Bank Receptionist

Southgates and The Woottons Surgeries are based in King's Lynn and we have a long and proud history of excellent patient care. We are looking for a Receptionist to join our experienced team. You will be part of a friendly and professional team. The working hours to be covered are 07:45-18:30. This role is a bank role to cover sickness and holidays, with no guaranteed hours.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent interpersonal and organisational skills as well as a level of competency in IT. Ideally you will be a team player who is adaptable and can demonstrate outstanding communication skills, motivation, initiative and a willingness to learn. We are seeking a candidate with ideally at least 3 GCSEs grade A-C, one of which to be English.

Job responsibilities

• Receive, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient and effective way.
• Provide 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.
• Ensure an effective and efficient reception service is provided to patients and any other visitors to the practice.
• Deal with all general enquiries, explain procedures and make new and follow-up appointments.
• Using your own judgment and communication skills ensure that patients with no prior appointment but who need urgent consultation are seen in a logical and non-disruptive manner.
• Explain practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover and ensure procedures are completed.
• Receive and make telephone calls as required. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery.
• When necessary, enter requests for home visits onto the computer, ensuring careful recording of all relevant details and where necessary refer to Duty Doctor.
• Action repeat prescription requests and ensure that they are ready for collection by the patient within 48 hours.
• Advise patients of relevant charges for private (non NHS) services, accept payment and issue receipts for same.
• Enter patient information and appropriate codes on to the computer as required.
• Monitor and complete clinical system tasks as required by the Reception Supervisor, Practice Manager and GPs.
• Scan medical documents into clinical computer system and redirect to GPs for action.
• Open up premises at the start of the day when first to arrive, de-activate alarm and make all necessary preparations to receive patients.
• When last to leave at the end of the day, ensure that the building is totally secured, internal lights are off and the alarm activated.
• Undertake any other additional duties appropriate to the post as requested by the Reception Supervisor or the Practice Manager.
• Attend team and practice meetings.
• Give results and/or information to the patient as directed by the doctors.
• Accept and ensure all specimens are clearly labelled and pass on to Healthcare staff for appropriate recording prior to collection by hospital transport.

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately. In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential. 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 assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:

• Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines.
• Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks.
• Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills.
• Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards.
• Reporting potential risks identified to the Health and Safety Team immediately.

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:

• Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples 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.
• Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Personal/Professional Development

The post-holder 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.
• Attending all training courses and sessions deemed as mandatory by the Practice Manager.

Quality

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will:

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.
• 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 teams performance.
• Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs.
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

• Communicate effectively with other team members.
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers.
• Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Contribution to the Implementation of Services

The post-holder will:

• Apply practice policies, standards and guidance.
• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work.
• Participate in audit where appropriate.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• 3 GCSE's grade A to C, one of which to be English.

Experience

• Experience of working in a GP Practice.
• Receptionist experience.

Employer name Southgates Medical Centre & The Woottons Surgery

Pay £12.85 to £13.25 an hour. Pay increases with years of service.