GP Receptionist job adverts

Hatemylife2023 · 2023-04-19T20:57:02+00:00

Hi, It could be just my area but all these part-time GP receptionist ‘we will train you’ jobs are they really legit. I notice this seems to be a very popular job and there seems to be so, so many vacancies. I’ve had Receptionist skills/complaint handling/organising bookings/data protection awareness from other industries which I sort of thought could transfer over and I appreciate it’s a hard job as I really wouldn’t want to work at my own surgery as daft as it sounds. But I am really beginning to wonder if some surgeries just spend the day interviewing and then not take anyone on. 3 weeks ago I had my first interview (there were 3 candidates) which was said to be a scored interview with the surgery using the nhs HR office at my nearest hospital - got call back later that day sorry we can’t offer you the job, fine fair enough, I was a bit stupid I guess not to ask for feedback and always thought it strange as the job first appeared when I was in actual hospital reached its closing date and then reappeared two weeks later which prompted me to reconsider applying, well blow me down tonight I have just seen it reposted. 2 weeks ago I had interview number 2 attempt at a another surgery, Indeed showed around 26 people applied, it was much more of a chat than the first surgery and seemed all good for hearing next day but just never heard anything, I have emailed politely since to follow up but just gone ignored and come to conclusions that I have been unsuccessful. This surgery I noted do like to include the phrase “previous applicants need not apply” in job adverts they do run so I guess that’s me out of the running for future. It’s just so hard, it’s not like you can offer to do a trial day as I imagine that wouldn’t be possible. Whilst none of the above surgeries I could register as a patient at myself I wonder if you maybe have to travel much further afield than your local vicinity. I would welcome any knowledge or insight.

Fleaflyflow · 20/04/2023 08:29

The ads are legit, there can just be a high turnover.
In our surgery we have had people start and not come back after the first week -hence the position being re advertised. We’ve even had people accept, agree the start to date then just ghost us so it needs to be re advertised.

It makes sense for them to put previous applicants need not apply as if they didn’t feel you were what they were looking for the first time, they aren’t going to suddenly decide you are.

2 weeks ago lots of staff were going on holiday for the Easter school break, maybe there is a delay in getting back to you? Rude to not bother at all if you’ve contacted them.

I can’t tell you what they are looking for though, although I know ours always asks for flexibility and you need to be able to start at 7:30am or work until 8:00pm for cover and the occasional Saturday (flu clinics) so if you have said you have fixed days/times you can work it could be that?

Meteormetro · 20/04/2023 08:50

It must be very common to last a week in that job. Having to tell sick people you can't facilitate access to a doctor they've paid for with their taxes. Dreadful job.

Fleaflyflow · 20/04/2023 09:06

Yes of course, being a GP receptionist consists solely of dealing with booking appointments

Daisiesandprimroses · 20/04/2023 09:09

Of course rhey are legit. You can’t seriously think they post fake adverts and then interview for fun.

Musicaltheatremum · 20/04/2023 09:21

We are advertising for receptionists just now and really struggling to get anyone. Frequently people don't turn up for interviews or cancel as they have already got jobs. Lots of other surgeries near us are struggling to recruit. Some people don't stay long either as they think it's an easy job.

Nanatokidsdogshampsters · 20/04/2023 09:26

Gp receptionist job includes
Answering the phone.
Booking appts from walk ins and telephone. For GPS and nurses.
Repeat prescription requests.
Sending messages to the GP re requests from a patient.
Registering new patients. Making sure all information is put correctly on their notes.
Removing patients who have moved surgery. And making sure al paperwork is included.
Scanning all letters and forwarding those that need action to the GP.
Sorting out insurance claim forms. (Holiday cancellations, falls etc)
Arranging for patients to have blood tests etc.
Taking calls from phlebotomy re results that are urgent for the GP to sort.
There are lots of other things they do.
Sometimes you might just might get a drink.
And don't forget the abuse because most people think all you do is the first 2 things.

I'm so glad I've retired now.
A lot of the patients were lovely but some not so.

