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Post by pumpkin on Aug 12, 2023 7:54:42 GMT -5
Shout out to our newest ALJs - you just completed your first two weeks of being judgy.
First impressions? Surprises? Still happy you said "yes" to the call?
Get some rest this weekend.
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Post by rmspringfield on Aug 12, 2023 10:39:17 GMT -5
For me I'm chomping at the bit ready to get back in the hearing room and questioning the witnesses and making the decisions.
But at the same time I'm kind of dizzy from learning all the internal procedures and resolving the computer issues and figuring out when I'm supposed to be where and which manager does what. That would be true with any new job so that will sort itself out.
I am very impressed with the ALJ Training Mods. They're like cliff's notes versions of all the big issues complete with hyperlinks to everything relevant. I've been saving those. God I wish I had those in private practice.
Although watching the VODS... The VODS can be helpful. Or they can be death by powerpoint. Combined with rapid fire acronyms that may or may not be explained. And your HOCALJs and SAAs and LDWs and HODs trying to be actors.... and the animated videos with the characters who have to do the same gesticulations over and over and over again like they're doing a dance....it gets entertaining in its own right.
Especially since the first week we had to be in the office but most everyone else was teleworking. Here I was. trapped in an empty office building. Forced by an unknown management to watch cheesy videos I have no control over....Oh my gosh I have died and gone to Mystery Science Theater 3000!
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Post by seesaw on Aug 12, 2023 14:28:02 GMT -5
Thanks, pumpkin! I am soooooo happy that I said yes!! Our office is full of incredibly kind, helpful, and wise people. I feel like I'm in such good hands. With that said, there is no doubt that I am presently drowning in all the information. As an outsider, I am learning the policies, rules and regulations, and expectations and trying to digest it with all the acronyms. But nevermind that. I am so grateful for the opportunity!! |
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Post by jagvet on Aug 13, 2023 18:10:17 GMT -5
Don't worry about memorizing the acronyms and exactly who does what. It changes all the time anyway. Since you are nonsupervisory, enjoy being ignorant of the difference between a Group Sup, SAA, DW, and on and on. They're just Mary who helps with scheduling, Tom who works on my cases, Fred who runs the office (that's actually a HOD), and Judge X (that's the HOCALJ who is nominally in charge). Get to know "the computer guy/gal." That person is indispensable to your sanity, and I am not exaggerating!
I hate the "Clutch Cargo" cartoon VODs. If you don't know the reference, Google it, youngster. I have found that riding my exercise bike while watching those type of VODs is the only way I can stay awake. Also, here's a practice tip. Ignore the regulatory references, because attempting to follow them will keep you from following the lesson. You'll do better searching them on-line. Here's a reference string I just copied from an SSR (Social Security regulation). First one to guess what they're about (or cheat by looking them up) wins.
Citations (Authority): Sections 216(i), 223(d), 223(f), 1614(a), and 1614(c) of the Act, as amended; Regulations No. 4, subpart P, sections 404.1502, 404.1509, 404.1512, 404.1513, 404.1520, 404.1521-404.1523, 404.1525, 404.1526, 404.1529, 404.1545, 404.1546, 404.1560-404.1569a, 404.1594 and appendices 1 and 2; Regulations No. 16, subpart I, sections 416.902, 416.909, 416.912, 416.913, 416.920, 416.921-416.923, 416.924, 416.924a, 416.925, 416.926, 416.926a, 416.929, 416.945, 416.946, 416.960-416.969a, 416.987, 416.994, and 416.994a.
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Post by rmspringfield on Aug 13, 2023 20:55:23 GMT -5
SSR 03-1p: Titles II and XVI: Development and Evaluation of Disability Claims Involving Postpolio Sequelae.
I’ll admit I totally Googled that. Some of those referred to definition of severe medically determinable impairment. When I saw reference to a subpart P I thought maybe in reference to the Grids but I wasn’t sure it was referencing the right subpart P of the right appendix.
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Post by Gaidin on Aug 14, 2023 10:11:27 GMT -5
As you all are settling in and beginning to give your hearing schedules remember that there are two Mondays off in January and adjust your schedules to reflect them.
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Post by jagvet on Aug 14, 2023 11:21:13 GMT -5
SSR 03-1p: Titles II and XVI: Development and Evaluation of Disability Claims Involving Postpolio Sequelae. I’ll admit I totally Googled that. Some of those referred to definition of severe medically determinable impairment. When I saw reference to a subpart P I thought maybe in reference to the Grids but I wasn’t sure it was referencing the right subpart P of the right appendix. Good guess, but not correct (although maybe the reference strings are phony anyway and just cut and pasted to look impressive). There's no real prize, except the satisfaction of knowing that the winner is correct. Here's a hint, new ALJs: It's connected to avoirdupois. |
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Post by FrogEsq on Aug 14, 2023 11:22:03 GMT -5
As you all are settling in and beginning to give your hearing schedules remember that there are two Mondays off in January and adjust your schedules to reflect them.
