I am the main receptionist in my office. Front Desk. And with that position comes a few things that drive me nuts about people at my desk. Part of my job is to check people in and out for their appointments and when they check-in there are often forms or papers for them to sign or fill out. I'd rant about how much people hate filling out forms but that's another blog post. Instead, let me tell you how annoying it is when I hand someone a clipboard with a form to fill out and instead of taking it to fill out, they stand at my desk and fill it out. CLIPBOARD. Take it. That's why I gave you one. Walk away. Sit down away from my desk and fill it out. The desk to sign in is higher than the desk that I sit at so when anyone is standing at my desk it is like they are hovering over me. And even if they are filling out a paper, it feels like they are staring at me. I really don't like when someone watches me work. Awkward.
Also, when we are on call, working after hours, a patient form needs to be filled out and I have to scan the insurance card. I will hand them the papers on a clipboard and say, "fill this out and bring it back with your insurance card." Did you see/hear that: BRING IT BACK. In order to bring it back you have to take it with you. Walk away.
Do you have a pen? No. Receptionists don't have pens available. We give you papers to fill out and expect you to have your own writing utensil. Of course there are pens, open your eyes and you'll see the jar of pens on the desk. Yes, they have flowers on them but that's a pretty common thing at other places that have pens.
What I wish I could say: "Sign this page, please."
"Do you have a pen?"
"No, I wanted you to sign in your blood."
Some people are just rude about it, too. They can't just ask for a pen. They act all put out that I didn't place the pen in their hand for them.
Next annoying thing people do: crowding. I'm helping someone at my desk and someone walks in and wants to sign in. But they can't just wait their turn at the desk. No, they literally reach around the person I'm helping to grab the sign in sheet and sign in. Because that's going to get them in sooner? Just wait your turn. You'll have to come back up to the desk anyway to sign your paper.
This also happens when people want to give back a paper they have filled out and someone else is at my desk. They reach over the other person and even wave the paper in my face if I don't respond. (Which I usually don't since I am assisting someone else and they are being rude.)
I wish our office was big enough to put one of those "please wait here for privacy purposes" signs but there just isn't space for that. However, you'd think people would just want to respect others' privacy, especially being in a doctor's office. Or I wish I could say, "take a number." We learn at a young age that we need to take turns and yet for some reason as adults we think that goes out the window.
Another sign I need, (but really should just be common courtesy) "Please refrain from using your cell phone at the desk." I mean really. Either finish your call before you come in, tell the person you're talking to to hold, or ignore the call and call back after you leave the desk. The more popular cell phones have become, the less people use their manner's and common courtesy.
Can't we all just be nice and get along? R-E-S-P-E-C-T (you sang it too, didn't you?)
Also, when we are on call, working after hours, a patient form needs to be filled out and I have to scan the insurance card. I will hand them the papers on a clipboard and say, "fill this out and bring it back with your insurance card." Did you see/hear that: BRING IT BACK. In order to bring it back you have to take it with you. Walk away.
Do you have a pen? No. Receptionists don't have pens available. We give you papers to fill out and expect you to have your own writing utensil. Of course there are pens, open your eyes and you'll see the jar of pens on the desk. Yes, they have flowers on them but that's a pretty common thing at other places that have pens.
What I wish I could say: "Sign this page, please."
"Do you have a pen?"
"No, I wanted you to sign in your blood."
Some people are just rude about it, too. They can't just ask for a pen. They act all put out that I didn't place the pen in their hand for them.
Next annoying thing people do: crowding. I'm helping someone at my desk and someone walks in and wants to sign in. But they can't just wait their turn at the desk. No, they literally reach around the person I'm helping to grab the sign in sheet and sign in. Because that's going to get them in sooner? Just wait your turn. You'll have to come back up to the desk anyway to sign your paper.
This also happens when people want to give back a paper they have filled out and someone else is at my desk. They reach over the other person and even wave the paper in my face if I don't respond. (Which I usually don't since I am assisting someone else and they are being rude.)
I wish our office was big enough to put one of those "please wait here for privacy purposes" signs but there just isn't space for that. However, you'd think people would just want to respect others' privacy, especially being in a doctor's office. Or I wish I could say, "take a number." We learn at a young age that we need to take turns and yet for some reason as adults we think that goes out the window.
Another sign I need, (but really should just be common courtesy) "Please refrain from using your cell phone at the desk." I mean really. Either finish your call before you come in, tell the person you're talking to to hold, or ignore the call and call back after you leave the desk. The more popular cell phones have become, the less people use their manner's and common courtesy.
Can't we all just be nice and get along? R-E-S-P-E-C-T (you sang it too, didn't you?)
Comments
Post a Comment