Receptionist in Croydon

The GP Receptionist is a key front‑line role within an NHS GP practice, acting as the first point of contact for patients, carers, and visitors. The role is essential in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the practice on a daily basis. You will provide a professional, caring, and confidential reception and administrative service, supporting both patients and the clinical team. This includes managing appointments, handling telephone and face‑to‑face enquiries, processing prescriptions, and maintaining accurate patient records using clinical systems such as EMIS Web.

Working in a busy primary care environment, the role requires excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm and organised under pressure. You will play an important part in ensuring patients are directed to the right services and receive timely, appropriate care. Overall, the GP Receptionist role is vital in supporting high‑quality patient care and contributing to the effective running of the NHS GP practice.

• Provide a professional and welcoming reception service to patients, carers, and visitors
• Answer telephone calls promptly, deal with enquiries, and signpost patients appropriately
• Book, cancel, and manage appointments using clinical systems (e.g. EMIS/SystmOne)
• Process repeat prescription requests in line with practice procedures
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date patient records, ensuring confidentiality at all times
• Scan, file, and process incoming/outgoing correspondence and clinical documents
• Support clinicians with administrative tasks, including referrals and follow‑ups
• Deal with patient queries in a calm and professional manner, including difficult or distressed individuals
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, NHS policies, and practice procedures
• Work effectively as part of a team in a busy, fast‑paced primary care environment

St James Medical Centre is an NHS GP practice located in West Croydon, serving a patient population of around 9,800 patients across Croydon and the surrounding area. The practice provides a wide range of primary care services, including general medical consultations, chronic disease management (such as asthma and COPD), health screenings, vaccinations, and minor procedures. It operates from its main site at 189a St James Road, Croydon and also runs a branch surgery at Castle Hill Surgery in New Addington, allowing it to support patients across multiple local communities. The clinical team includes GPs, nurses, healthcare assistants, and specialist staff such as a diabetic nurse and counsellor/psychotherapist, working together to deliver coordinated patient care. The practice is rated Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and has been established for over 25 years, with a strong focus on providing accessible, community‑based NHS healthcare. It is also a training practice, hosting medical students from Kings College London and St George’s University, contributing to the development of future healthcare professionals. Overall, St James Medical Centre is a busy, urban NHS GP practice focused on delivering high‑quality, accessible care while supporting a diverse local population.

• Customer service, reception, or administrative experience in a busy environment
• Experience dealing with members of the public in person and/or by telephone
• Experience using IT systems for data entry, emails, and general administration
• Experience handling confidential or sensitive information appropriately
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Strong telephone manner and ability to deal with enquiries professionally
• Ability to prioritise workload, manage time effectively, and remain calm and professional under pressure
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Team working skills and ability to support colleagues
• Understanding of confidentiality and GDPR in a healthcare setting
• Basic understanding of safeguarding and patient safety
• Familiarity with clinical systems such as EMIS Web or SystmOne
• Knowledge of NHS primary care services and how GP practices operate
• Proactive attitude, flexible, and willing to learn new systems and procedures

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.