Receptionist

NHS North Of England Commissioning Support Unit

A medical receptionist serves as the first point of contact for patients in a healthcare facility, ensuring a welcoming and efficient environment. This role involves managing front desk operations, including greeting patients, scheduling appointments, and handling inquiries both in-person and over the phone. They work closely with healthcare providers to ensure smooth communication and coordination of patient care.

Key responsibilities include managing the flow of patients in the waiting area, handling sensitive patient information with confidentiality, and ensuring records are kept up to date with patient data. The role requires strong organizational skills, the ability to multitask, and a compassionate approach to patient interactions. A medical receptionist must possess excellent communication skills to effectively interact with patients, healthcare providers, and other contacts. In addition to administrative duties, the medical receptionist may assist with directing patients to appropriate departments. The role demands attention to detail, particularly in managing appointment schedules and processing patient data. Familiarity with medical terminology is beneficial, but not essential. The medical receptionist plays a crucial role in ensuring a positive patient experience by providing efficient, courteous service and maintaining a well-organized, professional front office.

This will be a Part time role over 3 days, 25.5 hours per week.

Main duties of the job

Administration

1. To work in accordance of written protocols
2. E-mail and photocopy as requested
3. Ensure correspondence, reports, results etc are filed promptly and in the correct records, ensuring that all recent correspondence is available when patients are seen.

Reception

1. Ensure an effective and efficient reception service is provided to patients and any other visitors to the Practice.
2. Receiving patients consulting with members of Practice team.
3. Advise patients of relevant charges for private services, accept payment and issue receipts for same.

Appointments

1. Deal with all general enquiries, appointment requests for today/ future appointments from patients by telephone and in person.
2. Deal with visit requests.
3. Using your own judgment and communication skills ensure that patients with no prior appointment but who need urgent consultation are seen in a logical and non-disruptive manner.

Computer

1. Ensure that all new patients are registered onto the computer system promptly and accurately.
2. Process patients change of address computer data and medical records.
3. Scan letters onto patients records ensuring the correct patient records are used.

Telephone

1. Have working knowledge of telephone system.
2. Receive and make telephone calls as required. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery.

Other Tasks

1. Provide patients with test results after the doctor has reviewed results.

About us

Marine Medical Group is located in the picturesque coastal town of Blyth. We are dedicated to delivering comprehensive and high-quality medical services. Focusing on patient-centered care, we pride ourselves on our team of skilled professionals who are committed to improving health outcomes and enhancing the well-being of our patients.

Our mission is to strive to be an accessible, effective, caring, sustainable and informed organisation for our patients and staff whenever they need our support.

We offer a wide range of medical services, including:

• General practice and family medicine
• Preventive health and wellness
• Chronic disease management
• Minor surgical procedures
• Women's health
• Children's health

We are dedicated to continuous professional development and staying updated with the latest advancements to offer the highest standard of care.

Our goal is to promote health and wellness within the Blyth community and support our patients in leading healthy, fulfilling lives.

Working at Marine Medical Group offers the opportunity to be part of a dynamic and supportive team. We value our employees and offer a range of benefits, including professional development opportunities, competitive salaries, and a positive work-life balance.

If you are passionate about providing exceptional healthcare and want to be part of a dedicated team, we invite you to explore career opportunities with Marine Medical Group in Blyth.

Job responsibilities

Receive, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient and effective way. Provide 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.

Confidentiality:

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

Health & Safety:

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:

1. Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines.
2. Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks.
3. Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills.
4. Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards.

Equality and Diversity:

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:

1. Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Practice procedures and policies, and current legislation.
2. Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.
3. Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Personal/Professional Development:

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment, such training to include:

1. Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development.
2. Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

Quality:

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will:

1. Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.
2. Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision.
3. Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance.
4. Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs.
5. Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication:

The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

1. Communicate effectively with other team members.
2. Communicate effectively with patients and carers.
3. Recognize peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Contribution to the Implementation of Services:

The post-holder will:

1. Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance.
2. Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work.
3. Participate in audit where appropriate.

Please see the attached job description for a full overview of the role and responsibilities.

Person Specification

Experience

• Computer literate with an ability to use the required GP clinical systems.
• Awareness of Data Protection Act and need for confidentiality of information.
• Attention to detail, able to work accurately, identifying errors quickly and easily.
• Excellent understanding of data protection and confidentiality issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with team members, patients, carers, and other healthcare professionals, with the ability to adjust communication style.
• Committed to own continuing personal development and an ability to support others to develop and progress.
• Experience of working in a medical or primary care setting.
• Has a planned and organised approach with an ability to prioritise their own workload to meet strict deadlines.

Personal Attributes

• Works effectively independently and as a member of a team.
• Flexible approach to meet service needs and ensure a stakeholder focused response.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Continued commitment to improve skills and ability in new areas of work.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Qualifications

• GCSEs at grade C or equivalent (or 4-9), including English and Maths.
• Training in administration/clerical duties at NVQ level or above.
• NVQ Level 2/3 in Customer Services or Health Care or related discipline.

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.

Employer name

NHS North Of England Commissioning Support Unit

Depending on experience National Minimum Wage