Medical Receptionist

NHS; Weymouth; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 26,000

Job description

Following our recent merge, we are looking to expand our team and an exciting opportunity has become available for a highly motivated individual to join our friendly, supportive, and newly merged Weymouth Bay Medical Practice as a Medical Receptionist.

Full and Part time hours are available (hours can be negotiated) with a set weekly working pattern.

The salary is £12.24 - £13.31 per hour; £23,620 - £25,674 for 37 hours per week (pro rata) with the benefit of a NHS or NEST pension.

You should have excellent communication skills and have the ability to work as part of a diverse team. The successful candidate will also have strong IT and keyboard skills and be someone who can demonstrate empathy and tact with the ability to communicate with a range of people in an approachable and understanding manner.

If you are passionate about delivering outstanding healthcare and share our values, join us to support the achievement of our goals.

If you would like an informal discussion, please contact Leanne Birch on 01305 774466, or email [e-mail]

Closing Date: 17 April 2025

Formal Interview Date: 30 April 2025

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide reception duties for the practice and communicate with patients, doctors, and other clinical staff in a courteous, efficient, and effective way. They will receive, assist, and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional and undertake a variety of duties to assist in the smooth running of the Practice, in accordance with agreed procedures, protocols, and timescales. For a full list of duties, please refer to the job description. Previous experience in a busy receptionist role or customer service environment is desirable although full training will be given.

About us

The newly merged Weymouth Bay Medical Practice is a large friendly GP practice in Weymouth, Dorset (previously known as Royal Crescent and Preston Road Practice and Dorchester Road Practice) and both practices were inspected previously and were rated as Outstanding and Good by the Care Quality Commission.

We are committed to continually improve the patient experience while achieving high-quality services and implementing innovative change and are looking to expand our reception team to support the Practice in doing this.

The Practice looks after 26,000 patients with 3 purpose-built surgeries, one in the town centre of Weymouth (Royal Crescent Surgery), one in Lodmoor (Dorchester Road Surgery), and one on the outskirts, in the area of Preston (Preston Road Surgery). We are a training practice with a dedicated team of 21 GP Partners and 70 nursing and administrative staff, and we value the contribution of each staff member.

Job responsibilities

1. Reception Duties

1. To welcome patients in a friendly manner and monitor the flow of patients into consulting and treatment rooms.
2. Signpost patients to the most appropriate service for their needs.
3. Make appointments for patients in accordance with the practice protocol.
4. Ensure that patients with an urgent need are seen in a logical and non-disruptive manner in accordance with the practice protocol.
5. Explain practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover, ensure procedures are completed.
6. Advise patients in advance (where possible) of relevant charges for private services, accept payment and issue receipts for same.
7. Respond appropriately to all queries and requests for assistance from patients and other visitors.
8. Enter requests for home visits in the appropriate recording system, stating time received and including all relevant information and where necessary refer to the Duty Doctor.
9. Assist with queries regarding prescriptions and refer complex queries to the prescribing team.
10. Ensure reception and waiting areas are kept neat and tidy.
11. To conduct oneself in a professional manner maintaining courtesy, discretion, and patience at all times.
12. Attend staff meetings and carry out any other delegated duties considered appropriate to the post by the Operations Manager.
13. To be flexible and work with colleagues to cover for absence due to holiday and sickness.

2. Management of Appointment Systems

1. Ensure total familiarity with all appointment systems in effect, including regular and incidental variations.
2. Book appointments ensuring sufficient information regarding the reason for the appointment (where appropriate) is recorded in accordance with the practice protocol.

3. Management of Medical Records

1. Where records are computerized, data input should be accurate and identifiable by always using personal ID login. ID login should be maintained by changing login ID when prompted by the system.

4. Start and end of day Procedures

1. May complete opening and closing procedures in accordance with the duty rota.

5. Training

1. Undertake training where relevant to the tasks and responsibilities associated with the role and under the direction of your manager.
2. Perform any duty specifically delegated by your manager as being properly the responsibility of the role.

The tasks and responsibilities in this job description may change in the light of developments within the practice or practice and are subject to review.

Person Specification

Knowledge and skills

• Excellent communication skills (face to face, on the phone, and written)
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
• Effective time management (Planning & Organising)
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to follow policy and procedure
• Problem-solving & analytical skills

Qualifications

• Good standard of secondary education
• GCSE Mathematics & English (C or above)
• AMSPAR Receptionists Qualification

Experience

• Experience of working with the general public
• Dealing with people on the phone, often high call volumes
• Signposting people to different services based on their need
• Running a reception desk; managing numerous and varied requests
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting
• Experience of administrative duties

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.