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Saltdean & Rottingdean Medical Practice

GP Medical Secretary (Maternity Cover)

The closing date is 17 April 2026

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Job summary

We are seeking a highly organised and experienced Medical Secretary to join our friendly GP practice team on a temporary maternity cover basis. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled administrator with experience in SystmOne and the NHS e-Referral Service (eRS) to play a key role supporting our clinicians and ensuring patients receive timely and efficient care.

This full-time role is uniquely structured over 4 days (including Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), offering a fantastic balance for the right candidate. The role will suit someone who thrives in a busy primary care environment, has excellent attention to detail, and is confident managing referrals, correspondence, and sensitive patient information.

Contract Information

This is a temporary maternity cover position.

The anticipated start date for this role is May 2026, with the contract expected to run until approximately March 2027. Please note that as this role is covering maternity leave, the end date may be subject to change depending on the return of the post holder.

A short handover period with the current post holder may be available depending on the start date.

Main duties of the job

We are looking to recruit an experienced Medical Secretary to join our busy GP practice team on a temporary maternity cover basis.

The successful candidate will provide comprehensive secretarial and administrative support to GPs and the wider clinical team. The role involves managing clinical correspondence, processing referrals, supporting patient administration processes, and ensuring urgent work is prioritised appropriately.

Applicants must have recent medical secretarial experience and the ability to work efficiently within a fast-paced primary care environment. Experience using SystmOne and the NHS e-Referral Service (eRS) is essential.

Important Information

Due to the nature of this role, applicants must have previous medical secretarial experience and be confident working within a healthcare environment.

This full-time role is structured over a 4-day working week (including Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with the fourth day to be agreed), providing and excellent opportunity for a skilled professional seeking a better work-life balance while maintaining a key role within our team.

About us

We are a busy GP practice providing high-quality primary care services to our local community. Our team includes GPs, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and a dedicated administrative and reception team who work collaboratively to support patient care.

We are committed to creating a supportive working environment and delivering efficient, patient-focused services. We pride ourselves on being a supportive and collaborative practice; to ensure you feel confident and hit the ground running, we aim to provide a comprehensive handover.

Details

Date posted

17 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Compressed hours

Reference number

A2539-26-0000

Job locations

Grand Ocean, Longridge Avenue

Saltdean

Brighton

East Sussex

BN2 8BU


Job description

Job responsibilities

The Medical Secretary will provide administrative and secretarial support to the clinical team, ensuring referrals and patient correspondence are managed efficiently and accurately.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Audio typing and processing GP dictations, prioritising urgent and Two Week Wait (2WW) referrals.
  • Preparing and sending referrals using SystmOne and the NHS e-Referral Service (eRS).
  • Managing and actioning clinical tasks received from GPs, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, enhanced access clinicians and administrative teams.
  • Processing referrals generated from clinical letters and correspondence.
  • Chasing hospitals and external providers for referral outcomes, appointments or additional information where required.
  • Sending supporting documentation such as blood results, patient summaries and clinic letters to hospitals and other healthcare providers.
  • Monitoring and processing incoming clinical correspondence and Advice & Guidance responses within eRS.
  • Managing and responding to email requests from hospitals, nursing homes, community services and other healthcare organisations.
  • Supporting the administrative process following patient deaths, including preparing documentation and referrals for the Medical Examiner.
  • Ensuring patient records are updated accurately and confidential information is handled in line with NHS policies.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Medical Secretary will provide administrative and secretarial support to the clinical team, ensuring referrals and patient correspondence are managed efficiently and accurately.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Audio typing and processing GP dictations, prioritising urgent and Two Week Wait (2WW) referrals.
  • Preparing and sending referrals using SystmOne and the NHS e-Referral Service (eRS).
  • Managing and actioning clinical tasks received from GPs, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, enhanced access clinicians and administrative teams.
  • Processing referrals generated from clinical letters and correspondence.
  • Chasing hospitals and external providers for referral outcomes, appointments or additional information where required.
  • Sending supporting documentation such as blood results, patient summaries and clinic letters to hospitals and other healthcare providers.
  • Monitoring and processing incoming clinical correspondence and Advice & Guidance responses within eRS.
  • Managing and responding to email requests from hospitals, nursing homes, community services and other healthcare organisations.
  • Supporting the administrative process following patient deaths, including preparing documentation and referrals for the Medical Examiner.
  • Ensuring patient records are updated accurately and confidential information is handled in line with NHS policies.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Previous medical secretarial experience, ideally within primary care.
  • Experience using SystmOne.
  • Experience using the NHS e-Referral Service - eRS.
  • Experience with audio typing or dictation.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
  • Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
  • Ability to prioritise urgent work and manage a varied workload.
  • Good teamwork skills and ability to work independently when required.

Desirable

  • Experience working in an NHS GP Practice or primary care setting.
  • Knowledge of 2WW referral pathways and NHS referral processes.
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Previous medical secretarial experience, ideally within primary care.
  • Experience using SystmOne.
  • Experience using the NHS e-Referral Service - eRS.
  • Experience with audio typing or dictation.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
  • Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
  • Ability to prioritise urgent work and manage a varied workload.
  • Good teamwork skills and ability to work independently when required.

Desirable

  • Experience working in an NHS GP Practice or primary care setting.
  • Knowledge of 2WW referral pathways and NHS referral processes.

Employer details

Employer name

Saltdean & Rottingdean Medical Practice

Address

Grand Ocean, Longridge Avenue

Saltdean

Brighton

East Sussex

BN2 8BU


Employer's website

https://www.saltdeanrottingdeansurgery.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Saltdean & Rottingdean Medical Practice

Address

Grand Ocean, Longridge Avenue

Saltdean

Brighton

East Sussex

BN2 8BU


Employer's website

https://www.saltdeanrottingdeansurgery.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Administration Manager

Jane Langley

jane.langley@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

17 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Compressed hours

Reference number

A2539-26-0000

Job locations

Grand Ocean, Longridge Avenue

Saltdean

Brighton

East Sussex

BN2 8BU


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