Receptionist (20 hours) 12 Months Fixed Term Contract in Chesterfield

The Springs Medical Partnership is based in the heart of Clowne, with a list size of over 11,500 patients. We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic part-time receptionist to join our friendly team. The ideal candidate will relish the challenge of working in general practice, communicating with and helping our local practice population.

Main duties of the job

• The role is a mixture of patient facing, telephone and general administrative duties, on a rota basis.
• Customer service / patient facing experience and basic IT skills are essential.
• Previous experience in a health care environment would be helpful but is not essential.
• You will be required to work Monday to Friday between 8am and 6.30pm (8pm on Tuesday), on a rota basis.

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.
• Use our clinical system, Systm1, in an efficient and safe manner.
• Contact patients to arrange medication reviews, minor operations and chronic disease reviews.
• Use your own judgment and communication skills to 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.
• Enter requests for home visits onto the clinical system, ensuring careful recording of all relevant details and where necessary refer to Duty Doctor.
• Action repeat prescription requests and ensure that they are sent electronically via EPS within 48 hours.
• Advise patients of relevant charges for private (non General Medical Services) services, accept payment and issue receipts for same.
• Enter patient information on to the computer as required.
• Undertake any other additional duties appropriate to the post as requested by the Partners or the Practice Manager.

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.

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 recognizes 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.

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 recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

• Communicate effectively with other team members.
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers.
• Recognize 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

• Educated to GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in English and Maths.

Experience

• Experience of dealing with the general public.
• Experience in working flexibly as part of a team.
• Experience of dealing with telephone enquiries.
• Ability to work under pressure.

Personal Attributes

• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Adaptable.
• Pleasant and courteous manner.
• Ability to work on own initiative.

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.