At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome patients, manage appointments, and handle enquiries with a smile.
- Company: Join New River Health, a supportive GP practice serving 17,500 patients.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, full training provided, and a chance to make a difference.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a dynamic healthcare environment.
- Why this job: Be the friendly face of healthcare and help your community thrive.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just bring your passion for patient care.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 € per year.
New River Health is a busy GP Practice with 17,500 registered patients across two sites in Hertford and Ware.
We require a full or part‑time Receptionist with excellent communication skills and a commitment to high quality patient care to be part of our team.
There will be morning and afternoon shifts.
Main duties of the job
- The Reception team is the front door to our Practice, and the first people that patients will have contact with. It is a very important role as you are representing the Practice during each and every patient contact.
- You will be welcoming patients and visitors, answering the telephone and answering any enquiries.
- Dealing with prescription requests and queries relating to them
- Liaising with other medical departments such as radiologists, medical specialists or psychologists with professionalism and discretion.
- Assisting patients with necessary forms and documentation that need processing.
- Scanning, filing, and mailing documentation from email or through the clinical system(SystmOne or Docman.)
About us
New River Health is a busy teaching and training practice that provide medical services across two sites in Hertford and Ware. It is a busy but supportive environment, and we value our colleagues in all teams.
Job responsibilities
You will be responsible for the general administrative and reception duties within the Practice and work with our established processes, policies and procedures to provide a comprehensive high-quality service and deal efficiently and courteously with patient enquiries.
Your regular duties in this role will include dealing with telephone, face to face and electronic enquiries, booking and/or amending patient appointments and home visits, contacting patients to provide information from the clinical team and assisting patients to access our services and those available in the wider community.
RECEPTION
Receiving patients, consulting with members of practice team
Processing personal and telephone requests for appointments, telephone consultations and ensuring callers are directed to the appropriate healthcare professional
Register new patients, checking all details for accuracy and entering on computer registration link
Taking messages and passing on information
- Initiating contact with and responding to requests from patients, other team member and associated healthcare agencies and providers
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Processing and distributing paper correspondence received into practice
Process outgoing mail taking to post office and logging in post book
Filing and retrieving paperwork
- Computer data entry/data allocation and collation; processing and recording information in accordance with practice procedures
- Providing clerical assistance to practice staff as required, including word/data processing, filing, photocopying, and scanning
- Keeping the reception area, notice boards, leaflet etc. tidy and presentable
- Cover sickness/annual leave and work reasonable overtime when required.
- Perform any other relevant and reasonable duties that may be requested by the Reception Team Leader, Practice Management team or Partners.
- Undertake statutory and mandatory training as required.
- To provide an efficient word processing service for GPs and health professionals as required. This includes the typing of letters, patient referrals, etc. in an accurate and quality manner.
- To make appointments, bookings and admissions as required.
- To establish and maintain filing and administrative systems so that written or computer information is easily accessible and secure.
- File patient records and correspondence in patient medical records.
- To receive incoming and initiate outgoing telephone calls in order to facilitate timely and appropriate communications with others, taking messages and dealing with appropriate queries.
- To assist with the gathering of information re QOF, Audits, Enhanced service data when required.
- To provide cover for members of the team during periods of sickness and annual leave.
- Carry out administrative tasks relating to patient records, including filing, document management and ensuring patients can access reports, prescriptions and that they are easily accessible.
- Scan patient-related documents onto their medical record using read codes as agreed by the clinical team
- Add any additional information about the source of the document
- Forward the document to the doctor or nurse who initiated the referral or who is most appropriate to receive the information
- Ensure incoming letters are scanned onto the patient record within a 48/72-hour timescale
- Scan all internal paper documents on to the relevant patients record and then store the documents in line with surgery procedures.
APPOINTMENT SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
- Book/edit/cancel appointments and recalls ensuring sufficient information is recorded to retrieve medical record.
