About this role
Job summary
Do you have a friendly voice, a calm manner, and a passion for helping people? At Sharnbrook Surgery, our reception team is the first point of contact for our patients - they are that reassuring voice on the other end of the phone and the welcoming smile at the desk.
Are you dependable, organised and able to juggle multiple tasks whilst remaining calm even on the busiest of days?
Do you want to work for a close-knit, multidisciplinary team who support each other through the busy days and celebrate the wins together. An organisation who values open communication, flexible working, and a healthy work-life balance? Well this is what it is like to work for Sharnbrook Surgery!
If you are reading this and think, this is me! This is the kind of organisation I would like to work for! Then we would welcome your application for the role of Receptionist.
There is one part-time vacancy for 20hours per week. The working days are to be confirmed, however, please note that the successful candidate will be required to over 3 days, one 0800-1700, one 0930-1830 and one 1200-1600 per week.
The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to be flexible to do additional hours if required and offer flexibility for swaps etc. to support the needs of the service.
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 21st October 2026.
Main duties of the job
As Receptionist you will be the first point of contact for patients, providing a friendly, professional welcome both in person and over the phone. You will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of the practice through carrying out a wide range of administration duties including, but not limited to booking patient appointments, opening post, scanning health records, processing the registration of new patients and supporting both clinical and non-clinical colleagues.
The role offers variety and opportunities to enhance existing skills and learn new ones. No two days will ever be the same.
About us
At Sharnbrook Surgery we aim to provide the highest quality healthcare to our patients. We commit to provide effective and efficient care in a sensitive considerate and confidential manner. Our care delivery systems make the best use of all available resources.
We are a close knit multidisciplinary team who support each other, celebrate successes together, and make sure no one faces a challenging day alone.
Due to the location of our surgery we will unfortunately only consider applicants who are able to reliably commute to and from work without reliance upon the limited public transport links e.g. drives own car, walks or cycles.
Job description Job responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities
The following are the core responsibilities of the Receptionist. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:
Maintaining and monitoring the practice appointment system i.e. make / cancel / rearrange appointments via the clinical system
Processing of new and temporary registrations, patient discharges and all associated patient information as required ensuring accuracy and timely completion.
Scan patient medical records, results and letters as required.
Answer incoming phone calls, transferring calls or dealing with the callers request appropriately.
Signpost and support patients to the correct services as advised and/or as per pre-determined pathways.
Ensure patient information is always up to date and accurate.
Greet patients and visitors arriving at the reception desk, ensuring they have checked in. As appropriate ensure support is required in these tasks.
Observe patients and visitors in the waiting room and alert an appropriate member of staff to any concerns or issues. This includes any wellbeing and security concerns.
Ensure the waiting and reception areas are kept tidy and that information displayed is up to date. Updating noticeboards with regular health promotions.
Ensure effective communications, regularly updating the Team Leader of any issues.
Initiating contact with and responding to, requests from patients, team members and external agencies.
Always ensure confidentiality and professionalism with patients, visitors and colleagues.
Assist in maintaining the safety of staff, patients and visitors.
Always maintain a clean, tidy and effective working area, ensuring compliance with the Surgerys clear desk policy at the end of each working day. This includes wiping down workstation to maintain infection, prevention and control standards.
Carry out any other duties as reasonably requested by colleagues.
Manage all queries as necessary in an efficient and timely manner.
Support colleagues throughout the surgery with general tasks as requested and appropriate
Secondary Responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Receptionist may be requested to:
Partake in audit as directed.
Provide cross cover during planned and unplanned absences.
Arrange and take minutes at meetings as required and appropriate.
Raise orders for surgery consumables such as toners, hand towels etc. as instructed and required.
Complete opening and closing procedures in accordance with the duty rota.
Support the OM with regular premises checks such as fire alarm testing and water testing as required.
From time to time, individuals may be asked to take on tasks or projects outside their core responsibilities. We see this as an opportunity for individuals to broaden their skills, collaborate with different teams, and contribute to our shared success. These additional duties will always be reasonable, aligned with the individuals role, and designed to support both professional growth and the needs of the business.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Experience of working with the public Experience of carrying out administrative duties to a high standard Experience of delivering excellent customer service
Desirable
Experience of working within a healthcare setting.
Qualifications Essential
Educated to GCSE level or equivalent, with GCSE Mathematics & English (Min of Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent.
Desirable
NVQ level 2 (or equivalent) in job related subjects such as Customer Service or Business Administration.
Skills Essential
Excellent communication skills (written and oral) Strong IT skills
Desirable
Working knowledge of Total Triage or a similar IT system Working knowledge of EMIS / Systmone / Vision user skills Advanced proficiency with healthcare IT systems and software
Additional Criteria Essential
Able to reliably comute to work without reliance upon public transport.
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 Sharnbrook Surgery
Address Templars Way
Sharnbrook
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK44 1PZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.sharnbrooksurgery.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)