If you think the receptionist are bad you should see from our angle the clients can he terrible. You get threatened abused frightened and blamed and still have to smile and be kind, Even if the person you are trying to help is the biggest a hole in the world. Clients can and do behave appallingly but we remain professional. I've for this type of work for 25 years and seen the very best in humans and the very worst.
The vets again !!!
- Thread starter Jennifer
- Start date
Good golly, I bet you’ve seen the whole gamut. I always think this of GP receptionists and, yes, police officers - for all the people who appreciate the service there must be as many (or more?) who don’t see the person behind the badge. For all the a-holes, remember you’re massively appreciated by many, and I’m sure make a huge difference to lots of people sometimes in a vulnerable place ? xx
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
I love my job and really appreciate most of the patients they have restored my faith in human nature many times. I have met the most wonderful inspirational people over the years,. Seen people and comforted them at their worst moments cried when they've passed. Reception is only a small part of my job but I do it well.
Believe me I know what a hard job it can be. Dealing with the public is not always a pleasant experience, I've been there and now I have to deal with a hole owners
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
One of the things that annoys me (one among many) is how patients in a waiting room moan bitterly to the receptionists and each other about having to wait so long. Then come in to see me nice as pie. (And take 20 mins in a 10 minute appointment.)
I just itch for someone to complain to my face - I am all ready to tell them I'm running late as I have had my feet up watching tennis for the last 30 minutes drinking gin.
Some of our patients are so unbelievably rude and demanding - for no "allowable" reason. You can understand if someone is worried or scared or unwell that they may be tetchy but we have well known repeat offenders.
One woman turns up at 5.45 almost every week demanding a prescription, empties her back out on the counter to retrieve a box or tube or bottle and says she needs it now. Grrr.
Our receptionists all deserve medals.
I just itch for someone to complain to my face - I am all ready to tell them I'm running late as I have had my feet up watching tennis for the last 30 minutes drinking gin.
Some of our patients are so unbelievably rude and demanding - for no "allowable" reason. You can understand if someone is worried or scared or unwell that they may be tetchy but we have well known repeat offenders.
One woman turns up at 5.45 almost every week demanding a prescription, empties her back out on the counter to retrieve a box or tube or bottle and says she needs it now. Grrr.
Our receptionists all deserve medals.
You know all them disused shock collars well us receptionists have fantasies about the new use for them ,?. I have toyed with the idea of wiring up the chairs. I did take puppets in one day. If I dared relate some of the stuff you would wet yourself so many adventures . Some days are just the best though i have nearly stopped breathing they have made me laugh so much
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
My vet receptionists are all lovely but I wish you were one of them too, Swampy ?
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
Not that I want to sit on an electric waiting chair ?
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Hats off to anyone who deals with the public. I couldn't do it. I work in IT and computers don't (a) smell (b) talk back to me (c) take me for granted (d) be aggressive/rude/demanding/unruly/unreasonable.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
My daughter is a vet nurse (now training to be a paramedic) and is extremely prone to speaking her mind. She was 'asked to leave' a vets in a very posh part of London as she would tell the clients exactly what was what if their actions were not in the best interests of their animals. Apparently that wasn't how they dealt with their clients .
.
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Good on her.
That is how it SHOULD be!!
- Location
- Isle of Man
For my sins..I am a GP receptionist. I have to say, I love the job, you meet so many characters. Yep, there are truly horrible, demanding, abusive patients but they are in the minority, and you have to remind yourself that every time you are subjected to a tirade of abuse.
I know - they seem to think we have some way of controlling what is going on in the consulting room.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I used to be a receptionist at GP surgery and all patients were super, but then it was in the 1980's, I think people are ruder now. Also as a vet nurse I did reception duties at times and only one person was rude and objectionable, but she is the one I remember.
- Location
- Buckinghamshire UK
I was brought up to never be rude, especially to someone you might need one day. I try to be nice to everyone, even people who are rude but I just cannot be nice to someone who treats animals badly. Someone aimed a kick at one of my dogs once and I lost it! I think the whole county must have heard me going for them.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Yes, the only person I was rude to when a vet nurse, was when a man brought a dog in on a piece of string to be put down, nothing wrong with the dog, I am afraid I told him what I thought. I still weep at the memories of dogs who were needlessly put down in my time of being a vet nurse.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
That's great
- Location
- Wellington, NZ
@Jennifer don't second guess yourself. If Big Boss Vet was that busy, he should have just told one of the other vets to pass on the results. You shouldn't need to chase down test results! What a fiasco. I'm sorry that you don't have any other suitable clinics in reasonable distance, that must be really frustrating.
