Dodged A Bullet

[Dizmo]

As you who know me are aware that I applied for a receptionist job at our local doctors and was told I am not suitable for the position.

I've just had a phone call from my mother asking "If I walk into the doctors at about 2pm will I be able to get an appointment for tonight". I know there is more chance of platting snuff than her getting an appointment tonight. So I've asked her what it's regarding and well due to the fact she is in public and there are service users present she was unable to communicate properly. I've managed to guess what it is and I've rung the doctors for an appointment on her behalf.

The woman on the end of the phone was horrible towards me. I tried to explain to her that I only have limited information but she really does need an appointment tonight. The nurse on the phone told me to "slow down" and that I'm getting "irate". I didn't say anything wrong. I got a little frustrated and even apologised for upsetting her - god knows why because I was polite enough.

So not working there has probably done me a favour.

[Bazile]

Your'e certainly having a hard time coming to terms , that you have not been given this receptionist job , aren't you ?

[trt]

So what's the question?

[Dizmo]

No I'm actually glad I wasn't given it. I can't work with people like that. I assume that if they class it as an emergency then my mum should just stop work and run along to the doctors or hospital. She has to work, she can't just go off on her jollies and sit in the doctors for hours. Dinnington GP was rated one of the worst in the country at one point, I don't understand how they can get away with it.

[jno]

receptionists do get snotty, especially doctors' receptionists. I don't know why, maybe they just don't like sick people. ANyway, you did the right thing, kept calm.

[Dizmo]

No question, just a rant. Ignore me. I'm going anyway, I'm only winding myself up.

[jno]

trt, this is Chatterbank, yah?

[Bazile]

jno - there are exceptions .

I happened to pop into my GP surgery this morning and while waiting my turn , observed how extremely friendly , pleasant and caring the lady receptionist was , as she dealt with the patients - myself included .

I left feeling better than before i went in - and i only went in to pick up a prescription

[jacklee]

Hi Dizmo
Sorry to read of your disappointment.
Really want to ask if your Dinnington is in Northumberland?
Used to live in North Gosforth - opposite Hazelrigg Road
Hope you soon find a job

[sherrardk]

I always though GP receptionists were a bit off hand but when I was there when himself was I'll (and u was crying) the lady was so lovely to me. Maybe they can't afford to display empathy to all the sick people they encounter all day long, maybe it's a defence mechanism?

[bednobs]

it seems rather unlikely you were talking to a nurse of the phone dizmo unless you had been put throught to one - nurses tend to be actually working with patients rather than answering reception calls.

[jno]

Bazile, yes, there are good and bad. My own experience is that there are more bad in this profession than in the population at large, statistically speaking, and that they generally see themselves as serving the doctor rather than the patients.

[andy-hughes]

The main problem for receptionists is that they deal with ill people, or the relatives of ill people all the time.

This calls for great reserves of tact, patience, humanity, sympathy, and empathy - most if not all of which a lot of receptionists either never had, or if they did, it has been worn down by the nature of the job they do.

Therefore, when you ring up for the first time, you are the nth person that day who is poorly, short-tempered, worried, frustrated, or just generally cheesed off.

This makes interaction difficutl.

An ideal solution would be to ask at the interview if the interviewee has really thought in depth about the type of calls they will get all day every day, and if they are up to being as polite and patient as they can from the first to the last.

99% - if they are honest - do not have those skills, and should not get the job - but of course, they do.

[boxtops]

Receptionists at GP practices in this area have a lot of training available to them in customer service, negotiating, dealing with difficult patients - but in the hurly burly of constant calls for appointments, it's not surprising if they get overlooked sometimes. I can understand no appointment being available by 2pm, that's not the way any surgery works. If dizmo's mum can't wait until tomorrow, she should go to her local walk-in centre.

[anneasquith]

your mother and you could change gp's if you are unhappy with the service,

[Prudie]

I agree with jno. there are above the average of snotty disdainful receptionists than in the general population. My surgery is in a reasonably quiet country town so they've not been worn down by inner city pressures. On the few times I've gone there the women without fail don't look up from their desk/screen until they're ready and then look at me in an almost threatening way. I have to say that once I start speaking in what most would call a posh voice their attitude changes completely. It's almost the worst part of a doctor's appointment.

[Peter Pedant]

Docs, Bloom St - receptionists are really good and helpful

Dr Haq - Droylsden Rd., Newtn Heath are good as well.

Have you tried A+E receptionists ? Hullo - I understand the Haematology ward rang and told you to expect me.
No we are expecting no one
Oh, that's odd Haem said they would ring you
Oh they did.
And you arent expecting me ?

Since I had a temp of 38.5 and no neutrophils - perhaps they were thinking I would die on the way.

[THECORBYLOON]

Were you telt why you were not suitable?

[Dizmo]

// corby think its patently obvious don't you? can you imagine trying to tell him what's wrong with you so you can get a slot with the doc? It would be all me me me. ha ha nightmare mate // ?

[Zacs-Master]

Norwegian Blue?