Medically Necessary

Posted on Fri Apr 22nd, 2022 @ 10:42am by Lieutenant Etan tar-Lexros & Lieutenant Commander Rutherford (RJ) Milton

Mission: Free write
Location: Sickbay
Tags: sickbay,operations,medical,physical exam

After checking in with the Captain and getting quarters assigned, the next order of business for a new officer aboard a ship was the physical examination. He'd been through one when his old ship arrived at Starbase for refit, another when his transfer paperwork came through, and now a new one. It was getting a little frustrating, and Etan wondered if either the Fleet was concerned about identity theft, or if their record transmissions were really that unreliable. Still, even if it hadn't been part of standard procedure, the Captain had ordered it directly, and that meant Etan had to be here. He had at least gotten into a fresh uniform, so he looked a little more professional as he walked into Sickbay, holding a PADD in one hand as he took notes about the Resolution. He stepped through the doors and looked around - rather than ending up with egg on his face as he had on the bridge, Etan looked down at his PADD and the crew complement list to find the Doctor's name.

Whoever it was that came up to him first got a slight smile. "Uh, hello. I'm Lieutenant tar-Lexros, the new Ops chief. I'm looking to see Dr. Milton for my physical. I'd appreciate if you could direct me to him."

A streak of light seemed to shoot out of the CMO office and angle up higher to get a good look at the newcomer. Pix hovered with a smile and her usual dim glow.

"You came to the right place." MIlton came out of the office. "I am Doc Milton, and you are?" He had crossed to tar-Lexros and offered a hand shake. "Welcome to my area of service."

Etan shook the man's hand, though hew as obviously not fully confident in the situation. He didn't immediately notice the hovering being, as he was focused on the Doctor first and foremost. The Sickbay aboard a Galaxy seemed bigger than some of the hospitals he'd seen. In any evacuation event, he could see this being a major hub of activity.

"Thanks, Doctor. I'm Lieutenant tar-Lexros - the new Operations Chief. I just came aboard. I'm here for my physical exam before I can go on duty. The Captain ordered me to get it taken care of as soon as possible."

"Then we shan't keep him waiting." Turning to gesture to the nearest Biobed. "If you will step over to the Biobed we can get started. He nod. "Remove the jacket and get more comfortable as I warm up the machine."

Pix went higher and took a position on a crossmember looking down at the newcomer. SHe seemed content to keep her distance.

Milton had the biobed activated easily enough.

Etan removed his jacket quickly and walked over to the biobed, hanging the garment from the foot of the bed. "Of course, Doctor. Uh, since I'm new aboard, how has this the ship typically run in terms of provisioning for Sickbay? Have you and your staff handled that, or does the Quartermaster, usually? I'm amenable to either option; my job is to make your job easier."

"Well if there are some special things I usually make a trip to the station and see to it personally." Milton took the probe as the Biobed activated. "I do the required Submissions of requests through the Operations Loop." He chuckled as he spoke. "Never really paid all that much attention to who did the actual ordering. "

Pix flew over to take a seat atop the monitor to watch this man who she was curious about.

I know some Department heads like to be on top and add their weight to requests. Not me, if there is a minor thing I have my Lead Nurse head over to OPS and deal, she is quite friendly and no added pressure of a 'Boss' breathing down OPS personnel's neck. " I have had fairly good service with that system so far."

Etan actually smiled at that - having something that worked like he wanted it to aboard the ship was gratifying. "I appreciate that, Doctor. And if there is anything special while we're at space, please let me know, and I'll see if I can either fabricate it or arrange a rendezvous with another vessel. And any request from Medical should be treated as highest-priority regardless of who it comes from. Our health's essential to a successful mission, after all." He seemed to ease up a bit, having just been told that he'd be handling the Sickbay requests, which fit with his current world-view of how things should be aboard a Starship.

"I will try not to abuse your kindness." Milton watched the scans as he spoke. "Have you anything out of the ordinary you want to tell me, common cold in the past two weeks, maybe a strained ankle from Holo Deck fun, or anything else?"

For a moment, the young Atreonid considered his actions over the last two weeks. He shook his head when he abruptly realized he'd been silent for longer than a conversational average. "No. Over the last two weeks, I've been working through the transfer process; that's taken up the majority of my time. Studying the design of Galaxy class vessels, Fleet guidance for new Operations chiefs assigned thereto, and the physical process of departing Starbase 5 from my old ship and arranging a rendezvous with the ship. I also declined shore leave in favor of my transfer, as I'd prefer to get into my new work routine sooner rather than later."

"Now why is it that no one thinks we Doctors slow things just so we can talk?" Milton almost smiled. "Always in a hurry to be somewhere else." HE found nothing out of the ordinay thus far. "I will not keep you from your duties any longer than to get a baseline of your health to compare with later checks and such."

Etan nodded appreciatively at the man's comment that he wouldn't be kept overly long. After all, the sooner this and his psych eval were completed, the sooner he could get to work. "Thank you, Doctor. I hope that I can help improve your operational efficiency in the future."

"It is okay, but you will owe me big for the quick check and nnot being able to do that Doctor 'Chit-Chat' that we usually take with new patients. " He said as he was finishing the scans. "But you will also find that I am not one to make many odd requests; keep the inventory levels up and you minght not have to see me til your next evaluation..." He grinned and winked. "Officially. But I might try the conversation thing if I see you about you know?"