HIGHLY advise looking elsewhere for work. Having an 8-5 Monday through Friday job with most holidays off IS nice, but you can find this work schedule at other facilities and/or insurance companies and will most likely get paid MUCH better as well.

After a year of UTSW I left due to the daily stress. The job's work/life balance seemed okay, you get great benefits like free health care and management seemed easy to deal with, however the advancement opportunities seemed limited for the position I was in and the job culture was just okay. 

The main reason for leaving was the immense level of stress. In the position I held I reported to 2 direct managers who were constantly pulling me and the department in separate opposite directions. I was also responsible for supporting many of the executive level employees in the building I was in. Every problem was an emergency. A daily occurrence was dealing with hissyfits (including hitting equipment, yelling and general rage) from the executives not knowing how to use technology, constantly having to fix issues on old machines that they did not have the budget to replace, and being asked to perform duties well above and beyond my scope of work, culminating in them demanding I run something I was wholly unqualified for, and if I failed at the task, they would lose funding for the year. Who dumps that sort of responsibility on a tech?

As a technician there is very little more frustrating than a lack of cohesion or standardization of equipment as it makes diagnosing and fixing issues extremely difficult when you are dealing with a multitude of makes and models. We needed the leadership to help standardize across the campus but it was ultimately left to individual departments. As you can imagine, every single department chose a different manufacturer, spec-out and model which became a nightmare to keep track of for the purposes of inventory and parts management. Despite my role I was never even granted access to the inventory system to maintain the database of assets. 

UT seems very outdated on technology with very little to no effort put into training its employees on who to contact for what and when. I lost count of the times I had fellow employees tell me about some issue that had been plaguing them for months or years that was a quick 5 or 10 minute fix. 

Some of the people there were a real "joy" to work with. *sarcasm*, but for the most part everyone is professional. If you are in a technical field this is a great place to work if you want to get burned out within a year. If you are in another field it may be a good place to work. All I know is that it wasn't the place for me. *shrug*

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working at UTSW (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center) has been incredibly rewarding on many levels. One of the aspects I truly appreciate is the ability to effectively perform my job. The environment here fosters innovation and provides ample resources to tackle complex problems. The support system, both in terms of colleagues and infrastructure, is top-notch, which enables me to focus on my work with confidence and enthusiasm.

Moreover, being able to help others find solutions to intricate problems is immensely fulfilling. Whether it's collaborating with colleagues on research projects or assisting students in understanding difficult concepts, the sense of accomplishment in contributing to someone's growth and success is unparalleled. UTSW encourages a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing, which enhances the overall experience of working here.

Overall, the combination of a conducive work environment, ample resources, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by solving challenging problems makes working at UTSW truly gratifying.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Feeling the pressure of not having enough hours in the day to complete all  projects can be stressful. It's a common challenge, especially in roles that involve juggling multiple responsibilities and projects simultaneously. You learn to manage it.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
UTSW is an environment of openness and teamwork characterized by transparency, collaboration, and mutual support among team members. In such an environment, individuals feel comfortable expressing their ideas, concerns, and feedback openly, knowing that they will be heard and valued.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
At UTSW's Supply Chain, projects adhere to the organization and state policy, including vendor communication, order processing, inventory management, and contract negotiation, ensuring timely procurement while staying within budget constraints.

UT Southwestern (UTSW) Residency Program stands out as a premier training ground for aspiring physicians due to its robust clinical exposure, cutting-edge research opportunities, and supportive academic environment. Here's an overview of my experience and observations:

Strengths
Clinical Training Excellence
UTSW residents gain exposure to a diverse patient population across multiple facilities, including the renowned Parkland Memorial Hospital, Clements University Hospital, and the Dallas VA Medical Center. These institutions provide a comprehensive range of cases, from bread-and-butter conditions to rare pathologies, ensuring a well-rounded clinical experience.

World-Class Faculty
The faculty at UTSW are leaders in their respective fields, offering residents unparalleled mentorship. Their commitment to teaching is evident, with structured didactics, bedside teaching, and personalized feedback sessions that foster growth.

Research Opportunities
UTSW’s emphasis on research is a major draw. Residents have access to state-of-the-art resources and are encouraged to engage in scholarly activities, with many presenting at national conferences and publishing in high-impact journals. This aspect is particularly strong for those pursuing academic medicine.

Collegial Culture
Despite its size and prestige, UTSW maintains a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere. The camaraderie among residents and the approachability of faculty create a supportive environment conducive to learning and professional development.

Location and Resources
Situated in Dallas, the program benefits from being in a vibrant city with a relatively low cost of living. Additionally, UTSW’s facilities are modern and well-equipped, enhancing both patient care and educational experiences.

Areas for Improvement
Work-Life Balance
As with many top-tier programs, the rigorous schedule can sometimes take a toll on work-life balance. However, the program leadership actively works on initiatives to mitigate burnout, such as wellness programs and schedule flexibility.

Large Size


Daily posting of information to the curriculum website for the students.  Interact with students to determine what enrichment electives would help them in the medical field. 

I learned new software as it was incorporated into our department.  There were constant changes as we continued to learn from the students what was needed to make their learning an easier process.

The management was very supportive especially with cross training within the department.  There was not a position within our department that she was not capable of filling if necessary.

My co-workers were very informative and helpful.  Always willing to work as a team to help produce the students needs.

