The Physician of Traditional Medicine Returns from Murim - Chapter 240

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 240

Seo Inae read through the contract at an incredible speed.

“I’ll borrow a pen.”

I was about to tell her she could take her time reviewing it before signing.

But before that, she grabbed the pen from my desk and signed it.

“So when new branches open in the future, I’ll occasionally go on business trips like this to set things up? It’s like a manager role… It sounds interesting.”

“That’s how it will gradually work out. This time, let’s start with assessment, and we’ll discuss solutions together.”

“Yes. I’ll get confirmation before proceeding.”

“No, I meant you can discuss it if you’re unsure so you don’t feel burdened. If Teacher Inae judges that immediate action is needed, you can execute it directly and report afterward.”

I corrected Seo Inae’s misunderstanding and conveyed exactly what I wanted.

The corners of Seo Inae’s mouth twitched.

She blinked several times, then clasped both hands to her chest.

“Thank you for trusting me. I’ll work hard.”

Fighting. I completely trust that you’ll work hard.

After finishing the meeting with Seo Inae, I posted a job listing for a nursing assistant.

Even if not for immediate business trips, wouldn’t I need someone to handle basic tasks if I’m going to gradually assign her other responsibilities?

‘At least 2 people. If there are many good applicants, hiring 3 would be good too.’

Since Seo Inae was already working the maximum hours allowed by law, there was a high possibility that no one would want to work under these conditions.

Even if they did, it would be difficult for an ordinary person to fulfill such a role alone.

After finishing uploading the job posting, lunchtime quickly disappeared.

I soon returned to afternoon consultations.

And a few hours later.

I contacted Chu Miyoung while leaving work.

“Director Chu, Teacher Inae has agreed to come and help. She’ll stay for about one to two months to provide training and set things up.”

– Oh! Really? What a relief! My mental state was really on edge…

“You should have told me sooner.”

– *sigh* All the other directors are doing well, but I feel like I’m the only one causing trouble. I’ve been open for several years and I’m still struggling with things like this.

“Staff management is originally the most difficult thing. We’re working together so you can get help with these issues. Even if I can’t solve everything, I’ll do my best to think through problems together, so tell me anytime.”

– Thank you so much!

Chu Miyoung was greatly relieved.

It seemed she had been under a lot of mental stress.

In fact, cases like our clinic where staff stayed long-term weren’t common.

In all small companies, having one or two people quit and hiring new ones was routine.

We didn’t usually consult about such matters, but this situation clearly had problems.

According to what I heard the day before, the staff were making too many mistakes.

Patient complaints occurred frequently, and they made mistakes even with things that shouldn’t be mistaken.

Even though Chu Miyoung didn’t particularly scold them, staff kept quitting, so there must be some problem, but she said she wasn’t sure what it was and looked upset.

– I’m trying to do well, but it’s not easy… *sob sob*

“Let’s go take a look first. Teacher Inae will go next week if possible, or the week after at the latest.”

Since things were fine until now, maybe there’s some problem person?

Both Im Suchul and I thought so.

– Yes, yes, thank you so much!

When she was with the Haneul Korean Medicine Clinic Network, they hired a consultation manager from their side and handled a considerable portion of the training, she said.

By giving that person a high salary and incentives and leaving everything to them, they handled everything from hiring to managing other staff.

‘So the 14-hour-per-week method was indeed ordered by headquarters…’

After opening as Seongsuhaneui Clinic, she had to handle everything herself, but a manager-level employee provided a lot of help, she said.

It was none other than a friend of Chu Miyoung’s mother, a nurse who had retired after working at a large hospital, who had kept the young staff in line.

And when that person moved away, this trouble began.

‘Anyway, I learned about an area our network was lacking.’

If I hadn’t brought up the staff topic while going to help Jang Jungjae, Chu Miyoung’s confession would have come much later.

In fact, personnel management is as important as, or perhaps more important than, treatment protocols.

Until now, experienced directors had handled things well on their own, but gradually creating manuals together with Seo Inae would be even better.

After setting this policy, our clinic completed preparations for Seo Inae’s business trip over about a week.

I conducted several interviews and hired two people I judged to be a good fit.

Seo Inae completed the handover to fill her absence and then departed for Daegu.

* * *

Director Han Yewon spared no support.

Though I declined, she insisted on arranging hotel accommodation.

She entrusted me with the clinic card to cover transportation costs between Daegu and Busan every weekend, and even breakfast, lunch, and dinner expenses.

Seo Inae could only be grateful for such trust.

Since Doctor Han, such a wonderful person, had entrusted this to her, she absolutely had to succeed.

‘I said it would be interesting, but…’

In truth, the work didn’t look easy at all.

She had become the longest-serving employee and taught new hires whenever they came in.

But this time, she had to adapt to a completely new place.

She hadn’t graduated from university and had only dabbled in various businesses without any decent experience.

Even setting aside whether older employees would accept her or give her a hard time, Director Chu Miyoung herself might not like her.

‘Still, I have to overcome this and show results.’

Because Director Hanyewon said she wanted to use her in a big way.

Even though she seemed easygoing, she wasn’t someone who said such things to just anyone. She must have entrusted this to her because she believed she had the ability to handle it.

Seo Inae headed to Daegu with a determined heart.

“Wow, hello! Manager Seo! It’s been so long. We meet again like this!”

