Community Chat

[august_1]

Hi, All - I was laid off by a hospital when they outsourced their entire medical records department. I've been off work for a few months now. I'm willing and wanting to branch out to other types of work, while I've still got some good years left in me (haha); but I think that after many, many years of doing medical transcription, some employers aren't willing to take a chance that I'd be happy in a less-challenging job. (The applications I most often get a response from are medical-type jobs.) Maybe they're right, but I'd sure be willing to give it a good try if I could just get the chance!

Anyway, I've come to the conclusion that front desk/reception in a medical office isn't quite what I want because of the pressure, stress, and sometimes high anxiety of the patients you have to serve (though I really admire those who do that kind of work--they're under-appreciated)! I'm just at a point in my life where I'd like a little less stress than that.

I have an interview coming up soon for a front desk position at an eye doctor's office (optometry, not ophthalmology). It involves greeting, scheduling, misc. office/customer duties, taking payments, closing out for the day...that type of thing. Can anyone here comment on whether this type of office might be less intense than a medical office, or is it a similar kind of thing? Just looking for any input, if you happen to have an opinion.

It seems like it would be less emotionally draining than dealing with patients who are ill or in pain, but I wonder if I'm just trying to convince myself of that!? I know every job like this has ups and downs in their hectic times, and the number of doctors in the office can make a big difference (this one only has two). I like being busy enough that the day doesn't drag...but "tear-your-hair-out" busy, I can do without. I only want to work about 10 more years, so re-training for a totally new field might not be time- or cost-effective for me.

Any opinions or input would be greatly appreciated...might help me think of questions I need to ask at the interview. Especially if you've worked for an optometrist before. TIA!