Post # 1
Member
319 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: April 2014 - Courthouse
I’ve been looking around for a job and found a receptionist position at my local hospital and it’s asking for “previous physician office experience”. Then it talks about being able to greet people and using the computer. It also talks about being able to handle unexpected events. I’ve been a waitress for 5 years, I know more than enough about unexpected events haha. I’m just wondering if it will hinder the opportunity for me to get the position? I’m really looking forward to hearing back from the HR department because jobs are so limited in my area but I want to be able to start saving for a house and a baby, I really want this job:(
Post # 2
Member
46597 posts
Honey Beekeeper
FutureMrsB123: Never let your perceived lack of qualifications stop you from applying for a job.
You never know what emphasis they are going to place on which qualifications.
You also never know who else is going to apply.
In this case the lack of medical experience may be a hindrance, if they want that experience to include familiarity with medical terminology or any special appointment booking system.
Post # 3
Member
319 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: April 2014 - Courthouse
I think this job is a brand new posting so hopefully I was the first or one of the firsts to apply! I’ve been emailing the Human Resources office and let her know I did fill out an online application so she would know to specifically look out for mine. This is the post from the job posting…
“Position Requirements: Prefer previous experience in a physician’s office. Ability to greet patients, schedule appointments, file, prepare charts, process insurance information, collect payments and answer telephone. Must possess computer skills. Must have good rapport with public and be able to handle unexpected changes in schedule and workload. Confidentiality and dependability is extremely important.”
Ive been a reception before and recently worked at a bank (which I’m kicking myself for not staying in but I didn’t like it either…money is scary haha!) so I know how to work a computer and properly answer a phone. With my waitress experience I know how to talk to people and deal with muti tasking and unexpected changes. If someone just shows me how to do things for a couple weeks I usually get it and in a month I have it down! I’m so nervous because I need to work so bad and want something I can make into a career.
Post # 4
Member
1195 posts
Bumble bee
FutureMrsB123: Before I worked in a front office for a physician practice…I waitressed, worked at Walmart’s Tire Center desk, worked as a QA person in a juice factory…and many other …odd jobs. Customer service is a big deal for jobs like that. I think if you did well waitressing, you’ll do fine in front office. I had so many different jobs and all of them actually just seasoned me for what I’m doing now. I work for the same hospital I was a receptionist for, but in Information Services and I am an analyst that basically roams the hospital and helps out with EVERYTHING! It’s pretty cool. Just own it and know you can handle it, I’m sure it can take you far! Good luck!
Post # 5
Member
319 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: April 2014 - Courthouse
Ninebones: Thank you! That makes me feel a little more hopeful. I would love for this to work out because I am so desperate for a job right now. I just want to do something that I love and I hope that this could be it. Things have been really stressful and I just got married this past weekend so we’re looking forward to starting a family and having a house. We live with my sister in law and brother in law and it’s really tough sharing things and who buys what. It’s mostly been them but that’s because our funds have been low. Oops went on a rant like I do in most of my posts haha! But thank you! I’m looking forward to hearing from the hospital!!
Post # 6
Member
1195 posts
Bumble bee
FutureMrsB123: Just be confident. It’s not as big and scarey as you imagine. (I always imagine new jobs to be like that, then I get to them and become pro and boss others around!) Hospital is a prime place for a job because they usually pretty awesome benefits!
Post # 7
Member
354 posts
Helper bee
FutureMrsB123: hope you get the job, and somehow maybe it will be a great way to get into a really stable field.
Like someone says, you might to have slight medical knowledge. Doesnt hurt to learn some basics on your own. Like if someone comes in with certain symptoms, you might need to be able to recognize if it’s urgent to talk to a doctor and have the doctor see them right away.
Post # 8
Member
319 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: April 2014 - Courthouse
Barely_Blush: Ahh youre right. I feel like I’ve just been applying for everything under the moon. I’m on indeed.com atleast 10 times a day but it doesn’t update much because I live in a super small town!
Post # 9
Member
354 posts
Helper bee
FutureMrsB123: with such a small town, do you have connections?
Post # 10
Member
319 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: April 2014 - Courthouse
Barely_Blush: One at the hospital! It’s my cousins wife and I referenced her On my application. Mostly extended family lives here ( I didn’t grow up here,parents did) and I let them know to keep looking out for something. There’s maybe 5 restaurants here in town and I work (once a week now 🙁 ) at one of them. I’m just really frustrated. Darling Husband (I get to finally call him that ! 🙂 finally got his dream job but of course he’s just starting out so the pay isn’t covering all of our bills. I really want to have more money in savings and have our own house to provide for a baby And also just help pay our bills now!
Post # 11
Member
547 posts
Busy bee
I work in a similar job to what you’re describing and I didn’t have any office experience. Although I did have a college degree (which has nothing to do with my job-yay), all of my previous work experience was hosting/waitressing so I think I was in similar position as you. The bank job counts as office experience. I would say the most important skill for being a physician’s receptionist is to multitask. After that, to stay cool under pressure. I think you should also emphasize that you’re looking for a stable, long term position because offices like that get a LOT of turnover and it sucks for the manager having to deal with it. All they want is a normal person to be nice and come into work everyday haha. I hope you get the job!
Post # 12
Member
9549 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
Former waitress who now works at a hospital here – I think waitressing could actually have some similar things. Generally being nice and polite to people. Patients can be kind of nuts when they call the doctor (they’re sick, their kid is sick, they’re frustrated with insurance, etc.) so it’s good to be able to keep calm and polite.
Post # 13
Member
2104 posts
Buzzing bee
Not much to add, other than good luck! I have done that type of work before, and I am sure that you will do fine. They will need a reliable and friendly person. The customer is always right, but you already know that. Apply for anything you can, and let the HR people do what they do best.
Post # 14
Member
1066 posts
Bumble bee
As someone who has had to hire people in the past, I figured I’d give you some tips.
Firstly, if you know anyone in a corporate position who regular hires employees, ask them to read over your resume and give you tips. The more people you ask the better. Your resume is the single most important thing, not just what is written on it, but how it’s presented. A few years agom, I was job hunting for months and got nothing, changed my resume around and got 3 job interviews in a week.
Always right a brief cover letter for each application, and customise it to the position you are applying for. Mention the company by name and do some research about what the company does (eg. they specialise in something) and mention you are particularly interested in that field of their work. It shows you are taking the time to apply and not just sending your resume out to any opening you see.
When possible, do a follow up call or email (as it seems you’ve been doing) to check they received it. In the email/phone call ask a quick intelligent question about something on the ad. It shows you really read it and absorbed it.
These sorts of steps really show someone you are interested in the position and can overstep missing certain skills/experiences they have asked for, depending on the importance they have placed on that skill/experience.
Good luck! If not this one, there will be another one!
Post # 15
Member
319 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: April 2014 - Courthouse
Thanks for the tips everyone! I prayed a little last night because things are getting tough around here and I just need some guidance to help me feel more confident about getting a full time job and that everything will work out. Apparently at DH’s job the lead cook is leaving so the main sous chef said that it was DH’s time to shine! He has an evaluation in June so I’m crossing my fingers for him! A raise would help so much right now. I had emailed the woman in HR last night like I had said, but no reply yet, but there’s still time. I’m just going to be persistent and look on job websites everyday. I also applied at our county courthouse just for an office job but she said there won’t be part time until July. Oy! Not going to help this months bills! I’m trying to be positive but it’s hard.
