About this role
Job summary
We are an 11,000 patient Practice on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent and are looking for a Receptionist to join our hard-working dedicated team.
You must have an excellent attendance record, be a good timekeeper, able to work under pressure and enjoy working as part of a team. The successful candidate will be flexible, motivated, reliable, conscientious and committed to making a valuable contribution to the team
Working hours are 8am-7pm. This is split into three shifts throughout the day. We are also open half day on Saturdays. Candidates should be available to work during these times.
Main duties of the job
Answering telephones, booking triages and appointments
Assisting GP as chaperone when required
Undertaking all mandatory training as required
Completing referrals to the local community nursing team(s) when necessary
Ensure and 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
Explain Practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover and ensure procedures are completed
Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery
Enter patient information on the computer as required
About us
We have one main site in Sheerness, with three other branch sites at Eastchurch, Warden Bay & Leysdown
Job description Job responsibilities
Answering telephones, booking triages and appointments
Assisting GP as chaperone when required
Undertaking all mandatory training as required
Completing referrals to the local community nursing team(s) when necessary
Ensure and 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
Using your own judgement and communication skills; 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
Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery
Action repeat prescription request and ensure that they are ready for collection by the patient within 48 working hours, either on the computer or manually
Advise patients of relevant charges for private services; letters, medicals, etc.
Enter patient information on the computer as required
Retrieve and re-file patient records as required, ensuring strict alphabetical order is adhered to.
Ensure correspondence, reports, results, etc. are filed promptly and in the correct records
Updating patient contact information and addresses as appropriate
Communication
The post holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:
Communicate effectively with other team members
Communicate effectively with patients and carers
Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly
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
Qualities
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
This job description is a reflection of the current position and may change in emphasis or detail in the light of subsequent development, in consultation with the post holder.
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 Health & Safety manual, and the Practice Infection Control policy and published procedures. This will 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
Actively reporting of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised
Keeping own work areas and general/patient areas generally clean, assisting in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness consistent with the scope of the post-holders role
Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually)
Reporting potential risks identified
Demonstrate due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
Equality & Diversity
The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:
Acting in a way that recognises 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-judgemental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights
Person Specification
Experience Desirable
EMIS and Docman preferred but training will be given
Knowledge & Skills Essential
Excellent customer service skills Ability to cope with change & / or conflicting demands Ability to communicate well at all levels Excellent telephone manner Works well under pressure on their own or as part of a team Good personal time management and priority setting Must be courteous & focused on providing a consistently high standard of customer service Ability to interact well with a wide range of personality types High level of attention to detail Ability to multi-task and make decisions in a fast-paced environment
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 St Georges Medical Centre
Address 55 St Georges Avenue
Sheerness
Kent
ME12 1QU
Employer's website https://www.saintgeorgesmedicalcentre.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)