I have worked in this field for 8 damn long years and I’ve loved it.
Moved to a new company in July and I’m taking on a program manager position soon. I’m not sure if I’m going to make it.
We are a hands off facility and the one client here is completely misplaced and violent. He will attack on a moments notice. There is no amount of deescalation that works.
He has attacked me at least once every single shift that I’ve been here. I’m covered in bruises and scratches. I can’t restrain him. Cannot defend myself at all. Cannot leave him unattended to keep myself safe. He has started to also try to abuse his housemate. I have put in serious effort to get to know him. I have a playlist of his favorite songs on my phone because he loves music. I go to great effort to make the environment as least stimulating as possible. It’s to no avail.
Higher ups don’t care and don’t understand. Have me working 16 hour shifts with the most violent and mentally I’ll person I’ve ever cared for. Tell me to find better solutions than to call the police even if he’s attacking his housemate and I can’t deescalate him. There’s a referral to move him and dragging their feet because of the money coming to the program for having him. They scratch their heads over us not being able to keep staff.
Is every employer just a total POS? Does someone have to get put in the hospital for change? Jesus Christ.