re receptionists. My old vet receptionist was lovely! So sweet! Daisy was on special food, and every time I'd buy a bag Vicky would cheerfully say "I'll add that to your card!" (buy 10 get one free). I was so sad when she left, she was a lovely, cheerful presence. Then I went in to buy Daisy's food and asked the receptionist to let me know where I was at with my purchases. Vicky, sweet, helpful Vicky, hadn't added ANY of my purchases to my card. Me: "but Vicky told me she'd do it!" The senior receptionist's face told me a lot - Vicky had been absolutely useless. This hasn't changed the way I interact with people, but I am aware that a cheerful demeanor doesn't count for shit if you don't back it up with competence. And if you're adding something to my card you're doing it in front of me, not once I'm gone.
re receptionists. My old vet receptionist was lovely! So sweet! Daisy was on special food, and every time I'd buy a bag Vicky would cheerfully say "I'll add that to your card!" (buy 10 get one free). I was so sad when she left, she was a lovely, cheerful presence. Then I went in to buy Daisy's food and asked the receptionist to let me know where I was at with my purchases. Vicky, sweet, helpful Vicky, hadn't added ANY of my purchases to my card. Me: "but Vicky told me she'd do it!" The senior receptionist's face told me a lot - Vicky had been absolutely useless. This hasn't changed the way I interact with people, but I am aware that a cheerful demeanor doesn't count for shit if you don't back it up with competence. And if you're adding something to my card you're doing it in front of me, not once I'm gone.
This is just getting silly now and very repetitive. Yesterday 8.15am I rang my vets, spoke to the main receptionist (yes Rosemary @MaccieD a morning receptionist I was very brave ) and left yet another message for Mr boss vet to ring me. Now it's more about Scott's bottom than the urine sample. Bathing it has helped but Scout is still getting so worked up it's unbelievable. Hillary was away this week and I was going to wait until Monday but then thought Mr boss examined Scott it should be him I speak to. Receptionist said she'd pass on the message but it would probably be evening before he rang. I explained I'd been waiting two weeks etc so she said if she could get him to ring sooner she would. Guess what my labrador friends he didn't ring again Seriously I'm starting to think he's avoiding me now. It's just so rude, unprofessional and lots of other things that I'm too polite to write. If I had other options I'd go in at a very busy time and complain very loudly before I walked. There's also Hillary. She's very good and very nice. I will be ringing her on Monday.
I've just spoken to a very nice vet nurse on my insurance vet line. I explained everything. She thought it probably was his anal gland although as Scout should be used to Scott's pheromones wasn't sure why he should be so excited. She did wonder if the vet was originally treating Scott for frunculitis (sp) as that has an aroma but from what I told her thought it sounded like that had cleared up. I asked if I should try these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Glandex®-Wipes-Cleansing-Deodorizing-Hygienic/dp/B01MQ3GRGK/ref=sr_1_7? =UTF8&qid=1532686106&sr=8-7&keywords=glandex She hadn't heard of them, googled them while I was on the phone and told me they looked a good idea. I'm so glad I could be of help. She also thought it very rude the vet hadn't rung me back and suggested I contact the practice manager.
I think I'll still ring and speak to Hillary although when I asked the nurse if I should contact the vet she didn't think they'd say anything different but as she was only a nurse it would give a complete picture. I guess I'll be waiting by the phone all day Monday again. Thank goodness for mobile phones how did we manage without.
Yesterday 8.15am I rang my vets, spoke to the main receptionist (yes Rosemary @MaccieD a morning receptionist I was very brave ) and left yet another message for Mr boss vet to ring me. Now it's more about Scott's bottom than the urine sample. Bathing it has helped but Scout is still getting so worked up it's unbelievable. Hillary was away this week and I was going to wait until Monday but then thought Mr boss examined Scott it should be him I speak to. Receptionist said she'd pass on the message but it would probably be evening before he rang. I explained I'd been waiting two weeks etc so she said if she could get him to ring sooner she would. Guess what my labrador friends he didn't ring again Seriously I'm starting to think he's avoiding me now. It's just so rude, unprofessional and lots of other things that I'm too polite to write. If I had other options I'd go in at a very busy time and complain very loudly before I walked. There's also Hillary. She's very good and very nice. I will be ringing her on Monday.I've just spoken to a very nice vet nurse on my insurance vet line. I explained everything. She thought it probably was his anal gland although as Scout should be used to Scott's pheromones wasn't sure why he should be so excited. She did wonder if the vet was originally treating Scott for frunculitis (sp) as that has an aroma but from what I told her thought it sounded like that had cleared up. I asked if I should try these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Glandex®-Wipes-Cleansing-Deodorizing-Hygienic/dp/B01MQ3GRGK/ref=sr_1_7? =UTF8&qid=1532686106&sr=8-7&keywords=glandex She hadn't heard of them, googled them while I was on the phone and told me they looked a good idea. I'm so glad I could be of help.
She also thought it very rude the vet hadn't rung me back and suggested I contact the practice manager. I think I'll still ring and speak to Hillary although when I asked the nurse if I should contact the vet she didn't think they'd say anything different but as she was only a nurse it would give a complete picture. I guess I'll be waiting by the phone all day Monday again. Thank goodness for mobile phones how did we manage without.