Medical Receptionist in Newcastle upon Tyne

Our aim is to provide a high quality, caring and personal health care service to our whole patient population by putting our patients at the centre of what we do, having a highly qualified and trained multi-professional integrated primary Healthcare Team, and offering our services in a safe, supportive and suitably equipped environment, using technological advances in healthcare systems for our patients' benefit.

Main duties of the job:

• Answering the telephone, booking appointments and conveying messages
• Managing requests for repeat prescriptions and liaising with pharmacy when appropriate
• Managing, maintaining and distributing the mail, emails and other incoming communications
• Ensuring that patients receive reliable information and sound advice drawing on GPs/other staff as appropriate
• Explaining practice arrangements to new patients
• Ensuring that all incoming calls are received in a timely manner whilst ensuring appropriate attention is given to every patient. Diverting or passing messages to other team members where appropriate.
• Arranging transport for high risk register patients
• Charging patients the appropriate amount for private work, providing a receipt to the patient and recording the charge in the petty cash book
• Helping with the sorting and filing of medical records
• Recording appropriate notes on patient records in accordance with practice protocols and good record keeping guidance
• Distribution and collection of questionnaires
• Ensuring the procedure for opening and closing the Surgery is carried out, including making sure security is given priority.
• Actively participating in staff and other meetings
• Maintaining a list of surgery contacts including staff telephone numbers, partner organisation contact numbers.
• Providing support in carrying out administrative tasks

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. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

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, the practice health & safety manual, and the practice infection control policy and published procedures.

Equality and diversity:

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

Quality:

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice.

Communication:

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team.

Person Specification:

• 4 GCSEs at Grade 5 and above OR equivalent
• Attainment of NVQ Level 3 in business administration or equivalent experience
• Experience in dealing with patients or members of the public.
• Experience of working in an administrative environment and working with computerised data systems.
• Experience in working directly with clinicians, managers, and other staff on patient related concerns.
• Experience working in the NHS.
• Clear communicator with good telephone manner
• Well-developed IT and keyboard skills
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word
• Proactive, can work using own initiative and organise and prioritise to deadlines
• Team player, works effectively with other team members and is supportive of them
• Flexible, willing and prepared to undertake work across the Team
• Deals calmly and sensitively with dynamic situations and sometimes sensitive and upsetting issues

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.