About this role
Job summary
We have a vacancy for a Patient Services Assistant to join our friendly and supportive team. We are based in the beautiful market town of Blandford Forum, a short drive from Wimborne, Poole, Dorchester and Bournemouth.
As a Patient Services Assistant you would be expected to deal with inquiries from patients via telephone, email and online requests. If you dont have a health background dont worry, we will provide a tailored training program. The role is based across our three sites, so you must be able to drive and have access to a car.
We are ideally looking for someone who is willing to work 26 hours with the following work pattern: Monday 8am-7pm with an hour lunch break, Tuesday 8am-7pm with an hour lunch break and Friday 1pm to 7pm. Wednesdays and Thursdays would be day off! Interviews will be held on 10th July.
Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and proof of Right to Work will be required upon successful appointment. Previous applicants need not apply.
Main duties of the job
To take telephone and online requests from patients and accurately record all essential information on the clinical system To answer/make telephone calls in a professional manner, ensuring important/appropriate information is documented and redirected accordingly and to accurately take messages To provide accurate and up to date information to answer the enquiries of patients and visitors, where necessary seeking the advice of others, and responding to and/or redirecting all patient and visitor requests accordingly To accurately maintain and update appointment systems, booking in patients and visitors To ensure Reception, waiting areas, notice boards and clinical rooms are maintained in a clean and tidy state Register new patients and process patient data on the computer and in medical records. Receive, assist and signpost patients to the appropriate service or healthcare professional. 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.
About us
At The Blandford Group Practice, we continually strive to create a workplace culture that parallels our core values focusing on ethical attitude, open communication, and strategic & continuous self-development. We are an inclusive and diverse workplace that empowers our team to work collaboratively to complete their best work for the benefit of the local community.
Our Practice was rated as 'Outstanding' by CQC in late 2025.
What can we offer?
5 weeks pro rated annual leave plus Bank Holidays Enrolment into the NHS Pension Enhanced sick leave once passed probation Eyecare Vouchers Free parking at all sites Annual pay reviewIf youre keen to make difference to the lives of others and want to join a dedicated and friendly NHS team that offers NHS terms and conditions and pension scheme, wed love to hear from you!
Job description Job responsibilities
About Us
At the Blandford Group Practice we are passionate about making a difference to our patients health and wellbeing. We pride ourselves on being a friendly and welcoming team. We deliver NHS services from three surgeries across Blandford and employ a variety of non-clinical staff and health professionals such as GP's, Nurses, Physios, Mental Health Practitioner, Pharmacists and Paramedics. We are part of the NHS Pension Scheme.
Job Summary
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
Job Responsibilities
Administration
To have a thorough knowledge of all Practice procedures.
Supporting with cancelling and moving appointments
To work in accordance with written protocols
Collecting/filing paper notes as required/requested
Photocopy as requested
Issue bills, collect monies and give receipts for non-NHS fees.
Distribute patient communications via the front desk as and when needed.
Liaise with other team members across the Practice to provide the best service for patients.
Deal with clinician requests for follow up appointments with patients
Reception
Welcome and check in patients for their booked appointments.
Be able to cover all reception positions as necessary to include the front desk, online triage, phones, and admin tasks.
Appointments
Process appointment requests for on the day and future appointments from patients by telephone, online triage, and in person.
Deal with visits requests
Computer
Thorough knowledge of Outlook, SystmOne, and any other system used by the Practice relevant to the job role.
Telephone
Have working knowledge of the telephone system, telephone groups, and voicemails.
Work within recommended targets provided by Patient Services Team Manager.
Other Tasks
Ensure building security have thorough knowledge of doors/windows/alarm.
Keep reception area clean and tidy.
Any other tasks allocated by managers
Complete opening and closing checks as required.
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
Vulnerable Adults, Children & Young People
All members of staff have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people in all relevant areas of their work. This will include timely attendance at relevant training events and compliance with the Practices Policies and Procedures and Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Inter-Agency Safeguarding Procedures.
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 Essential
Evidence of supporting patients or customers face to face or via telephone Good level of written and verbal communication
Desirable
Experience of customer care and helping patients or customers Evidence of qualifications in respect of using Microsoft Office / PC Skills
Experience Essential
Experience of working in a public reception environment Experience of telephone switchboard operation Experience of dealing with the public/patients
Desirable
Experience of SystmOne clinical system
Skills and Knowledge Essential
Excellent keyboard and computer skills Excellent communication skills Driving licence and access to a car
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.
Employer details Employer name The Blandford Group Practice
Address Whitecliff Surgery
White Cliff Mill Street
Blandford Forum
Dorset
DT117BH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.theblandfordgrouppractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)