Full Review: The Good, The Bad, and The Weird
Mar 25, 2017 15:31:05 GMT -5
FloridaGirl and puntkicker like this
Post by eyefiverat on Mar 25, 2017 15:31:05 GMT -5
So I'm chillin at PPD with lots of opinions and nothing better to do, so I figured I'd write a review about the place while it's fresh in my mind. Feel free to ask me anything about it. In general, I might come back here, but only if the study is highly lucrative. Otherwise I'll be seeking out more modern labs with more sunlight and professionalism.
THE GOOD:
1. Friendliness of staff: Almost all under 30, hardly any cop-wannabes, super chill and down to banter.
2. Chill lounge areas: Movie Room, Sports Room, Billiards/Gaming Room, and Computer/Quiet area are all welcoming and 0800-2345.
THE BAD:
1. Only two unfriendlies that I noticed: "Philippe", a recruiter with a French accent who supervised my first screening, and treats lab rats like convicts far more than anyone I've ever seen, and "Dirty Grandpa", a paramedic who think's he's the only sheriff in town and gives off a downright creepy vibe.
2. Many staff are NEWBs. Almost all under 30, some with less than a day of training and without any prior experience in the medical field. The folks drawing our blood are mostly making $10/hr, up to $14 in some cases (less than the Rats!) I don't know if this is the standard at all labs, but I think if I'm getting stuck with needles dozens of times I think I'd prefer a more professional approach. Just for safety's sake.
3. Sleeping arrangements are near-jail-like. The beds are maximum 6ft long and narrower than a twin, the pillows are flimsy, limited and coated in plastic, and people sleep 8 bunks to a small room with ZERO windows. I'm finding it difficult to get decent sleep in here. They shut the Wi-Fi off around 0030 and turn it back on around 0800.
4. Shower arrangements are near-jail-like. Low water pressure, fluctuating temperature, cheapest soap possible, very little privacy.
5. Architecture and layout of the building is near-jail-like. Cafeteria, computer area, and game room are the only places with any windows. Corridors are narrow. Bright overhead lights in procedure areas are detrimental to one's vision. I think it's possible to forget about the sun in here.
THE WEIRD:
1. They are paranoid as hell about picture-taking, and put blue tape over all the cameras on your devices before you go into the lab. Removing this blue tape is a serious offense. They give everyone a second wristband to keep track of electronic devices.
2. The Rats in here lean younger, leading to a kinda high school vibe. Gossip, crushes, whining, insomnia and locker-room talk seem more common here than perhaps they are in most labs.
3. They make you wear a company t-shirt in the color of their choice, so that rats from different studies don't all blend together. Many, many people have worn the shirt before you, and you don't get to take it home.
THE GOOD:
1. Friendliness of staff: Almost all under 30, hardly any cop-wannabes, super chill and down to banter.
2. Chill lounge areas: Movie Room, Sports Room, Billiards/Gaming Room, and Computer/Quiet area are all welcoming and 0800-2345.
THE BAD:
1. Only two unfriendlies that I noticed: "Philippe", a recruiter with a French accent who supervised my first screening, and treats lab rats like convicts far more than anyone I've ever seen, and "Dirty Grandpa", a paramedic who think's he's the only sheriff in town and gives off a downright creepy vibe.
2. Many staff are NEWBs. Almost all under 30, some with less than a day of training and without any prior experience in the medical field. The folks drawing our blood are mostly making $10/hr, up to $14 in some cases (less than the Rats!) I don't know if this is the standard at all labs, but I think if I'm getting stuck with needles dozens of times I think I'd prefer a more professional approach. Just for safety's sake.
3. Sleeping arrangements are near-jail-like. The beds are maximum 6ft long and narrower than a twin, the pillows are flimsy, limited and coated in plastic, and people sleep 8 bunks to a small room with ZERO windows. I'm finding it difficult to get decent sleep in here. They shut the Wi-Fi off around 0030 and turn it back on around 0800.
4. Shower arrangements are near-jail-like. Low water pressure, fluctuating temperature, cheapest soap possible, very little privacy.
5. Architecture and layout of the building is near-jail-like. Cafeteria, computer area, and game room are the only places with any windows. Corridors are narrow. Bright overhead lights in procedure areas are detrimental to one's vision. I think it's possible to forget about the sun in here.
THE WEIRD:
1. They are paranoid as hell about picture-taking, and put blue tape over all the cameras on your devices before you go into the lab. Removing this blue tape is a serious offense. They give everyone a second wristband to keep track of electronic devices.
2. The Rats in here lean younger, leading to a kinda high school vibe. Gossip, crushes, whining, insomnia and locker-room talk seem more common here than perhaps they are in most labs.
3. They make you wear a company t-shirt in the color of their choice, so that rats from different studies don't all blend together. Many, many people have worn the shirt before you, and you don't get to take it home.
But I know the blue tape is to keep other peoples identities private, which I personally am thankful for. Also beds are still sh!t, but on the upside.. I hear they got rid of the bunks?