Manager Seo.

Her shoulders trembled slightly at the title.

Director Chu Miyoung welcomed Seo Inae with a bright smile.

She knew her face. Wasn’t she an unforgettably gorgeous beauty?

When she was just starting to grow the clinic with Doctor Han, she had even pushed her to go see Haneul Clinic first.

And somehow Doctor Han had managed to bring her into the network, and they had exchanged greetings when she observed in Busan.

Of course, they hadn’t had much opportunity for deep conversation.

“Thank you for welcoming me. There must be areas where I can help.”

Even if there weren’t any, she’d have to create them. Seo Inae spoke with firm resolve.

“Yes! I think so too. Since you’re someone Doctor Han recommended! There are so many amazing people around the doctor, aren’t there?”

“That’s right. All the doctors are amazing, and the patients too…”

The faces of patients came to mind one by one. From the prince who had visited recently, to conglomerate chairmen, to Melon Soda Horizon. Even the high school student who used to come to the clinic had become a famous professional basketball player, hadn’t he?

What was this about.

Did being next to her make people amazing, or did she attract such people?

Seo Inae smiled without realizing it.

“Let’s work hard so we don’t fall behind either!”

Director Chu Miyoung burst into laughter along with Seo Inae.

“It must have been tiring coming to Daegu. If you have any favorite drinks or snacks, please let me know. I’ll stock them separately. And if there’s anything uncomfortable, please tell me anytime.”

Chu Miyoung suggested they get some refreshments from the break room and go to the examination room.

She had worried about resistance, but at least Director Chu Miyoung was welcoming her, which was fortunate for now.

“Hm?”

But there were too many varieties of drinks and snacks in the break room.

“Does the clinic provide these? Do the staff buy them and put them in the refrigerator?”

“Oh~ Of course the clinic provides them. Originally we only had choco pies and orange juice, but Teacher Yeongseong suggested it, so we diversified!”

…How generous.

She even spotted expensive foreign brand snacks that she had heard about from Gong Nari before.

Since Seo Inae didn’t have such refined tastes, she picked up a chocolate bar commonly found in convenience stores, got water from the dispenser, and entered the director’s office.

“You said there are currently four staff members?”

And she immediately got to work.

She had heard from Doctor Han before departing, but she wanted to confirm Director Chu’s thoughts on each employee’s characteristics and frequent mistakes.

Director Chu wrote down a list and explained each person in detail.

“There have been frequent changes recently, so except for Teacher Yeongseong, everyone has been here for only a few months. This current group has been lasting for over a month now.”

“Ah, so the fact that staff keep quitting has somewhat stabilized?”

“For about a month, yes. But I’m scared someone might suddenly quit again.”

Chu Miyoung trembled, saying she just wanted to stop hiring and get along well now.

“How did they quit? Didn’t anyone voice complaints before leaving?”

“Um… Most of the short-term workers quit without saying anything. There was also someone who fought with Teacher Yeongseong at the clinic and left. Most were ceremonial though. Poor health, or saying the doctor was nice but the clinic didn’t suit them.”

“…There were fights between staff at the clinic?”

It was a scene hard to imagine at Seongsoo Oriental Medicine Clinic Main Branch.

The person who left was gone, but one person was still working at the clinic.

Heo Youngseon, 49 years old.

The oldest among current staff. And with 8 months of service, the longest-serving employee.

“Yes… It was about shift changes. Teacher Yeongseong had said she would take annual leave first, but the other person insisted they absolutely had to rest on the same day.”

“I see. I understand for now. I’ll keep an eye on things while working together.”

“Yes, yes. Please investigate if there are any difficulties. I try to treat them well, but since I’m the director, everyone seems uncomfortable.”

After having that conversation with Director Chu Miyoung.

Director Chu Miyoung called all four staff members to introduce Seo Inae.

Since Director Hanyewon had advised not to mention that she was someone who would only stay for 1-2 months, Director Chu referred to Seo Inae as a manager.

“This is Manager Seo from headquarters. I haven’t been good at training, so there have been frequent mistakes recently, but she’ll help us in various ways.”

“Please take care of us.”

Chu Miyoung humbled herself while praising Seo Inae as much as possible.

Seo Inae bowed somewhat stiffly and then observed the staff’s attitudes.

“Please take care of us~ Manager. Please teach us a lot~.”

Heo Youngseon was the first to approach and offer Seo Inae a handshake.

Unlike her, the three standing behind just snickered.

…This felt cold.

“Nice to meet you. Teacher Heo Youngseon. Teacher Lee Miri, Teacher Kim Juwon, Teacher Choi Semi, please take care of me as well.”

“Yes. Hello.”

The three reluctantly nodded their heads.

“I’ll observe the front desk this morning and the treatment room this afternoon. I’ll help with the work and correct any mistakes if I see them.”

She knew that when a newcomer spoke like this, it wouldn’t sit well with those listening.

However, it was an unavoidable choice to establish hierarchy with people who were nearly twenty years apart in age.

Seo Inae hadn’t come here to get along pleasantly with the staff, but to resolve issues that were problematic for the clinic’s management.

“Ah, correct… Yes…”

Shortly after, work began.

The cheapness she first felt when seeing their faces was in the realm of intuition.

But Seo Inae soon became aware of specific problems.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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