Saffron Health Partnership

Medical Secretary (Fixed Term - maternity leave cover)

The closing date is 08 April 2026

Job summary

Saffron Health Partnership is looking for an experienced Medical Secretary to join our team on a fixed term contract ending on 27 February 2027 to cover maternity leave.

The Medical Secretary is an important role within the practice's Secretarial Department which is led by the Secretarial Manager who oversees a small team of experienced and supportive secretaries.

The postholder will have the opportunity to primarily work remotely with only occasionally being required to be in the office, if preferred. A laptop will be supplied for remote working.

Main duties of the job

The role is responsible for providing a high quality of secretarial and administrative support to our team of clinicians and staff members in a very busy practice.

Duties must be carried out in accordance with the practices protocols, policies and procedures.

About us

We are a long-established practice with approximately 22,000 patients. We are a friendly and supportive team comprising of 55 staff members serving patients across Biggleswade, Sandy, Langford and the surrounding areas. The secretarial office is based in Sandy.

The practice is also a member of Sandhills Primary Care Network with which it has a positive and collaborative working relationship.

Details

Date posted

27 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£12.90 to £13.10 an hour

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Home or remote working

Reference number

A4303-26-0002

Job locations

Shannon Court Surgery

High Street

Sandy

Bedfordshire

SG19 1AG


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Using the digital dictation system (Lexacom) to accurately type letters and referrals, in order of priority per the latest guidance
  • Providing a full secretarial service for clinicians, including sending referrals via the Electronic Referral System (ERS) and via email
  • Actioning urgent and 2 week wait referrals as priority
  • Actively monitoring 2 week wait referrals and making sure appointments for patients have been secured and attended
  • Daily monitoring of the ERS worklists
  • Completing Arden's templates on Systm One and keeping the templates up-to-date
  • Actioning secretarial tasks within Systm One
  • Dealing with hospital, practice clinicians and patient queries by phone
  • Dealing with relevant queries submitted by patients via the online consultation system
  • Processing paperwork, for example information provided by patients to support a referral or GP-completed referral forms
  • Taking responsibility for any specific areas of associated with the department, ensuring that the work is completed efficiently and in a timely manner
  • Any other reasonable duties as requested by management

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Using the digital dictation system (Lexacom) to accurately type letters and referrals, in order of priority per the latest guidance
  • Providing a full secretarial service for clinicians, including sending referrals via the Electronic Referral System (ERS) and via email
  • Actioning urgent and 2 week wait referrals as priority
  • Actively monitoring 2 week wait referrals and making sure appointments for patients have been secured and attended
  • Daily monitoring of the ERS worklists
  • Completing Arden's templates on Systm One and keeping the templates up-to-date
  • Actioning secretarial tasks within Systm One
  • Dealing with hospital, practice clinicians and patient queries by phone
  • Dealing with relevant queries submitted by patients via the online consultation system
  • Processing paperwork, for example information provided by patients to support a referral or GP-completed referral forms
  • Taking responsibility for any specific areas of associated with the department, ensuring that the work is completed efficiently and in a timely manner
  • Any other reasonable duties as requested by management

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of 1 years' experience in a general practice medical secretary role
  • Excellent literacy skills
  • Excellent IT skills
  • Ability to type at speed and accurately
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds
  • Sound knowledge of medical terminology
  • Ability to multitask and to work accurately when under pressure
  • Understanding the importance of maintaining confidentiality and data security
  • Ability to work as a team, as well as being comfortable working independently
  • Familiar with and adept at using Systm One (clinical system) within scope of role
  • Ability to work to strict deadlines
  • Ability to prioritise and manage time effectively
  • Ability to work as part of a team as well as autonomously
  • Ability to remain positive and calm when under pressure
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of 1 years' experience in a general practice medical secretary role
  • Excellent literacy skills
  • Excellent IT skills
  • Ability to type at speed and accurately
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds
  • Sound knowledge of medical terminology
  • Ability to multitask and to work accurately when under pressure
  • Understanding the importance of maintaining confidentiality and data security
  • Ability to work as a team, as well as being comfortable working independently
  • Familiar with and adept at using Systm One (clinical system) within scope of role
  • Ability to work to strict deadlines
  • Ability to prioritise and manage time effectively
  • Ability to work as part of a team as well as autonomously
  • Ability to remain positive and calm when under pressure

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

Saffron Health Partnership

Address

Shannon Court Surgery

High Street

Sandy

Bedfordshire

SG19 1AG


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Saffron Health Partnership

Address

Shannon Court Surgery

High Street

Sandy

Bedfordshire

SG19 1AG


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Secretarial Department Manager

Hayley Knowlson

hayley.knowlson1@nhs.net

01767316346

Details

Date posted

27 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£12.90 to £13.10 an hour

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Home or remote working

Reference number

A4303-26-0002

Job locations

Shannon Court Surgery

High Street

Sandy

Bedfordshire

SG19 1AG


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