Gets right to the important things, doesn't he?  |
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Post by FrogEsq on Aug 14, 2023 11:24:10 GMT -5
SSR 03-1p: Titles II and XVI: Development and Evaluation of Disability Claims Involving Postpolio Sequelae. I’ll admit I totally Googled that. Some of those referred to definition of severe medically determinable impairment. When I saw reference to a subpart P I thought maybe in reference to the Grids but I wasn’t sure it was referencing the right subpart P of the right appendix. Good guess, but not correct (although maybe the reference strings are phony anyway and just cut and pasted to look impressive). There's no real prize, except the satisfaction of knowing that the winner is correct. Here's a hint, new ALJs: It's connected to avoirdupois. Stop sending the newbie on snipe hunts! LOL |
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Post by jagvet on Aug 14, 2023 11:24:31 GMT -5
As you all are settling in and beginning to give your hearing schedules remember that there are two Mondays off in January and adjust your schedules to reflect them.
Gets right to the important things, doesn't he? @gaidin is the best! |
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Post by jagvet on Aug 14, 2023 11:26:20 GMT -5
Good guess, but not correct (although maybe the reference strings are phony anyway and just cut and pasted to look impressive). There's no real prize, except the satisfaction of knowing that the winner is correct. Here's a hint, new ALJs: It's connected to avoirdupois. Stop sending the newbie on snipe hunts! LOL Hokay, BorIS! |
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Post by fowlfinder on Aug 14, 2023 16:14:42 GMT -5
It does feel a bit like death by alphabet soup, but I agree with rmspringfield that the written module training is excellent. I wish I'd had something of that quality in private practice. Anyone who had a hand in developing the modules should feel very good about their work.
That said, part of me is also ready to just get working, though I know I will have many years to do that and I should focus on the process.
I'm also impressed by the staff in my hearing office and I am glad to be in the office I am, though it required a big change for me andy family.
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Post by hopefalj on Aug 14, 2023 20:04:57 GMT -5
I didn’t even consider how insane it would be to train in an office by yourself. That’s pretty lame, but hopefully the live training will make up for it. Like John McClane once said to Sgt. Al Powell…
“Welcome to the party, pal.”
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Post by arkstfan on Aug 15, 2023 5:36:22 GMT -5
Office of Central Operations has a textbook length web page of acronyms that can be helpful(ish) but unfortunately doesn’t contain some OHO specific acronyms. You should be able to search SSA acronyms on the intranet to find it.
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Post by arkstfan on Aug 15, 2023 5:43:29 GMT -5
It’s been almost a decade and a half since my training and I’d been with the agency a few years so lot of the early stuff was tedious but I thought the training group then was really good.
Glad to hear positive things about it still.
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Post by Ortolan bunting on Aug 15, 2023 11:20:51 GMT -5
As an "insider" I am surprised at how different this job feels versus what I thought it would feel like/be like. I don't think this is a bad thing, I am very excited, just a lot to consider and take into account with this job.
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Post by rmspringfield on Aug 15, 2023 16:02:48 GMT -5
One thing I do have to say about this small class of 33 hires. Their resumes are impressive. Definitely a very elite cadre hired this go around. When I got FOADed in 2013 and 2016 I was like “Damn it. Why won’t they hire me?” Today I’m like “Damn, how did they manage to hire me?”
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Post by garlow on Aug 15, 2023 19:25:53 GMT -5
As you all are settling in and beginning to give your hearing schedules remember that there are two Mondays off in January and adjust your schedules to reflect them. how so? I would assume if they ask for 25 or 35 whatever hearing slots, you have to provide those on actual work days even if it means altering your schedule, so "days off" are academic as they don't proportionally reduce your workload, just the days you have to do it |
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Post by Maria C. on Aug 16, 2023 6:00:53 GMT -5
Here’s a perspective from a former Fed but total SSA outsider …
Honestly my head is spinning from trying to absorb as much as I can. I echo what was previously said- the resumes for this group of ALJ’s are extremely impressive and I feel like i’m back at law school looking around wondering if anyone else is as lost as I am right now? My group includes new ALJ’s that are spitting out questions related to very technical areas of the law and i’m still trying to remember the 5 Steps of the Sequential Evaluation. 😅
My initial impression is “holy wow SSA has a module, link, or training VOD for everything possible…”. and i definitely intend to take full advantage of that. This training/onboarding is unlike anything I have experienced at my prior two Federal Agencies.
I’m slowly adjusting to a new city, a new work culture and a new area of law and administrative procedure. My first few weeks have been filled with a bit of technical/computer issues resulting in the issuance of a new computer yesterday. However, everyone has been so welcoming and I have NO regrets at all.
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Post by Gaidin on Aug 16, 2023 15:25:37 GMT -5
As you all are settling in and beginning to give your hearing schedules remember that there are two Mondays off in January and adjust your schedules to reflect them. how so? I would assume if they ask for 25 or 35 whatever hearing slots, you have to provide those on actual work days even if it means altering your schedule, so "days off" are academic as they don't proportionally reduce your workload, just the days you have to do it So let's use MLK day as an example. If you like many judges have hearings on Tuesday and Thursday with the intent to use Monday to prepare for hearings now you can't prepare on Monday. You can work on the long weekend or work it in the Friday before but both of those solutions create stress. The goal here is to avoid unnecessary stress. Options that don't create additional stress include not having hearing on Tuesday, scheduling Tuesday hearings for Friday that week, starting late on Tuesday so that you can prep in the morning, etc. Your hearing calendar is yours to control within the confines of the contract. You should avoid unnecessary stress in your calendar because there will be more than enough necessary stress. One important thing to keep in mind is the goal is approximately 600 hearings a fiscal year. So don't focus on how many hearings you get in a specific month and instead focus on working towards the total number of hearings necessary for you to meet your goals. |
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