GremlinCurtains · 20/04/2023 09:32

It can be a truly terrible job where you're criticised from all sides and experience stress every day and extreme abuse from the public and/or highly distressing calls and incidents during their work.

While there's the 'GP receptionist is a dragon' trope readily accepted and used by the public when the person is usually doing what they've been told to do.

I'm a HCP and even though we had reception staff or admin that even I wouldn't want to piss off, they were worth their weight in gold and I completely understood why they were the way they were.

It's very likely they're all legit jobs and it's a result of high turnover because it is not an attractive job.

Tromso · 20/04/2023 10:12

Fleaflyflow · 20/04/2023 09:06

Yes of course, being a GP receptionist consists solely of dealing with booking appointments

No it doesn't. You should probably educate yourself before trying to get involved in conversations like this.

GremlinCurtains · 20/04/2023 10:14

Tromso · 20/04/2023 10:12

No it doesn't. You should probably educate yourself before trying to get involved in conversations like this.

Show quote history

You should understand sarcasm before accusing someone of anything. The poster was clearly being sarcastic, hence putting the MN bun emoji at the end of their post.

Tromso · 20/04/2023 10:17

GremlinCurtains · 20/04/2023 10:14

You should understand sarcasm before accusing someone of anything. The poster was clearly being sarcastic, hence putting the MN bun emoji at the end of their post.

Show quote history

Oh, this is what passes for wit now is it?

Then my apologies to you and your little emoji-wielding friend. I hadn't realised she was trying to be funny.

Nimbostratus100 · 20/04/2023 10:22

Tromso · 20/04/2023 10:17

Oh, this is what passes for wit now is it?

Then my apologies to you and your little emoji-wielding friend. I hadn't realised she was trying to be funny.

Show quote history

It wasn't "wit" or "trying to be funny"

it was a completely clear post indicating total disagreement with the post previous

Nimbostratus100 · 20/04/2023 10:24

"previous applicants need not reapply" can mean they are holding your application still, and you may still be considered. It is often used when the first advert didn't get much response, and any applications that do come in are held on to, and another advert is placed to try and get more applicants, before shortlisting

Gwenhwyfar · 20/04/2023 10:42

"It makes sense for them to put previous applicants need not apply as if they didn’t feel you were what they were looking for the first time, they aren’t going to suddenly decide you are."

That doesn't make sense at all. You don't get a job when you're not their favourite candidate, but you can still be good enough.

Gwenhwyfar · 20/04/2023 10:44

Meteormetro · 20/04/2023 08:50

It must be very common to last a week in that job. Having to tell sick people you can't facilitate access to a doctor they've paid for with their taxes. Dreadful job.

Yep.

TheShellBeach · 20/04/2023 10:56

Tromso · 20/04/2023 10:17

Oh, this is what passes for wit now is it?

Then my apologies to you and your little emoji-wielding friend. I hadn't realised she was trying to be funny.

Show quote history

Well, I did, and I'm generally the last person to see the point of jokes.

Original poster

Hatemylife2023 · 20/04/2023 12:49

Fleaflyflow · 20/04/2023 09:06

Yes of course, being a GP receptionist consists solely of dealing with booking appointments

Sorry if I have caused any offence, I appreciate there is a lot to the job as I get it is part being on a front desk and admin/clinical coding etc which is why I never apply to experienced receptionist wanted.

OP posts:

Original poster

Hatemylife2023 · 20/04/2023 12:51

Nanatokidsdogshampsters · 20/04/2023 09:26

Gp receptionist job includes
Answering the phone.
Booking appts from walk ins and telephone. For GPS and nurses.
Repeat prescription requests.
Sending messages to the GP re requests from a patient.
Registering new patients. Making sure all information is put correctly on their notes.
Removing patients who have moved surgery. And making sure al paperwork is included.
Scanning all letters and forwarding those that need action to the GP.
Sorting out insurance claim forms. (Holiday cancellations, falls etc)
Arranging for patients to have blood tests etc.
Taking calls from phlebotomy re results that are urgent for the GP to sort.
There are lots of other things they do.
Sometimes you might just might get a drink.
And don't forget the abuse because most people think all you do is the first 2 things.

