medical receptionist??

[SeppyM]

Hi all,

Im looking at going back to work part time after have my DD 6 months ago. I am a registered nurse, but doubt i am going to return to the field mostly due to shift work... i don't feel its condusive with having a young family (just the way i feel, i know it works well for other ppl).

So I'm looking at being a medical receptionist/secretary in a hospital environment or clinic. Having a quick look on Seek i found there were quite a few part-time & weekday job oppurtunities. I was wondering if anyone else is in this line of work, and if so your thoughts/opinions? Would i need any traning being an RN (as i guess i would have some background knowledge)? Would i likely be hired given i have no experience in reception/secretarial work?

TIA xx

[Floweryfields]

Do you promise to be a nice doctors receptionist? I am yet to meet one!

To answer more seriously - the doctor's receptionists at my local practice are, by majority, unqualfied as anything. 3 of the 4 are not nurses, 1, the practice manager is.

[PinkPalace]

hi
i think if you can get your foot in the door you will be fine.
mostly is is knowing the pbs codes and computers systems.
but you will find that most doctors will be happy to train the right person.

i am an Rn also, but looked into the receptionist line - but have found casual shifts better for money and flexibility.

also a lot of retired nurses go into receptionist roles which they have had enough of clinical.

[LuluHB]

If you are going to go down this road for your career oh please please please learn how to mark patients off as actually having arrived for their appointment so they are not sitting there over one #(*&#9#**($$ hour later with the doctor not even knowing you've arrived!!!!

My mum was a medical you name it for years. She has incredible admin skills which is probably why she ran the place wherever she was. She also ran a training school thingo for medical receptionists a million years ago - learning the language etc which you would obviously already know. Knowledge of computers would be a benefit for you, but software will be very specific for medical admin so not likely you would have come across it in your nursing roles but I would imagine easy enough to pick up. I've used heaps of different legal software over the years and so long as you're not completely computer illiterate you pick them up quickly.

I know Mum worked pretty long hours most of the time but as she got older she was able to still be the practice manager but have more flexible hours, 4 day weeks etc. I certainly know a lot of the other staff along the way worked hours that fitted well with school hours etc. I would imagine your experience in nursing would outweigh any lack of admin experience you would have, especially if you presented as enthusiastic and cheerful.