Medical Receptionist/administrator

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

To be responsible for undertaking a wide range of reception duties and the provision of general support to the multidisciplinary team. Duties can include but are not limited to, greeting and directing patients, effective use of the appointment system, booking appointments, processing of information and assisting patients as required. To act as the central point of contact for patients, the distribution of information, messages and enquiries for the clinical team, liaising with multidisciplinary team members and external agencies such as secondary care and community service providers.

Mission Statement

Belvidere Medical practice has evolved into a patient centred caring practice based on the following values:

The patients needs define the care they receive

Our systems and procedures will be designed to meet and support these needs

Our partners and staff show respect and compassion for patients

We provide a safe environment and systems to protect vulnerable patients

We provide regular training for staff and partners to ensure we are up to date and effective

We care for our patients and our staff

We provide equal services to all patients without discrimination, based upon need

Generic Responsibilities

All staff have a duty to conform to the following:

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

A good attitude and positive action towards ED&I creates and environment where all individuals are able to achieve their full potential. Creating such an environment is important for three reasons: it improves operational effectiveness, it is morally the right thing to do, and it is required by law.

Patients and their families have the right to be treated fairly and be routinely involved in decisions about their treatment and care. They can expect to be treated with dignity and respect and will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Patients have a responsibility to treat other patients and our staff with dignity and respect.

Staff have the right to be treated fairly in recruitment and career progression. Staff can expect to work in an environment where diversity is valued and equality of opportunity is promoted. Staff will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that you treat our patients and their colleagues with dignity and respect.

Safety, Health, Environment and Fire (SHEF)

This practice is committed to supporting and promoting opportunities to for staff to maintain their health, well-being and safety. You have a duty to take reasonable care of health and safety at work for you, your team and others, and to cooperate with employers to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements. All personnel are to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Environmental Protection Act 1990, Environment Act 1995, Fire Precautions (workplace) Regulations 1999 and other statutory legislation.

Confidentiality

This practice is committed to maintaining an outstanding confidential service. Patients entrust and permit us to collect and retain sensitive information relating to their health and other matters, pertaining to their care. They do so in confidence and have a right to expect all staff will respect their privacy and maintain confidentiality at all times. It is essential that if, the legal requirements are to be met and the trust of our patients is to be retained that all staff protect patient information and provide a confidential service.

Quality & Continuous Improvement (CI)

To preserve and improve the quality of our output, all personnel are required to think not only of what they do, but how they achieve it. By continually re-examining our processes, we will be able to develop and improve the overall effectiveness of the way we work. The responsibility for this rests with everyone working within the practice to look for opportunities to improve quality and share good practice.

This practice continually strives to improve work processes which deliver health care with improved results across all areas of our service provision. We promote a culture of continuous improvement, where everyone counts and staff are permitted to make suggestions and contributions to improve our service delivery and enhance patient care.

Induction Training

On arrival at the practice all personnel are to complete a practice induction programme; this is managed by the Deputy Practice Manager.

Learning and Development

The effective use of training and development is fundamental in ensuring that all staff are equipped with the appropriate skills, knowledge, attitude and competences to perform their role. All staff will be required to partake and complete mandatory training as directed by the training coordinator, as well as participating in the practice training programme. Staff will also be permitted (subject to approval) to undertake external training courses which will enhance their knowledge and skills, progress their career and ultimately, enable them to improve processes and service delivery.

Collaborative Working

All staff are to recognise the significance of collaborative working. Teamwork is essential in multidisciplinary environments. Effective communication is essential and all staff must ensure they communicate in a manner which enables the sharing of information in an appropriate manner.

Service Delivery

Staff at Belvidere Medical Practice must adhere to the information contained with practice policies and regional directives, ensuring protocols are adhered to at all times. Staff will be given detailed information during the induction process regarding policy and procedure.

Security

The security of the practice is the responsibility of all personnel. Staff must ensure they remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious activity immediately to their line manager. Under no circumstances are staff to share the codes for the door locks to anyone and are to ensure that restricted areas remain effectively secured.

Professional Conduct

At Belvidere Medical Practice, staff are required to dress appropriately for their role.

Primary Responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the post. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

a.Maintaining and monitoring the practice appointment system

b.Process personal, telephone and e-requests for appointments

c.Answer incoming phone calls, transferring calls or dealing with the callers request appropriately

d.Signpost patients to the correct service

e.Initiating contact with and responding to, requests from patients, team members and external agencies

f.Read code data on EMIS Web

g.Photocopy/scan documentation as required

h.Data entry of new and temporary registrations and relevant patient information as required

i.Input data into the patients healthcare records as necessary

j.Direct requests for information i.e. SAR, insurance / solicitors letters and DVLA forms

k.Manage all queries as necessary in an efficient manner

l.Carry out system searches as requested

m.Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times

n.Monitor and maintain the reception area and notice boards

o.Support all clinical staff with general tasks as requested

p.To support the team with new processes as may be required

Secondary Responsibilities

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the postholder may be requested to:

a.Partake in audit as directed by the audit lead

b.Provide cover during staff absences

c.Action incoming emails and correspondence as necessary

d.Scanning of patient related documentation and attaching scanned documents to patients healthcare records

e.Complete opening and closing procedures in accordance with procedure

f.As required support the team in the management of repeat prescriptions, ensuring they are processed accurately and efficiently

g.Ordering and monitoring of stationery/consumable supplies

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with the general public in a busy environment.
• Experience of handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Experience of using electronic systems.

Desirable

• Previous experience in a GP or NHS setting.
• Experience of clinical systems eg EMIS.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Professional and courteous telephone manner.
• Ability to prioritise workload in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Competent in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Empathetic and patient-focused approach.
• Professional, reliable and punctual.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Positive and proactive attitude.
• Trustworthy.

Desirable

• Interest in improving patient experience.
• Understanding and demonstration of NHS values (Respect, Dignity, Compassion).

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent inc English and Math.
• Evidence of IT literacy.

Desirable

• AMSPAR Receptionists Qualification.
• NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care.
• Safeguarding of GDPR training.

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of patient confidentiality and data protection (GDPR).
• Knowledge of general administrative procedures.
• Understanding of customer service principles.
• Awareness of safeguarding responsibilities.

Desirable

• Knowledge of NHS structure and primary care services.
• Understanding of referral pathways.
• Basic understanding of medical terminology.

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

Belvidere Medical Practice

Address

23 Belvidere Road

Shrewsbury

Shropshire

SY2 5LS

Employer's website

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