- Monitor effectiveness of the system and report any problems or variations required.
Deal with home visit requests, carefully noting all details
MEDICAL RECORDS MANAGEMENT
- Retrieve and refile records as required, ensuring that strict alphabetical order is adhered to.
- Ensure correspondence, reports, results, etc., are filed in correct record.
- Ensure records are kept neat and tidy and in good repair with all necessary information recorded correctly on the outer cover.
Processing repeat prescriptions in accordance with practice guidelines
Handing completed repeat prescriptions to patient and checking names and address.
Other Job Responsibilities
CONFIDENTIALITY
Maintain confidentiality of information, acting within the terms of the Data Protection Act and Caldicott guidance on patient confidentiality at all times.
Maintain an awareness of the Freedom of Information Act.
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 manage their own and others health & safety and infection control as defined in the Practices Health & Safety Policy, the Practice Health & Safety Manual, and the Practices Infection Control Policy and published procedures.
Comply with Practice health & safety policies by following agreed safe working procedures
Actively report health & safety hazards and infection hazards immediately
Keeping work and general areas clean and tidy, and using appropriate infection control procedures to keep work areas hygienic and safe from contamination.
Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually)
Awareness and compliance with national standards of infection control, hygiene, regulatory / contractual / professional requirements, and good practice guidelines.
Correct personal use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and ensuring correct use of PPE by others, advising on appropriate circumstances for use by clinicians, staff and patients.
Reporting incidents using the organisations Incident Reporting System
Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines
Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
The post-holder will support, promote, and maintain the Practices Equality & Diversity Policy.
No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.
The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families.
OTHER DELEGATED DUTIES
This job description is not intended to be exhaustive - it may be changed after consultation with the post holder. The employee shares with the employer the responsibility for review and modification of duties.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- N/A
- Previous experience in a GP practice is desirable but not essential. Full training is given.
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.
GP Receptionist in Hertford employer: New River Health
New River Health is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for GP Receptionists in Hertford and Ware. With a commitment to high-quality patient care, we provide comprehensive training and opportunities for professional growth, ensuring that our team members feel valued and empowered. Our inclusive culture fosters collaboration and respect, making it a rewarding place to contribute to the health and well-being of our community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land GP Receptionist in Hertford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the practice! Research New River Health, its values, and its services. This way, when you walk in for an interview, you can show off your knowledge and enthusiasm for being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Role-play common receptionist scenarios with a friend or family member. This will help you feel more confident when dealing with patient enquiries and phone calls during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! First impressions matter, so make sure you look professional and approachable. A smart outfit can set the tone for a positive interaction with both the interviewers and future patients.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your appreciation and keeping you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate your excitement about the role!
We think you need these skills to ace GP Receptionist in Hertford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:As a GP Receptionist, you'll be the first point of contact for patients, so make sure to highlight your excellent communication skills in your application. Use clear and friendly language to demonstrate how you can create a welcoming atmosphere.
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to read through the job description and tailor your application to match. Mention specific duties like handling patient enquiries or managing appointments to show that you understand the role and are ready to jump in.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we want to see your professional side, don’t forget to let your personality shine through! A touch of warmth and friendliness in your writing can help us see how you'd fit into our supportive team at New River Health.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you're proactive and keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at New River Health
✨Know the Practice Inside Out
Before your interview, take some time to research New River Health. Familiarise yourself with their values, services, and the communities they serve. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you tailor your answers to align with their mission.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a GP Receptionist, excellent communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in previous roles, whether it's handling patient queries or liaising with medical professionals. Practise clear and concise responses to common interview questions.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
The role involves managing appointments and patient records, so be ready to discuss your organisational strategies. Share specific instances where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or improved processes in a busy environment. This will highlight your ability to thrive under pressure.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle sensitive situations. Think about potential challenges you might face as a receptionist and how you would address them. Practising these scenarios can help you respond confidently during the interview.
