Job search dilemma

Job search dilemma

So I got a promotion to a new position about four months ago. I moved from being the unit clerk of an inpatient unit of a major university hospital to the scheduler for one of the ambulatory specialty clinics. Before that, I worked in administrative support at an academic program.

Suffice it to say the position and culture of the new clinic were not as advertised. So I decided that probation worked both ways and started looking for a new job (after discussing it with the new manager without getting too specific or negative). Honestly, the new clinic is a mess managerially, and I was expected to run the front desk one morning when the person who usually runs it was out and the person that generally fills in called out sick. This was with no formal training and only having scheduling experience and inpatient experience, not front desk ambulatory experience.

Being a union position (as were both of my former positions), I have a right to ask for a reversion to my old job OR a similar one if they've already filled it (which, of course, they have) within the first five months. That will be February 5th, so there's a ticking clock. Also, my manager told me yesterday that they are preparing to make an offer to a potential replacement, so that's another ticking clock.

I've been applying and interviewing to get a new position first without HR/union having to step in on my behalf. I've been interviewing since early December and have been ghosted by at least two jobs similar to my old one after the interview.

I recently interviewed for a job with the School of Medicine as a program coordinator for medical student programs and was offered the position yesterday. They want a response by Wednesday. This is the position that I least prefer of the three still on the board.

I also recently finished interviewing for a remote Patient Account Representative position. This would involve going through the post-appointment billing process and fighting for coverage with insurance companies. They told me today they are just wrapping up interviews and will get back to me within the next couple of weeks. They are hiring for multiple positions, so there's at least a chance there.

I was recently invited to interview with the university's title nine compliance office next week for a higher professional staff position (no more union protection). This position would be a significant step up and have a hybrid schedule. The interview is a big 90-minute affair at the end of next week. After talking with the potential manager this week, the drawback is that it is a newly created position meant to take on a few different tasks from other administrators. I have not had the most positive experiences taking on newly created positions.

The good news is all these jobs are a step up from where I am now. They will all represent a pay bump.

On top of this, there is the complexity that I started grad school last fall for a Masters in Health Informatics and Health Information Management. It's part-time and primarily virtual but requires all-day class sessions on one Thursday and Friday a month. I have not discussed this with the manager who made me the offer yesterday, but I feel it's my right to take vacation time that I have been given when I need to, and it shouldn't be a problem (it wasn't with my current position). The medical billing position fits best to progress into a job using that degree when I graduate.

Here's my dilemma: Do I turn down the offer and roll the dice? Can I accept the position and then gracefully decline if I get offered one of the other positions? Unfortunately, the timeline for waiting on the other two positions pushes me past the window where HR will help me find a job like my old one.

I would greatly appreciate any advice on how to move forward. I'm at a loss here.