Would two 12-hour GP receptionist shifts a week be manageable

[Team187]

Do you think working 8-8 as a GP receptionist 2 days a week would be manageable (this shift pattern obviously includes breaks)? This seems preferable to working 5 days a week for 5 hours a day, but I wonder if anyone with experience of the role would suggest otherwise.

I can add up perfectly when I am sober btw. Good luck.

Well that's good, about time they both learned to cook for you.

I work in an admin nhs. Our office is open 7-7. I have done 12 hour shift and tbh it was horrible. I’ve done a few when we were short staffed and wouldn’t do again. I don’t work more than 9 hr shifts now

nope. Legally it’s 20 mins unpaid for any shift lasting more than 6 hours. That’s it.

I’m amazed any gp receptions are open for 12 hours.
Let alone answer a phone…..

At our surgery, the phone lines are 8-6 but reception is open until 8 and GP appointments until 7.30.

If you’re currently a teacher I imagine you’re used to dealing with difficult parents/students? This sounds like a great fit for your skills.

I’m a GP receptionist. Being on the phones/front desk can be relentless but we usually have a mix of that and putting prescriptions through, doing registrations and other admin work behind the scenes..
Some patients wind us all up as they have unrealistic expectations, but that’s balanced by the genuinely lovely ones who are grateful that we go above and beyond to find them an appointment.
We get the odd one who swears and I just say I’m not paid enough to be sworn at and if you continue I’ll terminate the call. Yes, the pay is rubbish for a responsible job.
I do 3.5 hours a day - plus usually several
hours of overtime a week - Monday to Friday. Having health conditions means shorter hours suit me but if I was healthy I wouldn’t mind two long shifts, knackering though they would be
I also live five mins from work and the disadvantage is you bump into patients everywhere! I have neighbours who are patients and you just have to mindful of confidentially.
But yes, it’s a varied and interesting job and our reception team is close knit. We have each others backs. Most of us are in our 50s and that maturity and life experience is a definite bonus.

2 x 12 is 24. HTH.

I’ve worked 5 x 12hrs days 7-7 before so 2 x 12hr days sounds fine

rest of week off and hopefully no weekends. As not usually open

sure dh can cook - if not he can learn to

I've had many GOP surguries in my life, but I have never come across one open 12 hours a day.

Mine is
appointments 8-6 then 6-8 evening appointments
also weekend mornings

So it's open 8-8 then?