I know the obvious answer to my title is NO, but let me explain!
I applied to this job (for a part time position of office assistant in a psychiatric practice, $16/hour) in late October. A week after I applied, I got a phone call from the owner/head psychiatrist asking me what I'm looking for, availability, and what the job entails. I'm only able to work three days a week, (T, TR, F) since I go to college M and W. He explained that they're looking for an office assistant, but also a TMS technician, since they offer TMS therapy, which I will have on the job training for. I honestly didn't mind, since I'm a certified medical assistant and have experience with patients, etc. So, we scheduled a day for me to come for an interview.
Forgot to add: I previously had classes Tuesday and Thursdays, but since he had told me they were specifically looking for someone to work those days (along with Friday), I told him I'd be able to move my classes over to M and W instead.
I show up to my interview (Nov 10th) and get to meet my potentially future coworkers (super nice and sweet girls!) I also meet the other psychiatrist in the practice. I'm interview by both of them. They tell for what days they need coverage for and I tell them that, yeah I moved my classes so I'm able to work those days. They explain the responsibilities of office assistant and technician, and also show me the machine I'll be operating for TMS therapy. It seems like I'll be doing more TMS therapy than actually working as an office assistant. After the interview, they ask two (out of four) of the girls that have worked there the longest to have a talk with me so that “we all get to know one another.” Turns out that we go to the same college and they're also part timers, so I'm excited since they're the type of girls I'd be friends with! After talking to them (for like 5 mins), the doctor gives me his phone number and I leave. (After I had left, I realized he'd never say when he'd let me know I'm being hired and I forgot to ask him.)
A week passes, and I check my Indeed application (that's where I applied) and my status shows that I have not been selected. Ouch. I was actually hoping to be hired since I got along well and the job seems easy enough. Oh, well, I let it go and try to look for other jobs, but I can't seem to find any that are worth it or pay enough.
Yesterday, I remembered I still had the psychiatrists number so I decided to send him a text. This is what I wrote: “Good afternoon, Dr. [BLANK], I hope all is well! This is wear_artthou, I came in for an interview on November 10. I’m following up to see if there are any updates in regards to the office assistant role. I’ve been having trouble logging into my Indeed account so I’m unable to see any messages or the status of my application. Thank you for your time and consideration. It was wonderful to get to know you and your team!” Which is a lie, because I did see I was rejected but I wanted to shoot my shot!
And it worked! I got a call from him three hours after my text (while I was at work, but I stepped out to take it). He basically said they need coverage for Tues, Thurs, Fri and blah blah blah. The exact same thing as the previous phone call. I told him duh, I can work those days. He also mentioned he wanted to eventually make it full time (which confused me because the posting said part time and I go to school so I can't) and to send him my email (which was already on my resume) so that he can send me some documents and he wants me to send him a voided check. He also asked me if I could start Dec. 12, since they want me to be fully trained as a TMS tech by January. Which I told him I'd have to double check, but probably not since I want to give me two weeks.
Since I work at my current job on Tues and Thurs, I realized I could start working on Fridays at the psychiatric clinic starting next week. But I can only start working Tues and Thurs by the week of Dec 18th, if I were to give my two weeks notice now. So I sent him a text explaining that.
Anyways, after that he asks if I can come in sometime next week to try out the TMS equipment. He still has not sent any documents after I texted him my email yesterday, so I have't gone through onboarding, I don't know if I'm even going to be hired. I really don't want to waste my time or even go there without being paid. I don't understand why I need to go again if I've already seen it, isn't that the point of training? So I get comfortable with it?
What do you guys think? Any advice on what I should do? ALSO, should I be getting paid more, since in the job posting, the $16/hr is only for the office assistant position. I'm going to be doing more technician work (their words) so should I ask for an pay increase? I googled, and TMS techs get paid $20. Not sure if that applies to where I live though (Maryland, US). Thoughts?
