Job summary
Purbeck Health Centre is recruiting a part-time Receptionist to join our busy general practice team.
Reception is at the centre of everything we do. This is not a basic admin role. You will be one of the first people patients speak to or see, and the way you manage conversations, appointments and messages directly affects patient care and safety.
This post is for a fixed morning shift:
Monday to Friday 8:00am to 1:30pm
This is a fast-paced working environment with constant patient contact. We are looking for someone who is calm, organised, reliable and genuinely cares about providing good service.
Additional information
You will need to be flexible to help cover sickness or annual leave when required (between 8:00am and 6:30pm).
Please read carefully
This is not a quiet or low-pressure role.
The work is busy and constant, and requires resilience, organisation and a positive attitude. You need to be comfortable working at pace, managing multiple tasks and staying professional during busy periods.
This role suits someone who genuinely wants to work in general practice, understands the responsibility involved, and cares about patient experience.
Main duties of the job
This is a front-facing role at the centre of the practice. You will work on reception and phones, managing a high volume of patient contact throughout the day.
Your role is to welcome patients, handle enquiries in person and by telephone, book and amend appointments, take and pass on messages accurately, and support safe patient access to clinical services.
Clear communication, strong customer service skills and attention to detail are essential.
The work is constant and fast paced. You must be able to prioritise, manage pressure and remain calm, polite and professional at all times. Patients may be anxious, frustrated or distressed, and you are expected to respond in a supportive and respectful way.
Accuracy matters. You will be responsible for recording information correctly, following processes carefully, handling confidential information safely and ensuring messages are passed on without delay.
You will work closely with clinical and administrative colleagues and are expected to be reliable, punctual and consistent. Taking responsibility for your work and doing things properly is important in this role.
About us
Purbeck Health Centre is a GP-led practice serving a diverse local population.
We are a busy practice with clear standards and a strong focus on safe, reliable patient care. Our team includes GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists and a dedicated reception and administrative team. The practice is supported day to day by a Practice Manager and Deputy Practice Manager.
Our reception team plays a key role in how patients experience the practice. The service you provide and the way you present yourself matters. We work as a team, support one another and take pride in delivering a service patients can trust.
Working at Purbeck Health Centre suits people who care about doing the job properly and being part of a committed team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This is a front-facing role at the centre of the practice. You will work on reception and phones, managing a high volume of patient contact throughout the day.
You will welcome patients, handle enquiries in person and by telephone, book and amend appointments, take and pass on messages accurately, and support safe patient access to clinical services. The way you communicate and manage information directly affects patient care, so clear communication, strong customer service skills and attention to detail are essential.
The work is constant and fast paced. You must be able to prioritise tasks, manage pressure and remain calm, polite and professional at all times. Patients may be anxious, frustrated or distressed, and you are expected to respond in a supportive, respectful and controlled way.
Accuracy matters in this role. You will be responsible for recording information correctly, following practice processes carefully, handling confidential information safely and ensuring messages are passed on without delay. Mistakes in reception can affect patient care, so taking responsibility for doing things properly is important.
You will work closely with clinical and administrative colleagues and are expected to be reliable, punctual and consistent. You will contribute to the smooth running of the day, support colleagues during busy periods and help maintain a welcoming, organised and professional reception area.
Purbeck Health Centre is a busy general practice with clear standards. Our reception team plays a key role in how patients experience the practice. The service you provide and the way you present yourself matters.
This role suits someone who genuinely wants to work in general practice, understands the responsibility involved, and cares about patient experience. It is not a quiet or low-pressure role and requires resilience, organisation and a positive attitude.
Flexibility is required to help cover sickness or annual leave when needed, with occasional availability between 8:00am and 6:30pm.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This is a front-facing role at the centre of the practice. You will work on reception and phones, managing a high volume of patient contact throughout the day.
You will welcome patients, handle enquiries in person and by telephone, book and amend appointments, take and pass on messages accurately, and support safe patient access to clinical services. The way you communicate and manage information directly affects patient care, so clear communication, strong customer service skills and attention to detail are essential.
The work is constant and fast paced. You must be able to prioritise tasks, manage pressure and remain calm, polite and professional at all times. Patients may be anxious, frustrated or distressed, and you are expected to respond in a supportive, respectful and controlled way.
Accuracy matters in this role. You will be responsible for recording information correctly, following practice processes carefully, handling confidential information safely and ensuring messages are passed on without delay. Mistakes in reception can affect patient care, so taking responsibility for doing things properly is important.
You will work closely with clinical and administrative colleagues and are expected to be reliable, punctual and consistent. You will contribute to the smooth running of the day, support colleagues during busy periods and help maintain a welcoming, organised and professional reception area.
Purbeck Health Centre is a busy general practice with clear standards. Our reception team plays a key role in how patients experience the practice. The service you provide and the way you present yourself matters.
This role suits someone who genuinely wants to work in general practice, understands the responsibility involved, and cares about patient experience. It is not a quiet or low-pressure role and requires resilience, organisation and a positive attitude.