I'm so glad I've retired now.
A lot of the patients were lovely but some not so.

Thank you so much for the insight, really appreciated. Thank you again 🙏

OP posts:

GremlinCurtains · 20/04/2023 14:37

Tromso · 20/04/2023 10:17

Oh, this is what passes for wit now is it?

Then my apologies to you and your little emoji-wielding friend. I hadn't realised she was trying to be funny.

Show quote history

I mean, they're not my friend and I'm not suggesting they're witty. Just explaining very common ways of social communication that are readily accepted and understood by the population. Sarcasm is much harder to express via text which is why MN had to go so far as to add a little bun sign to make it clear to people who didn't get it.

You not having a grip on social communication even when there's a little sign to let you know is no-ones fault but yours. No need for you to be supercilious about it.

thenightsky · 20/04/2023 14:46

Nanatokidsdogshampsters · 20/04/2023 09:26

Gp receptionist job includes
Answering the phone.
Booking appts from walk ins and telephone. For GPS and nurses.
Repeat prescription requests.
Sending messages to the GP re requests from a patient.
Registering new patients. Making sure all information is put correctly on their notes.
Removing patients who have moved surgery. And making sure al paperwork is included.
Scanning all letters and forwarding those that need action to the GP.
Sorting out insurance claim forms. (Holiday cancellations, falls etc)
Arranging for patients to have blood tests etc.
Taking calls from phlebotomy re results that are urgent for the GP to sort.
There are lots of other things they do.
Sometimes you might just might get a drink.
And don't forget the abuse because most people think all you do is the first 2 things.

I'm so glad I've retired now.
A lot of the patients were lovely but some not so.

You missed off: Take 150 messages off the answer phone at 8am, relay them to the appropriate members of staff or deal with yourself, all whilst doing the above list of duties, plus answering more calls at the same time.

Nanatokidsdogshampsters · 20/04/2023 15:33

@thenightsky forgotten that part. I'm sure there are many other things that
need doing urgently that I haven't listed.

Fleaflyflow · 20/04/2023 17:26

Hatemylife2023 · 20/04/2023 12:49

Sorry if I have caused any offence, I appreciate there is a lot to the job as I get it is part being on a front desk and admin/clinical coding etc which is why I never apply to experienced receptionist wanted.

Show quote history

@Hatemylife2023 it was sarcasm. I’m a HCP so I know what the receptionists do and how difficult their job is, I wouldn’t do it for all the money in the world. the biscuit was for the poster implying all they do is answer the phone and refuse to book appointments for people.
it seems my sarcasm was wasted on some but, thankfully, not all the pp.

hazelnutlatte · 20/04/2023 17:29

I work at a GP practice and we are always desperate for receptionists, lots start and then only last a week! If you are not getting through the interviews then I'm afraid you are not coming across as suitable for the role - you need to be kind and compassionate but also hard as nails to do that job well!

Original poster

Hatemylife2023 · 20/04/2023 19:50

hazelnutlatte · 20/04/2023 17:29

I work at a GP practice and we are always desperate for receptionists, lots start and then only last a week! If you are not getting through the interviews then I'm afraid you are not coming across as suitable for the role - you need to be kind and compassionate but also hard as nails to do that job well!

Ah right, my family did want me to leave my walking stick at home for last interview saying they might think your a bit weak etc, so I think you've a point then as I'm probably to much of a softie or and as my family thoughts that the patient may use my own visible disability against me. I did wonder how bad it looked at one of my interviews when a patient of many years senior was holding the doors open as I was behind them; thinking you'll soon be calling me the old dragon!

My rational was its a hard job but all the vacancies I'd seen round this way are of a part-time nature (with occasional pick up of extra hours covering holidays and sickness) so that would be less pressure than a full-time role and so I can't really understand why people bulk after 1 week when there is not the pressure of FT.

I did apply for another role at what is my own surgery's 'direct competitor' and even they have brought their closing date forward a week so I might just call it quits and accept that its a job a lot of people are after around here.

Thanks to everyone for commenting.

OP posts: