Medical Secretary

To be responsible for undertaking a wide range of secretarial and administrative duties and the provision of administrative support to the multidisciplinary team. Duties can include but are not limited to, the processing of information (electronic and hard copy) in a timely manner, liaising with multidisciplinary team members and external agencies such as secondary care and community service providers in accordance with current policies, including the use of the electronic referral service (ERS).

Please note this will be a 20 hour position working Monday to Friday between 8am & 5.30pm

Main duties of the job

• a. Typing letters, reports and associated documentation as required
• b. Liaising with external agencies such as hospitals and community services, ensuring referrals are processed efficiently
• c. Manage all enquiries in an effective manner
• e. Process calling letters as requested
• f. Scanning of patient related documentation and attaching scanned documents to patients healthcare records
• g. Input data into the patients healthcare records as necessary
• h. Process referrals using the electronic referral system (ERS)
• i. Process requests for information i.e. SAR, insurance / solicitors letters and DVLA forms
• k. Answer incoming phone calls, transferring calls or dealing with the caller\’s request appropriately
• m. Carry out system searches as requested
• n. Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times
• Support all clinical staff with general administrative tasks as requested

About us

Darwen Healthlink is a high QOF achiever and we use Emis Web Clinical System, Lexacom, Remote Access and Iplato. Our patient list size is currently over 15,000 patients and we are located in a modern multipurpose Health Centre with a variety of Community based healthcare providers within the building such as Treatment Rooms, Dental, Podiatry, MSK, Audiology and have an onsite Community Pharmacy. The Health Centre is located just off Junction 4 of the M65 providing easy access to the Motorway networks

Our practice team consists of:

4 GP Partners, a management team, 3 Salaried GP\’s, 2 Clinical Pharmacists, 1 Pharmacy Technician, 1 Mental Health Practitioner, 5 Practice Nurses 1 Healthcare Assistant and a Phlebotomist; all of which are supported by an effective and professional administrative team who have been provided with a high standard of training which includes workflow optimisation, care navigation, medication support and customer care.

Job responsibilities

To be responsible for undertaking a wide range of secretarial and administrative duties and the provision of administrative support to the multidisciplinary team. Duties can include but are not limited to, the processing of information (electronic and hard copy) in a timely manner, liaising with multidisciplinary team members and external agencies such as secondary care and community service providers in accordance with current policies, including the use of the electronic referral service (ERS).

All staff at Darwen Healthlink have a duty to conform to the following:

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

A good attitude and positive action towards ED&I creates an environment where all individuals are able to achieve their full potential. Creating such an environment is important for three reasons: it improves operational effectiveness, it is morally the right thing to do, and it is required by law.

Patients and their families have the right to be treated fairly and be routinely involved in decisions about their treatment and care. They can expect to be treated with dignity and respect and will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Patients have a responsibility to treat other patients and our staff with dignity and respect.

Staff have the right to be treated fairly in recruitment and career progression. Staff can expect to work in an environment where diversity is valued and equality of opportunity is promoted. Staff will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that you treat our patients and their colleagues with dignity and respect.

Safety, Health, Environment and Fire (SHEF)

This practice is committed to supporting and promoting opportunities to for staff to maintain their health, well-being and safety. You have a duty to take reasonable care of health and safety at work for you, your team and others, and to cooperate with employers to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements. All personnel are to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Environmental Protection Act 1990, Environment Act 1995, Fire Precautions (workplace) Regulations 1999 and other statutory legislation.

Confidentiality

This practice is committed to maintaining an outstanding confidential service. Patients entrust and permit us to collect and retain sensitive information relating to their health and other matters, pertaining to their care. They do so in confidence and have a right to expect all staff will respect their privacy and maintain confidentiality at all times. It is essential that if, the legal requirements are to be met and the trust of our patients is to be retained that all staff protect patient information and provide a confidential service.

Quality & Continuous Improvement (CI)

To preserve and improve the quality of our output, all personnel are required to think not only of what they do, but how they achieve it. By continually re-examining our processes, we will be able to develop and improve the overall effectiveness of the way we work. The responsibility for this rests with everyone working within the practice to look for opportunities to improve quality and share good practice.

This practice continually strives to improve work processes which deliver healthcare with improved results across all areas of our service provision. We promote a culture of continuous improvement, where everyone counts and staff are permitted to make suggestions and contributions to improve our service delivery and enhance patient care.

Induction Training

On arrival at the practice all personnel are to complete a practice induction programme; this is managed by the Management team.

Learning and Development

The effective use of training and development is fundamental in ensuring that all staff are equipped with the appropriate skills, knowledge, attitude and competencies to perform their role. All staff will be required to partake and complete mandatory training as directed by the training coordinator, as well as participating in the practice training programme. Staff will also be permitted (subject to approval) to undertake external training courses which will enhance their knowledge and skills, progress their career and ultimately, enable them to improve processes and service delivery.

All staff are to recognise the significance of collaborative working. Teamwork is essential in multidisciplinary environments. Effective communication is essential and all staff must ensure they communicate in a manner which enables the sharing of information in an appropriate manner.

Service Delivery

Staff at Darwen Healthlink must adhere to the information contained with practice policies and regional directives, ensuring protocols are adhered to at all times. Staff will be given detailed information during the induction process regarding policy and procedure.

Security

The security of the practice is the responsibility of all personnel. Staff must ensure they remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious activity immediately to their line manager. Under no circumstances are staff to share the codes for the door locks to anyone and are to ensure that restricted areas remain effectively secured.

Professional Conduct

At Darwen Healthlink, staff are required to dress appropriately for their role. Administrative staff will be provided with a uniform whilst clinical staff must dress in accordance with their role.

Leave

All personnel are entitled to take leave. Line managers are to ensure all of their staff are afforded the opportunity to take a minimum of 27 days leave each year, and should be encouraged to take all of their leave entitlement.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
• GCSE Mathematics & English (C or above)
• NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care

Experience

• Experience of working with the general public
• Experience of working in a health care setting as a medical secretary
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong IT skills, including audio typing
• 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
• Problem solving & analytical skills
• Ability to follow policy and procedure
• Polite and confident
• Flexible and cooperative
• Motivated
• Forward thinker
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Ability to work under pressure
• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
• 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.