When I was a dental nurse I used to look on in envy at the receptionists sipping tea or maybe looking through a clothes catalogue in a leisurely manner. What a life I used to grumble to the dentist as I was dashing around stocking up the surgery, getting xrays developed, getting patients into the surgery, clearing up and sterilizing and bagging up instruments.
Well, my health hasn't been too good this year so I decided, after much thought to give up nursing and try my hand at being a happy, smiley receptionist instead.
I don't know what has gone wrong, I really don't. Well, I can pin it down actually, its the patients, they keep appearing. I have worked two mornings and one afternoon this week, and I am having a really hard time believing its only wednesday! If I drank alcohol I think I would have a real problem by now with the amount I would have to consume to calm the stress.
Monday started out routinely enough, except the usual receptionist was ill, so my daughter had been drafted in, despite finishing the previous Friday in preparation for a new life at uni. I had a bit of ordering to do, so when people asked my name, I said "Annabel" just in case I had made mistakes, and therefore couldn't be located. A previous receptionist covered the afternoon with the normal, quite new girl who does reception and nursing.
Tuesday, oh, theres a bit of paperwork left over, and a pile of cards with messages on. First 15 minutes was fine, and I realise why now - first appointment is 9am, so the patients appear at reception around 9.10. We have 3 surgeries, so if the first patient is a check up thats 3 sets of forms to get signed, 3 lots of money to take and record, and 3 new appointments to make. We are not computerised, so we have to write on the back of the record card the amount and method of payment, write the patients name and dentist number on all receipts, write the date of their next appointment on the front of the record card and on the patients appointment card and then fill out the forms. When the pile is of reasonable size, a foot maybe, we have to put the cards and forms into alphabetical order, enter names into a folder and then pass everything to the relevant dentist to be signed. Everything then comes back to the desk, record cards to be filed and forms to be sent off. As I am typing this I realise how flippin archaeic it all is. Most practices are computerized which cuts the work down to taking money, making appointments and printing everything else.
The pile of paperwork by the end of Tuesday morning was mounting. No panic, we will cope. The afternoon receptionist sent me a text to say that the afternoon had produced more paperwork than they could cope with and she was sorry. Its like the never emptying porridge pot, it won't be long before we are drowning in paper and cards. So far this week I haven't had time to think about a cup of tea, let alone get as far as the kettle.
Wednesday, thats today, although I feel as though I have worked for 3 weeks straight already! Had the morning off as my daughter left for uni. That in itself has generated a humungous pile of old clothes, books, shoes plus rubbish to be sorted through. I will skip the leaving bit. Although I joke about 3 down, 1 to go, I am sad. The offspring left at home is male and when he makes an appearance to reassure us he hasn't died in front of his pc it is brief. I will miss my daughters girly mind! Having to watch things like Teen Mom, Keeping up with the Kardashians and various netflix box sets is now a think of the past. Not such a bad thing actually.
Into work, more cards, more patients. Of course, you get the families in during the afternoons. I just can't bear to say anymore, I really can't. We now have the leaning tower of Pisa on the desk. I think we would have more chance of clearing it if it was the leaning tower of pizza! At least we could give some of it away!
I just don't know how the previous receptionists did it. Maybe I am talking to the patients too much. Must stop being hapoy and smiley, although stressed and panicky is rapidly taking over. My mantra by thd end of the day was "go away and don't talk to me" ......
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