Medical Receptionist in Houghton-Le-Spring

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a part-time Medical Receptionist to join our friendly team at Grangewood Surgery, working 25 hours per week. The successful candidate will be the main point of contact for our patients providing a high standard of customer service both over the phone and in person. The postholder will be expected to provide an efficient, effective and helpful service to the Practice population. Through the use of initiative, a flexible approach and working consistently to high standards, you will provide valuable help and support to members of the Primary Health Care Team.

Main Duties include:

• Welcoming patients and visitors to the practice in a courteous and professional manner
• Booking, amending and cancelling appointments using EMIS Web
• Answering telephone queries and dealing with requests in a timely manner
• Processing repeat prescriptions in line with practice protocols
• Handling incoming and outgoing post
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date patient records
• Supporting the wider practice team with administrative duties as required
• Maintaining patient confidentiality and adhering to GDPR at all times

To apply please submit your CV and a short supporting statement via the NHS Jobs website outlining how you meet the criteria for this role. Please note that this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if sufficient suitable applications are received. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, you should assume you have not been shortlisted but we would like to thank you for your interest in the practice.

About us:

Grangewood Surgery is situated in Shiney Row (the south end of Washington), near the famous landmark of Penshaw Monument. There are excellent transport links to Sunderland, Newcastle, and Durham with the A1 a few minutes away. Shiney Row is a large former mining village with a stable community and a significant amount of new housing. We are a training practice consisting of 5 Partners, and a salaried GP, supported by an experienced nursing team of 1 Practice Nurse, 1 Nurse Practitioner, 1 Nurse Associate, 1 Student Nurse Associate and 1 Health Care Assistant. We have many years experience in training, development and mentoring within the Practice. We are high QOF achievers, committed to providing Enhanced Services for over 7,400 patients and have an extensive in-house programme of education and development. We are actively engaged in new innovative ways of delivering care through multidisciplinary working and Primary Care Networks. Our CQC rating is Good with Outstanding in areas.

Job responsibilities:

HOURS: 25 hours per week
CONTRACT: Permanent

Purpose of the Post:

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. Receive, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient and effective way. Facilitate effective communication between patients, members of the primary health care team, secondary care and other associate healthcare agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities to be undertaken by members of the practice reception and 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 Practice Manager/Assistant Practice Manager, dependent on current and evolving practice workload and staffing levels:

• 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
• Filing and retrieving paperwork
• Processing repeat prescriptions in accordance with practice guidelines
• Computer data entry/data allocation and collation; processing and recording information in accordance with practice procedures
• Initiating contact with and responding to requests from patients, other team members and associated healthcare agencies and providers
• Clearing and re-stock consulting rooms as required
• Providing clerical assistance to practice staff as required from time to time, including word/data processing, filing, photocopying and scanning
• Provision of refreshments for staff and visitors as required; keeping the kitchen area clean and tidy
• Keeping the reception area, notice-boards and leaflet dispensers tidy and free from obstructions and clutter
• QOF administration duties which will be reviewed and allocated annually
• Opening up/locking-up of practice premises and maintaining security in accordance with Practice protocols
• Any other duties deemed necessary to ensure the smooth running of service delivery

Responsible To: The Assistant Practice Manager for day to day supervision and Practice Manager ultimately.

Person Specification:

• GCSE grade 9-5 (A to C) in English and Maths
• NVQ level 2 Business and Administration
• NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care
• EMIS Web Trained

Experience:

• Experience of Microsoft Office.
• Experience of working with the public/patients.
• Excellent keyboard and computer skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality.
• Pleasant and articulate.
• Flexibility of working hours/able to work at desired times.
• Able to work under pressure.
• Experience of working in a GP practice/NHS Setting.
• Experience of using EMIS Web clinical setting.
• If car driver - clean licence.

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.