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GP Receptionist

6 replies

tiersta · 08/10/2023 23:47

Are you or have you been?

Any tips?

I appreciate the necessity for thick skin ✔

OP posts:
PinkiOcelot · 09/10/2023 17:38

I have been a medical receptionist years ago. It’s a thankless task tbh. A tonne load of shit for crap wages. Also a crappy reputation too.

gillywee · 09/10/2023 17:51

Is it the local surgery to you? If so, be prepared for some friends/acquaintances/school mums jumping ship to another surgery.

I'm not saying you're a gossip I obviously don't know you but similar happened around here and quite a lot of people hated the idea of someone they knew "being in the know" so switched.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 09/10/2023 17:58

It's usually a busy and stressful job.i did it for 7 years.Its more than answering the phone and checking people in.
I enjoyed helping people but some were awful if they didn't get exactly what they wanted.

afaloren · 09/10/2023 18:13

I think a lot of it depends on the surgery’s system. When I did it there were barely any appointments available and they could only be booked on the day so I took loads of abuse from irate patients but if there’s a better system with e.g. e-consult it may not be so bad.

Oldthyme · 09/10/2023 18:37

Sadly I’m afraid I can only speak about my negative experiences. I hope I don’t put you off but I had a hard time in my receptionist role and later in medical secretariat.

Years ago I did it at a large practice but found the people I worked with absolutely toxic. They took bitching and a degree of subtle bullying to another level and all vied to be Doctors’ favourite. The practice manager took turns for who to pick on next and it was like being on their rota of hate.

Eventually I’d had enough so for my mental health, had to leave.

Later, I worked in a role where I had to visit GP practices all over the UK. I never, in all the years I did that role, come across a happy practice. All staff seemed under pressure, stressed, and unhappy. It was soul destroying.

The positives were the lovely patients and generally kind but weak Doctors. The latter were “bury head in sand” types. They have Managers to sort out staff and in my experience don’t get involved in staffing issues. Fair enough.

I’d say it is a stressful job but if you can lift your head and greet every patient at the desk with a smile, whatever you are feeling, you will win hearts and minds. Just don’t stick at it if the practice is unhappy because believe me, it probably won’t get any better.

Guttedme · 09/10/2023 20:16

I've had 4 jobs interviews for this type of role over this year. None of them asked the same questions at the interview. Including the practice, I'm a patient who accepted my application.

The latest was a practice 20 minutes from where I am (my, how the other half only in the next town have it) and I would say more a health centre actually - they were after a call taker/receptionist. The questions they threw really made me think, not the standard. It wasn't for £10.42 per hour either.

I came close to getting to be a Receptionist in a private hospital but had to give up my second interview which I kind of deeply regret. That was part Receptionist / Switchboard Operator as they liked to give the staff a break from the front desk during the day from what I remember.

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