Patient Relations Executive

This combined role brings together the responsibilities of a Patient Relations Executive and a Patient Affairs Specialist. It sits at the heart of patient‑facing operations in a private, specialist healthcare environment. The successful candidate will deliver an exceptional, five‑star patient experience from first point of contact through to discharge, while supporting the administrative and operational needs of the clinical team.

Job Summary

As Patient Relations Executive, you will be the welcoming face of the clinic. You will manage patient intake and registration, coordinate GP and specialist referrals, support scheduling, and handle administrative processes with accuracy and care. You will work closely with clinical, nursing and operations teams to keep patient flow running smoothly, and you will develop trusted professional relationships with patients and their families so they always feel valued, safe and well looked after.

Core Responsibilities

1. Patient Reception and Hospitality

• Welcome and greet new and returning patients with professionalism and warmth.
• Guide patients through the check‑in and registration process with the Patient Affairs team, ensuring a smooth, stress‑free arrival.
• Provide clear information about clinic services, appointments and procedures.
• Maintain an inviting, five‑star waiting and reception environment at all times.
• Escalate any safeguarding, welfare or patient safety concerns to the appropriate clinical lead.

2. Patient Liaison and Journey Coordination

• Act as the first point of contact for patients, families and corporate clients in person and remotely.
• Manage patient intake from registration through to checkout, ensuring all touchpoints are handled with care.
• Coordinate GP and specialist consultations and book external imaging, diagnostics and referrals.
• Handle appointment scheduling, confirmations, follow‑ups and patient reminders.
• Guide patients through the full clinic process including consultations, diagnostics, pharmacy and billing.

3. Diary and Facility Management

• Oversee doctor and clinic schedules, managing any changes or cancellations promptly.
• Coordinate with clinical and operations teams to maintain efficient patient flow and minimise waiting times.
• Keep the front desk organised, fully stocked and professionally presented throughout each shift.
• Support efficient utilisation of clinician diaries and clinic capacity.

4. Administrative and Financial Support

• Register new patients and maintain accurate, up‑to‑date records in the clinic's EMR system.
• Process patient notes, letters and correspondence in a timely manner.
• Handle patient new‑packs and welcome documentation.
• Support billing enquiries and liaise with the finance team where needed.
• Process patient payments and maintain accurate financial records in accordance with clinic procedures.
• Ensure all handling of patient information complies with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and CQC standards.

5. Patient Experience and Relationship Management

• Build long‑term relationships with patients so they feel welcomed, valued and safe at every visit.
• Address patient inquiries and concerns in person, by phone and by email with empathy and professionalism.
• Handle complaints calmly and effectively, escalating to the appropriate team member when required.
• Gather patient feedback and share insights with the operations team to support continuous improvement.

6. Workflow and Process Improvement

• Identify gaps in patient experience and propose practical improvements to workflows and service delivery.
• Support initiatives to improve patient engagement, satisfaction and operational efficiency.
• Participate in training programmes, staff meetings and quality improvement activities.
• Assist with CQC compliance activities and contribute to accreditation and audit processes.

7. Digital and Administrative Systems

• Use the clinic's electronic medical records (EMR) and CRM systems to support patient interactions and scheduling.
• Maintain proficiency in MS Office and any other digital tools used across the clinic.

Key Requirements and Skills

Experience

• Experience in private healthcare, healthcare administration, hospitality or premium customer service environments.
• Minimum two years of front desk, patient affairs or customer service experience in a healthcare environment.
• Familiarity with private medical insurance processes and UK healthcare administration standards.

Communication

• Impeccable verbal and written communication skills in English.
• High emotional intelligence, empathy and the ability to de‑escalate sensitive or distressing situations.
• Culturally sensitive with the ability to support patients from a range of backgrounds.

Organisation

• Outstanding organisational ability with the capacity to manage multiple diaries, multitask and prioritise without clinical delay.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly when handling patient records, insurance verification and scheduling.

Professionalism and Confidentiality

• Impeccable personal presentation in line with private healthcare standards.
• High level of discretion in handling patient information in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Calm, patient and composed under pressure with a proactive and solution‑focused approach.

Technical Proficiency

• Confident user of EMR or healthcare management systems and CRM tools.
• Proficient in MS Office including Word, Excel and Outlook.

Qualifications

• Educated to A‑Level standard or equivalent. Degree desirable but not essential.
• Knowledge of CQC standards and UK private healthcare regulatory requirements is an advantage.
• First Aid certification is desirable.

Regulatory and Compliance Context

This role operates within the regulatory framework of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The postholder must adhere to the clinic's infection prevention and control programmes, support patient safety standards and maintain compliance with all relevant UK healthcare legislation.

Key Competencies

• Patient Focus – Puts the patient first in every interaction. Anticipates needs before being asked.
• Communication – Clear, warm and professional across all channels. Adapts tone to each patient.
• Organisation – Manages competing demands calmly. Nothing falls through the cracks.
• Discretion – Handles sensitive information with absolute confidentiality.
• Team Contribution – Supports colleagues proactively. Raises issues constructively.
• Continuous Improvement – Looks for better ways to serve patients and streamline processes.