A WEEK IN THE WORKING LIFE OF ELEANNA, GP RECEPTIONIST
Healthcare is a great sector and very rewarding, the roles are diverse, and the impact you have on people’s lives is significant.
Meet 23-year-old Eleanna, a passionate GP receptionist at Valley Medical Centre in Childwall. Over the past five years, she has been a friendly face at the desk, a reassuring voice on the phone, and an indispensable organiser. Now, she’s taking her career to the next level by pursuing the General Practice Assistant (GPA) course through Sysco Business Skills Academy.
This course equips Eleanna with skills to provide clinical support to GPs, including phlebotomy, reviewing blood and ECG results, and handling samples. By the end, she’ll achieve a BTEC Level 4 in GPA, firmly placing her on the NHS Career Framework and opening doors for progression. Her ultimate ambition? To climb to a Level 7 or 8 role, shaping services and leading teams.
We asked Eleanna to keep a weekly diary of her working life and GPA training to offer insights into her role and inspire others to jump-start their own journeys in healthcare.
Eleanna’s diary
Monday
7.30 am: My day begins with opening the building. I unlock gates, open shutters, power up computers, and prepare clinics and admin rooms. The quiet morning quickly transitions into a flurry of activity as I process overnight prescriptions, ensuring they are sent to GPs to maintain patient care.
8.00 am – 11.30 am: Like clockwork, the phones start ringing, and patients start queuing at 8 a.m. The desk buzzes with energy as I process appointments, blood test requests, patient samples, and queries. It’s fast-paced but incredibly fulfilling because, from the get-go, I’m assisting patients.
11.30 am – 12.30 pm: Then it’s administration tasks. Scanning hospital letters into patient records, processing insurance requests, and managing GP partner correspondence are all vital tasks to keep everything running smoothly.
12.30 pm: Lunch! Just 30 minutes to recharge for the afternoon.
1.00 pm – 3.30 pm: This afternoon is focused on my GPA training. I complete e-learning and refine practical skills like medical observations. I also assist with taking blood pressure, medical histories, and oxygen level readings. It’s exciting building my skills for the future.
Tuesday
10.30 am – 2.00 pm: It’s another hectic morning at the reception. I handle prescription requests, print blood results, and correctly store collected samples until the courier arrives.
2.00 pm – 2.30 pm: Lunch is a quick reset before heading back to work.
2.30 pm – 4.00 pm: Afternoons can be demanding but rewarding, knowing everything is accurate and up to date! Today, I scanned clinical letters, updated patient records, and added treatment notes like blood pressure and weight measurements.
4.00 pm – 6.00 pm: I return to reception, where I help more patients either in person or on the phone.
6.00 pm – 6.30 pm: The working day ends, and I turn off computers, lock shutters, and generally prepare the GP rooms for the next day, before leaving and securing the building.
Wednesday
7.30 am – 8.00 am: It’s another opening shift, setting things up for a productive day. These quiet, focused mornings paired with coffee are among my favourites.
8.00 am – 11.30 am: At 8 am sharp, the phones are buzzing again. Every day feels different because there are so many different patients asking for a variety of help and support. I’m always thinking on my feet.
11.30 am – 12.30 pm: My GP mentor reviews my progress and guides me through my coursework. The feedback keeps me inspired and focused on my goals.
12.30 pm – 2.00 pm: This time is dedicated to GPA training, working on clinical skills, shadowing nurses, and observing patient care. Every task shows me how to bridge the gap between reception and clinical roles.
Thursday
8.00 am – 12.00 pm: I spend my morning working from home on GPA coursework, a change of pace that allows me to focus and reflect.
1.00 pm – 2.00 pm: Later, I manage Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) claims, carefully filing forms for reimbursement of vaccines.
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm: I return to reception for patient interaction, resolving queries, and assisting wherever needed. I am always friendly and supportive – I might be the only person an elderly patient has spoken to all week!
Friday
7.30 am – 8.00 am: I’m back at the surgery, unlocking and prepping, setting the stage for another busy day.
8.00 am – 11.30 am: I’m back at reception for the patient-care cycle. Helping people face unique challenges keeps things fresh.
11.30 am – 12.30 pm: Admin time! I treat tasks such as scanning letters, updating records, and managing prescriptions with the utmost care. Attention to detail is so important.
1.00 pm – 4.00 pm: The week wraps up with patient calls, more sample collections, and final checks. When the clock strikes four, I’m looking forward to a weekend of well-earned relaxation.
A rewarding career path
I assure you that working as a GP receptionist is not just about answering the phone! It’s about being part of a patient’s healthcare experience, supporting behind the scenes, and learning new skills daily. The GPA course has opened my eyes to future possibilities, motivating me to keep pushing toward my career goals.
Healthcare is a great sector and very rewarding as a career. The roles are diverse, and the impact you have on people’s lives is significant. Could this be your career path? For more information about the GPA course Eleanna is doing, contact the Sysco Business Skills Academy.
