Medical Receptionist (GHAC & Matson Lane Surgery)

We are a friendly GP practice based in Gloucester looking for a medical receptionist to join our reception team. Candidates will need to be computer literate with excellent communication skills, passionate about working in the NHS and helping to support the local community. You will be self-motivated and willing to help out in other areas of the practice, as required. The successful candidate will be based over both Gloucester Health Access Centre & Matson Lane Surgery, working in a friendly and supportive team.

Main duties of the job:

• 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.
• Undertake a variety of administrative duties to assist in the smooth running of the practice.
• Facilitate effective communication between patients, members of the primary health care team, secondary care and other associated healthcare agencies.

Job responsibilities:

• Opening up/locking up of Practice premises and maintaining security in accordance with Practice protocols.
• Maintaining and monitoring the Practice appointments system.
• Processing personal, telephone and electronic/online requests for appointments, visits and consultations, and ensuring callers are directed to the appropriate healthcare professional.
• Processing and distributing incoming (and outgoing) mail (post and electronic).
• Taking messages and passing on information.
• Filing and retrieving paperwork/electronic data.
• Processing 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.
• 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; loading and emptying the dishwasher and keeping the kitchen area clean and tidy.
• Keeping the reception area, notice boards and leaflet dispensers tidy and free from obstructions and clutter.

Working conditions:

• Frequent, prolonged VDU use.
• Time pressured environment.
• High levels of accuracy and attention to detail essential at all times.
• Exposure to distressing situations and written material.
• Variable working hours by rota.
• Requirement to wear uniform.

Other responsibilities:

• Awareness of and compliance with all relevant G DOC policies/guidelines for your role, e.g. prescribing, confidentiality, data protection, health and safety.
• Contributing to evaluation/audit and clinical standard setting within the organisation as applicable to your role.
• Attending training, Practice meetings and other meetings and events organised by the Practice, PCN, or other agencies such as the ICB, where appropriate.
• Contributing to audits and written returns to ensure that the Practice meets quality standards and receives the designated funding, as appropriate to your role.
• Treating colleagues with courtesy and respect.
• Complying with G DOCs values, and the values of your practice/team.
• As part of the Practice team, contributing to the delivery of QOF and enhanced services.
• Contributing to the management and development of the Primary Care Network, including the performance of work undertaken by the Practice as part of the PCN.
• Helping to ensure that the Practice remains safe and effective, including by the use of clinical audit and learning from significant events and complaints.
• Helping to ensure that the Practice provides a supportive working environment for clinicians, trainees and other employees.
• Supporting colleagues' learning and professional development, as well as your own.
• Helping to ensure that the Practice complies with CQC requirements for primary care, including all fundamental standards of care.
• You will be required to be immunised in compliance with Green Book and NHS recommendations for your role (unless medically exempt).
• Ensuring that you always work within your own competencies and training.
• Observing health and safety guidelines at all times.

Confidentiality:

• Comply with the Confidentiality Agreement.

Health & Safety:

• Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, you have a personal responsibility to have regard to your own and others' safety.
• You should familiarise yourself with fire exits at all sites where you work, and the action that you should take in the event of a fire.
• Personal alarms are available from G DOC for all GPs, wherever you are working.
• Your site induction should cover local procedures for summoning external help. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with these local procedures.
• You must comply with site Health and Safety procedures, including those that concern clinical waste, use of hazardous substances, and the use and disposal of sharps.
• Health and safety hazards should be reported to the Practice Manager.
• You should dress appropriately and professionally. To reduce the risk of sharps injuries, shoes should be closed (not open sandals).
• You must ensure that your car is insured for commuting and for any business use, if applicable (e.g. home visits if part of your role).

Infection Control:

• Undertaking training, and following policies and processes, as appropriate to your role.

Safeguarding:

• Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Even staff who do not routinely have contact with patients may become aware of a safeguarding concern.
• You will ensure you are familiar with G DOCs safeguarding procedures.
• Report all concerns promptly, following the safeguarding procedures.
• Ensure that you maintain an appropriate level of safeguarding training for your role.
• Contribute to meetings and other safeguarding processes, as appropriate to your role.

Equality and Diversity:

• You will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:
• Acting in a way that recognises the importance of people's rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation.
• Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers, and colleagues.

Quality and Patient Safety:

• You will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will:
• Alert other team members to any concerns about clinical governance or quality and risk; participate in Significant Event Analysis reviews.
• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision.
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the team's performance.
• Work effectively with other agencies to meet patients' needs.
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.
• Avoid working if you are impaired from doing so safely or effectively, for example due to illness.
• If relevant to your role, ensure that any necessary handover and follow-up arrangements for patients have been made.
• Inform your line manager if you have concerns about a colleague that might affect patient safety.
• Inform your line manager of any complaints or significant events that have arisen from your work for G DOC.
• Participate in investigations of any complaints or significant events, if asked to do so.
• Inform your line manager immediately if you have been charged with any criminal offence.
• If you are in a regulated profession (e.g. nurse, doctor, pharmacist, accountant), comply with your regulator's guidance.
• Inform your line manager immediately if you are under investigation by your regulator.
• Inform your line manager immediately if you have any restrictions or conditions imposed on your practice by your regulator.

Personal/Professional Development:

• You will ensure that your mandatory training remains up to date.
• You will participate in any training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment, such training to include:
• Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development.
• Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

Communication:

• You should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to.