Flexibility is required to help cover sickness or annual leave when needed, with occasional availability between 8:00am and 6:30pm.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Applicants must demonstrate:
- Understanding that reception plays a key role in patient safety and access to care
- Ability to recognise urgency and escalate concerns appropriately
- Awareness of how tone, body language and language choice affect patient experience
- Confidence following processes and knowing when to seek guidance
- Ability to adapt communication style to different patient needs
- Commitment to equality, dignity and respect in patient interactions
- Ability to maintain focus and accuracy during repetitive or pressured tasks
- Willingness to accept feedback and adjust approach when required
- Understanding that consistency and reliability are critical in healthcare roles
Desirable
- Understanding of NHS primary care pressures and patient demand
- Awareness of how reception teams support clinical prioritisation
- Confidence de-escalating difficult situations calmly and appropriately
- Awareness of accessibility and reasonable adjustments in patient care
- Interest in improving processes or contributing ideas to improve patient experience
- Willingness to support the wider team when needed
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience in a front-facing, customer-focused role
- Experience managing regular face-to-face and telephone contact in a busy environment
- Demonstrated ability to communicate politely, respectfully and professionally at all times
- Experience handling confidential or sensitive information appropriately
- Evidence of working accurately while managing multiple tasks
- Ability to remain calm and professional when dealing with challenging situations
- Flexibility to support cover for sickness or annual leave when required
Desirable
- Previous experience working in a GP surgery or healthcare setting
- Experience using clinical or appointment booking systems (for example SystmOne)
- Experience managing high call volumes
- Experience supporting colleagues during busy periods
- Understanding of patient flow and appointment systems in general practice
- Experience dealing with distressed or frustrated patients in a professional manner
Qualifications
Essential
- Applicants must demonstrate:
- Strong customer service skills with a calm, polite and professional manner
- Confidence managing regular face-to-face and telephone contact
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to use computer systems and handle information correctly
- Ability to prioritise tasks and manage a steady workload
- Reliable, punctual and consistent approach to work
- Strong sense of personal responsibility and accountability
- Ability to work well as part of a team and follow instructions
- Understanding of confidentiality and patient safety
- Clear spoken communication and ability to listen effectively
- Willingness to work in a fast-paced GP environment
Desirable
- Previous experience in general practice or healthcare
- Reception or customer-facing experience in a busy setting
- Experience handling difficult conversations professionally
- Confidence using clinical or appointment booking systems (for example SystmOne)
- Experience working with confidential or sensitive information
- Ability to learn new systems quickly
- Willingness to support service improvements and help colleagues during busy periods
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Applicants must demonstrate:
- Understanding that reception plays a key role in patient safety and access to care
- Ability to recognise urgency and escalate concerns appropriately
- Awareness of how tone, body language and language choice affect patient experience
- Confidence following processes and knowing when to seek guidance
- Ability to adapt communication style to different patient needs
- Commitment to equality, dignity and respect in patient interactions
- Ability to maintain focus and accuracy during repetitive or pressured tasks
- Willingness to accept feedback and adjust approach when required
- Understanding that consistency and reliability are critical in healthcare roles
Desirable
- Understanding of NHS primary care pressures and patient demand
- Awareness of how reception teams support clinical prioritisation
- Confidence de-escalating difficult situations calmly and appropriately
- Awareness of accessibility and reasonable adjustments in patient care
- Interest in improving processes or contributing ideas to improve patient experience
- Willingness to support the wider team when needed
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience in a front-facing, customer-focused role
- Experience managing regular face-to-face and telephone contact in a busy environment
- Demonstrated ability to communicate politely, respectfully and professionally at all times
- Experience handling confidential or sensitive information appropriately
- Evidence of working accurately while managing multiple tasks
- Ability to remain calm and professional when dealing with challenging situations
- Flexibility to support cover for sickness or annual leave when required
Desirable
- Previous experience working in a GP surgery or healthcare setting
- Experience using clinical or appointment booking systems (for example SystmOne)
- Experience managing high call volumes
- Experience supporting colleagues during busy periods
- Understanding of patient flow and appointment systems in general practice
- Experience dealing with distressed or frustrated patients in a professional manner
Qualifications
Essential
- Applicants must demonstrate:
- Strong customer service skills with a calm, polite and professional manner
- Confidence managing regular face-to-face and telephone contact
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to use computer systems and handle information correctly
- Ability to prioritise tasks and manage a steady workload
- Reliable, punctual and consistent approach to work
- Strong sense of personal responsibility and accountability
- Ability to work well as part of a team and follow instructions
- Understanding of confidentiality and patient safety
- Clear spoken communication and ability to listen effectively
- Willingness to work in a fast-paced GP environment
Desirable
- Previous experience in general practice or healthcare
- Reception or customer-facing experience in a busy setting
- Experience handling difficult conversations professionally
- Confidence using clinical or appointment booking systems (for example SystmOne)
- Experience working with confidential or sensitive information
- Ability to learn new systems quickly
- Willingness to support service improvements and help colleagues during busy periods
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.