Image: VOLKER Weihbold
“At the end of the day we make sure together that the operational business is running. But the boss is my husband.” Not only in many companies does the owner need the active support of his wife, the doctor Johanna Rachinger works as medical director in the CT and MRT institute of her husband Ebrahim Rachinger in Linz.
With five doctors and a total of 30 employees, the two run a medium-sized company in which around 200 patients are cared for on busy days.
The number of patients has risen sharply in recent years, and with it the workload. “That means our employees are used to being friendly in stressful situations.” The general shortage of staff also means “even more planning and structure” for the ordination.
In order for this to work, it is important that the working atmosphere is right and communication is good. “You have to have an open ear for the problems of the employees.” Childcare is often a concern. “We know that, we are working parents ourselves.”
The former senior physician at the Neuromed campus joined the surgery and the private hospital she had just taken over in 2010. At that time, two doctors were employed and the two children were six and eight years old.
With opening hours from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday until 3 p.m., the days are long. “We’re there at half past six, and of course the ordination deadline doesn’t mean that the work is done,” says Rachinger. Findings are also carried out in the office at home.
Holidays are also never completely carefree, “as a self-employed person you never switch off”. Nevertheless, the job has never lost its appeal: “The medical field is incredibly interesting, we cover all diseases and are an important building block in the medical chain.”
In her limited free time, the 52-year-old recharges her batteries by cooking and occasionally going to the theater and cinema.
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