GP receptionist trial

[RIRO25]

Hey everyone
I had an interview yesterday for GP receptionist and have now been invited for a 2 hour trial shift this Thursday.
Has anyone on her worked the same job and can share what I’m likely to expect
thank you! ☺️

I was a GP for 32 years and met many many receptionists. Most likely you'll sit with one of the current staff and see how they manage answering the phones and booking appointments. It's an incredibly varied role and over the years I've had to reassure new staff that no question to other team members (including the doctors) is stupid and that the learning curve in the first couple of months is exponential. I worked with some wonderful staff over the years and loved watching them grow. We had one lady who started as a receptionist then did phlebotomy then did her nursing degree, others have become health care assistants. It's an amazing role with so many opportunities and without you we GPs couldn't function. Good luck and enjoy!

That’s a lovely, supportive and encouraging message!

good luck for your trial OP

Thought you meant a GP receptionist was on trial in court for…never answering the phone? Giving out unsolicited medical advice?

I thought the same 🤣

I’ve just retired about about six years as a GP receptionist. They’ll be looking for someone with a can do attitude, flexibility around shifts to covers when colleagues are off, friendly, professional, with the ability to prioritise work and to get on with colleagues at all levels. There will be mandatory training in data protection, CPR, Oliver McGowan, safeguarding both adults and children etc.
Most surgeries have now moved across to a triage system where patients complete an online form with their inquiry or symptoms and a GP will decide if they need a same day, within seven days, or seven days plus appointment, or if it’s suitable to be seen by a physio, pharmacist etc. You don’t need medical knowledge as such but common sense will tell you that a patient who doesn’t want to make a fuss but has sudden onset of chest pain for example needs to be flagged up.
A typical day might consist of working with the GP who is triaging, answering the phone ganging on the front desk, putting prescription requests through to the GPs to be signed off, other admin tasks such as messages from the doctors or nurses asking you to book follow ups, doing patient registrations etc. Some colleagues had responsibility for booking baby immunisations and counselling appointments, several were trained as chaperones etc.
It’s a far more complex job than people realise, and it’s interesting and varied, but it’s galling that it’s badly paid.
Good luck!