To ask if I should take the job.. doctor receptionist

[EyUpThereLass]

I currently work in a busy cafe. It's all day Friday and all day Sunday. I have 2 young children so miss every Sunday with them.
I've posted lately about things I'm not happy about in the cafe too like them making loads of others team leader but not me, cutting my hours and not others with no explanation.

I got an interview for a doctors receptionist, didn't think I'd get it - but I did. The hours are 1 evening and 2 mornings a week. So it's slightly less hours and is £10.42 an hour.

Would you take it? Or do you think I'd be better where I am?

Take it. Definitely. Sounds like you need a change and you’d get your Sundays back.

Take it - you get to see your kids more, there might be more hours in the future and it will be great on your CV if you want to move into admin roles one day - which are better paid that hospitality. Plus more places to go - a friend started as a doctors receptionist six years ago - she is now practice manager

Another vote for taking it. If you don't enjoy it, you'll easily find another job in hospitality but reception roles harder to come by. It will look good on a CV - GDPR etc - and the time will fly by. The only harder part might be surly patients if kept on hold me or frustrated by appointment times/hoops also me but any front-facing role has the odd bolshy customer.
I'd love that role.

Take it. I’m assuming you can get a Blue Light and NHS staff card for money off stuff. Can you get an NHS pension ?

Take it. But be prepared for it to be the toughest job you'll ever have. I say this as someone who did the role and it was bloody hard work!

I would take it. There will be opportunities for extra hours to cover annual leave and sickness. It will give you the option to learn whatever system is used in your area and I have found that a lot of surgeries recruit from within so if an admin role becomes available you could be offered a role with more hours and a possible pay increase.

Yep take it. I'm certain there'll be extra hours available, and it'll be a great doorway to other jobs in a variety of different settings.

Don’t do it! No, seriously, take it. It’s a very steep learning curve but I really enjoy it. If you wanted to pursue, it could also be a good career path.
Incredibly challenging at times (I make it my mission to absolutely murder the stroppy ones with kindness) but it will give you a fantastic insight into the human condition and can be very rewarding - and fun if you work with a good, supportive team.
I divide my time between admin and reception and am learning clinical coding too.
You are also entailed to NHS pension. Ok, the pay is not great but you pay 6% and your employer pays 14% - which is well worth having.

Of course you should? Why wouldn’t you take it! Seems a no brainier to me.

I would advise you double check the terms and conditions because if it’s a GP service they don’t have the same conditions as hospitals. So you might not get an NHS pension, leave allowance, ETC

Take the job, nothing to use. Remember it’s a customer service job and use the skills you already have! Lots of opportunities for development

I've been a doctors receptionist (care navigator? For 15 months and I love it! Time flies as you're always super busy amd honestly 95% of the patients are lovely.

Take it. You’ll have your weekends back and public holidays. The only downside is rude patients but you’ll be used to people with an attitude working in hospitality.

I work as a medical receptionist. I come from a totally different back ground. It's hardwork but I absolutely love it. I get to see my kids every weekend and put them to bed every single night. It was the best move I've ever made.

Of course all NHS can sign up for the pension amd are entitled to leave!

Take it. It’s the best job I’ve ever had, I genuinely love what I do. Yes I get stroppy patients daily, but I also have lovely ones, and the feeling of helping someone gives me more job satisfaction than any other job I’ve ever done.

I’m pretty sure all GP practices are obliged to sign their employees up to the NHS pension scheme.

We’re entitled to an NHS pension regardless of it being a GP surgery. The blue light card is a bonus too 🙂

Sorry to be clear - of course you are entitled to leave and will get a pension, but it will not necessarily be at the rate that staff at hospitals get. I work for a GP surgery and I don’t get the same level of pension or the same pay scales or leave days as those who do the jobs at the local hospital. Primary Care and Secondary care are run differently.

This is not to say do not take the job, it is very rewarding and if you can deal with bad customers in hospitality you can certainly deal with the worst patients.

As a former GP Receptionist I say go for it. I only left as I got a job in a school with term time hours.

It's an incredibly tough job and you need to be able to not take things to heart, but it's a great job to do

If you can do the same as the lovely receptionists at our local GP surgery you won't be going wrong. They certainly seem to be enjoying their jobs.

Aww thank you all! I've got a trial next week and as long as I don't find it too horrendous I'm pretty sure I will take it

OP, you would be crazy not to take the job.

The NHS pension is marvellous - it’s a defined benefit pension. (This means that the rate of employee/employer contributions is meaningless, arbitrary really.)

Take it and once you've passed probation let them know you're interested in more hours if they come up

Go for it! It’s fast paced and hard but most people are lovely and staff go into health to make a difference. You will also get more time with your children.
it will be hard - reception is the hardest job in the practice ! (From a GP)