The hardest part of the job and yet one of the most exciting parts was during the annual process. The process was to interact with the professors and their assistants to obtain all departmental information to be posted on the curriculum website.  Most times information was received at the very last minutes and would need  corrections to the pdf's.  Though it seemed stressful working under pressure it was also exciting for me.

The most enjoyable part of the job was working with the students to determine which enrichment electives would be offered for the fall and spring semesters.  The set up of each elective included meeting professors and instructors outside of the medical field.  Determining which days to meet with the student, the choosing of halls to meet and the time.  During this there was also time spent learning about the curriculum being offered to the students.

Fast paced, detail-oriented working environment for a diverse patient population with complex otolaryngology medical issues (hearing loss, ear surgery, skull base tumors, skull base surgery, and balance disorders). Obtained patient vital signs, medical/surgical history, and entered information in patient's electronic medical record. Prepared patient exam rooms and inspected equipment to ensure patient safety. Roomed patients to provide optimal clinic flow. Triaged patient telephone and electronic inquires and provided education/advise when able. Followed up with physician with any patient medical problems that required further attention. Once information obtained, followed up with patients to provide timely recommendations and follow up. Coordinated patient appointments with audiology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and various other providers as indicated. Reviewed information with regard to surgeries, medical procedures, and follow up instructions. Documented patient response and understanding of information provided in the Electronic Medical Record. Ensured all applicable consents were obtained prior to performing any office procedures, ensured patients were aware of the risks and benefits with planned procedure, and completed the time out check list in the patient's electronic medical record. Multi-Tasking is essential to meeting the needs of the patients. The workplace was patient centered and found it to be most rewarding to make a positive impact in the lives of the patients and family members serviced at the facility.

I worked at UTSW for 4 years. The biggest issue with my old department was management. We lost so many great people because of them. The managers did not want to do anything to make our clinic better. They simply just wanted to get paid and then go home. Now that I am at a new clinic, I can see how badly run the UTSW clinic was. Most of the staff there had been there for 20+ years. When they leave, UTSW is going to have a hard time cleaning it up because of how badly run it is. In my 4 years there I tried to help reorganize everything but our management did not want to do anything except get paid and go home. As a result, they lost a lot of great staff.

My work/life balance was great. Our team worked together to allow everyone off when they needed it.  That was the best thing about our clinic.

However, the worst thing about UTSW is how strict they are about how their hourly staff clocks in. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CLOCK IN A MINUTE LATE OR CLOCK OUT A MINUTE EARLY. The managers, however, can literally do whatever they want. It was not fair. Even if you wake up sick, call out, go to the doctor, and come back with a note, you still get "a point" for calling out. But your salary managers could call out whenever they wanted to. That led to several people coming to work sick and causing other people to get sick. On the other hand, I had a manager that decided to leave work early to go shopping. That was my final straw in deciding to leave. The hourly staff were the main ones keeping that clinic together and we were being monitored like we weren't doing our job.

Management in the IR department is not focused on employee development or employee satisfaction. You will notice that within a few weeks of starting.

Most analysts are friendly and accommodating. Most will provide you with a little guidance and advice to help you learn the ropes. They will not provide much in depth guidance or advice but it isn't because they are unfriendly it is because there is not a clear and concise understanding across the department that facilitates communication.

The hardest part of the job is work life balance. There is none. You have a choice. Once you clear the six month probationary period you can stick to a 35 to 40 hour work week. During some projects you will be pressured to increase to 40+ but it is up to you if you want to. However, upper management will notice it and it may color their opinion of you. Most people who impress management consistently work 50+ hours with limited time off. So, decide what your tolerances are early on.

There is almost no advancement opportunity. Do not be fooled by that. Do not believe anything to the contrary.

The most enjoyable part of the job is interacting with some co-workers since many people have a great sense of humor.

You will be on-call and you will work holidays regardless of what human resources says. Your involvement with HR ends at orientation so do not be fooled into thinking HR represents anyone's interest but the organization.

Arrive between 7:15-& 7:30 am, check emails first thing (and several times throughout the day) for new scheduling requests and return confirmation or reply with questions. Process any invoice that has been returned for payment. Review and reply to Investigators re: new studies, enter into access billing database, schedule meeting for specific subject utilization. Draft letter of agreement to PI; when returned, forward to the Asst. Director, Manager and Dept. Chair for signatures. Enter daily billing and all other services incurred for the CTRC Outpatient clinic. Generate monthly invoices for all services--estimated 130, and reconcile weekly reports that are sent to the Director. Maintain outstanding A/R and deal with collections. Input all payroll/VSL's/FMLA, etc. for 11 employees (all HR functions for department). Order supplies for nursing staff and clinics as needed. Leave between 3:30-8:30 pm depending what needs to be done. I have learned to prioritize all responsibilities, and manage time each day efficiently. The hardest part of the job is the new NIH grant does not support administrative salaries, The most enjoyable part of the job is knowing that I put forth 110% of everything that is asked of me. I take pride in my job no matter the task. Challenges are rewarding and welcome.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Registered nurse 20 salaries reported	$40.80 per hour
Research assistant 5 salaries reported	$42,920 per year
Postdoctoral fellow 6 salaries reported	$58,000 per year
Postdoctoral researcher 14 salaries reported	$66,504 per year
Senior research technician 3 salaries reported	$19.00 per hour

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