I’ve been asked to do something that falls outside my role, what should I do?

Abstract

It can be hard to know how to respond when asked to undertake a task that isn’t part of your role, but there are ways to deal with it, Abi Rimmer hears Ashley Simpson, medical education fellow, NHS Lothian, says, “Being asked to undertake a task you believe is outside your role can be challenging. Navigating these situations is often context dependent, requiring a balance between your professional responsibilities, team working, and patient safety. “Delivering healthcare is a team effort, with each professional holding specific responsibilities. There is often overlap in competencies, however, meaning that some tasks can be undertaken by multiple team members. “As a resident doctor rotating though departments, it’s important to clarify the typical responsibilities of team members in each setting. A task outside your role in one department may fall within it in another. Establishing role boundaries can empower you to handle situations like this more effectively. “Occasionally you may be asked to complete tasks typically assigned to others—for example, phlebotomy—because of workload or staffing pressures. In these instances, working collaboratively may be the best approach for patient care. If this becomes a frequent occurrence, impacting your own clinical responsibilities or professional development, you should escalate this to your clinical or educational supervisor. “The General Medical Council requires doctors to work within their competence. If you are asked to perform a task that you are not trained to undertake, you must voice this. While that might feel difficult in hierarchical teams, patient safety is your priority. Politely explain—for example, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not competent to perform this task safely. I think it …