Medical Receptionist

We are currently recruiting for a part-time or full-time role, with up to 37.5 hours per week available to the successful candidate. Previous applicants need not apply. Interviews will be held in the new year.

The purpose of the role is to:

1. Offer general assistance to the practice team and project a positive and friendly image to patients and other visitors, either in person or via the telephone.
2. Receive, assist, and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient, and effective way.
3. Undertake a variety of administrative duties to assist in the smooth running of the practice, including the provision of administrative support to clinical staff and other members of the practice team.
4. Facilitate effective communication between patients, members of the primary health care team, secondary care, and other associated healthcare agencies.

Main duties of the job

The duties and responsibilities to be undertaken by members of the practice administration team may include any or all of the items in the following list. Duties may be varied from time to time under the direction of the TL / practice manager, dependent on current and evolving practice workload and staffing levels:

• Opening up/locking up of practice premises and maintaining security in accordance with practice protocols.
• Maintaining and monitoring the practice appointments system.
• Processing personal and telephone requests for appointments, visits, and telephone consultations, and ensuring callers are directed to the appropriate healthcare professional.
• Processing and distributing incoming and outgoing mail.
• Taking messages and passing on information.
• Computer data entry/data allocation and collation; processing and recording information in accordance with practice procedures. This may include but not limited to registering patients, change of address etc.
• Initiating contact with and responding to requests from patients, other team members, and associated healthcare agencies and providers.
• Clearing and re-stocking of consulting rooms as required.
• Providing clerical assistance to practice staff as required from time to time, including word/data processing, filing, photocopying, and scanning.
• Keeping the reception area, notice-boards, and leaflet dispensers tidy and free from obstructions and clutter.

About us

We are a popular and forward-thinking training practice of over 17,000 patients operating from three sites in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside of the Northern Pennines and Eden Valley, close to the great border city of Carlisle, within easy reach of the Lake District, the Borders, and Northumberland.

We are part of Carlisle Rural PCN and have an excellent team of Healthcare Professionals and supportive administration teams. We are also a dispensing practice with a dedicated Medicines Management Team and Dispensing Team.

The Practice is committed to safeguarding adults and children; therefore, if the post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended), the successful candidate(s) will be subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:

• Standard Check: £43.50. Deducted at £14.50 from 1st month salary and over the following 2 months.
• Enhanced Check: £61.50. Deducted at £20.50 from 1st month salary and over the following 2 months.

Job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities to be undertaken by members of the practice administration team may include any or all of the items in the following list. Duties may be varied from time to time under the direction of the senior receptionist/practice manager, dependent on current and evolving practice workload and staffing levels:

• Opening up/locking up of practice premises and maintaining security in accordance with practice protocols.
• Maintaining and monitoring the practice appointments system.
• Processing personal and telephone requests for appointments, visits, and telephone consultations, and ensuring callers are directed to the appropriate healthcare professional.
• Processing and distributing incoming and outgoing mail.
• Taking messages and passing on information.
• Computer data entry/data allocation and collation; processing and recording information in accordance with practice procedures. This may include but not limited to registering patients, change of address etc.
• Initiating contact with and responding to requests from patients, other team members, and associated healthcare agencies and providers.
• Clearing and re-stocking of consulting rooms as required.
• Providing clerical assistance to practice staff as required from time to time, including word/data processing, filing, photocopying, and scanning.
• Keeping the reception area, notice-boards, and leaflet dispensers tidy and free from obstructions and clutter.

Person Specification

Other Requirements

• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Ability to work well in a team.
• Ability to work well and remain calm under pressure.
• Ability/willingness to travel to other clinics to work during work hours when necessary.

Qualifications

• Good standard of general education 5 GCSE including English and Maths Grade 4 and above.
• Good standard of numeracy & literacy.
• NVQ Customer care.

Experience

• Basic computer use.
• Reception or customer service experience.
• Experience in a healthcare setting.
• Experience in a GP reception role.
• Previous experience of handling confidential records.

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to use own judgement and common sense.
• Familiarity with EMIS software.
• Understanding of medical terminology.