FAO p1umpudding pls or anyone that has trained with pitman....

[Lozza83]

Hi p1umpudding

I hope that you don't mind me singling you out but i am desperate need of a few answers. I noticed that you have done a course with Pitman on med sec. Can you just tell me whether you thought it was worth it, how much time did it actually take to do and did you go into a good job from there?

My email is [email protected]

I would be so GRATEFUL to hear from you as this is such a big decision i am trying to make. As you know pitman are expensive and i none of my local colleges offer this course.

Thanks loads for reading
Kind Regards
Lauren x

lauren - and - [email protected]

Hi Lauren

Couldn't get your email address to work!

In short, the education I received was for a Medical Secretarial Course. My background is in HR and I wanted to work in HR for the NHS. The NHS has a policy of recruiting with a min of 6 mths NHS experience, so I temped as a PA after getting this qualification before going into Medical Staffing.

The training was basic and straight forward. You get tapes to listen to as you work through a computer programme (very similar to working through a work book, but online). You work at your own space and can stop. go back if you wish. There's always someone on hand to help if you don't understand something. At the end of each tape, you have an exercise to complete and the end of the course, you get your certificate.

For me, it was a means to an end. I got a job straight away in the NHS and after 6 months I moved straight into HR. I also have a degree and plenty of experience though.

What sort of Pitmans course were you thinking of doing? Working in HR, perhaps I could suggest a few alternatives if you let me know what you're training for.

Best wishes

Plum

Hi Plum,

Thanks so much, I was thinking of the medical secretary diploma but its too much money (£4000) so now i have resorted to doing an ICT and secretary course at my local college (which starts in September for a yr) then next year once i have my computer skills maybe doing the introduction to medical secretary course with pitman which is £700. I've really got my heart on this i just think it's gonna take a bit longer than i had planned.

Thanks again for your reply
Lauren xxx

The £700 Intro to Medical Secretary is the one that I did. You can start the course straight away as you work at your own pace.

You already know how to use a PC - you're on Mumsnet! There's not much else to it! The NHS have one day courses on how to use Word and Excel and they're free . Going to college for a year is commendable, but I'm not sure what you hope to gain from it overall. It will cost you and will be another year out of work and you still won't have the qualification that you want/ need. I suggest that if you're keen on being a Medical Secretary, do the Pitmans' Introductory Course. Call your local hospital and get temp work on 'The Bank'. The Bank are temp staff in the NHS. Have an informal chat with them and they should be able to offer some admin work before while you gain your qualification.

hope this helps, x