Surgical assistants (OTA) have been fighting for state recognition of their profession for a long time - also in the district clinic. Now they see themselves again at a disadvantage.
Fürstenfeldbruck - Because with the 500 euro corona bonus that nurses get, they go away empty-handed. They want to put an end to injustice with a petition.
Kristin Oldenburg is fed up. The 36-year-old works in the Brucker district clinic. As a surgical assistant, she prepares interventions and supports the doctors in the operations. But she gets less money for that than an operating room nurse. "We are classified lower and lower," says Oldenburg. Therefore, the 36-year-old supports a petition that advocates equality for OTAs.
Kristin Oldenburg is fighting for the care premium.
© Weber
The Corona premium for caregivers shows how far away one is. Because Oldenburg and her colleagues should not see any of this. "All the injustice comes up again."
Exposed to the same risk
This is particularly unfair because the OTAs are exposed to the same risks as the carers. Oldenburg reports that she was also involved in operations on corona patients - or helped in the admission of infected people in full protective gear. "We do the same work, have the same risks and are now left empty handed," says Oldenburg.
The 36-year-old receives support from Dr. Holger Geissler. He is chairman of the staff council at the clinic and also criticizes that OTAs should go empty-handed in the bonus. "That is unfair," says Geißler. The idea of rewarding carers for their work in society is good in itself. In addition to the non-recognition of OTAs, the fact that the premium should only apply to nursing staff causes great frustration among employees.
And when looking into the future, the head of the staff council sees little encouragement. At the moment there is a high esteem for the employees in hospitals. But Geißler wonders: "What is left of it once Corona is over?" Geißler is very skeptical. "I'm afraid things will continue as before."