Job summary
Cumbria Health is seeking a reliable and organised Receptionist to support the safe and efficient running of our Out-of-Hours Treatment Centre in Whitehaven. This is a key frontline role where you will be the first point of contact for patients
and professionals, helping to ensure appointments run smoothly and patients receive timely care.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will liaise with clinicians, the control room and drivers, manage
appointments, process confidential information and support the running of the reception shift. The role requires strong
communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to remain calm in a busy & demanding environment.
Take this opportunity to join a dynamic team where your contributions will directly enhance patient outcomes across the region. Apply today!
Closing date: 06/03/2026
WHEN APPLYING FOR THIS ROLE, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR MOBILE NUMBER ON YOUR APPLICATION SO WE
CAN CONTACT YOU IF NEEDED. PLEASE ALSO CHECK YOUR SPAM OR JUNK FOLDER REGULARLY AS
EMAILS FROM US MAY OCCASIONALLY BE FILTERED THERE.
Please note that we are unable to offer an Employer Sponsored Visa for this role.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for the efficient running of the reception area at their designated base.
The main duties include:
- Welcoming patients and managing the reception area
- Booking and coordinating appointments and contacting patients
- Processing referrals and handling confidential patient information
- Monitoring waiting areas and escalating concerns appropriately
- Liaising with clinicians, drivers, control room teams and external agencies
- Using clinical systems such as Adastra, EMIS and Outlook
- Working flexibly to support service delivery during busy periods
At all times, Cumbria Health will deliver a service that is in line with our values:
Clinically Focussed: Everything every one of us does is for the patient
Responsive: We listen and we respond quickly in a patient focussed way
One Team: We work together to provide a high quality service which is organised and consistent, and in partnership with
both the local Acute and Community Trusts
High Standards: We provide skilled professionals working to the highest standards who are passionate about improving
patient care
Growth & Sustainability: With our strong roots we will continue to thrive and grow
Communities: Connecting and engaging to meet local needs
About us
Cumbria Health places the patient, their family and their community at the heart of everything we do. We are an award-winning organisation, the first out-of-hours organisation in the country to be rated as outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
We provide primary health care services, both in and out of hours, across Cumbria. We are values-driven and place great emphasis on inclusivity and the wellbeing and development of our staff, while striving to provide a consistently high-quality service. Our service is designed to improve health and wellbeing.
Working for Cumbria Health can offer flexible opportunities in terms of location, hours and working patterns so you can enjoy a great work life balance. In order to provide the best patient care we understand the importance of ensuring staff satisfaction and are consistently trying to ensure we offer our staff a positive working environment whether that be though training or social events.
Listen to your heart. Have the work life balance you'd love.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This list of duties and responsibilities, which follows, represents the broad range
of tasks which may be required to be undertaken either routinely or periodically.
This list is not exhaustive, and the role may include additional duties which are
not listed here.
First and foremost, post holder will be the initial point of contact for professionals
and professionals referred to Primary Medical care Out of Hours.
- To contact patients with appointment times and to be the first point of contact
for patients arriving at the Treatment Centre.
- To process confidential patient information to pass to Clinicians
- To coordinate appointment bookings.
- Keeping a watchful eye on patients waiting to be seen and in the case of
worsening symptoms, alerting a relevant professional.
- To work autonomously, managing own workload effectively referring to Control
Room Supervisor, when necessary
- To liaise with and follow advice, guidance and requests from the Control Room
Supervisor on shift to ensure the smooth running of the service.
- To alert Emergency Services in the event of an emergency and/or gain
help from within the department.
- Carrying out equipment checks and reporting issues to the Control Room
Supervisor.
- To adhere to all Cumbria Health Policies and Procedures
- To maintain a high level of confidentiality and comply with the Data Protection
Act. Be aware of the nature of information dealt with and work in a manner
which ensures confidentiality and security at all times.
- To use a variety of computerised systems to record patient details,
Adastra/EMIS/Outlook etc this list is not exhaustive.
- Participate and ensure own on-going development, maintaining compliance
for mandatory training.
- Undertake any other activities deemed appropriate and necessary by the
organisation.
- To be flexible and adaptable with regards to shifts to support your team in rota
cover, particularly over busy periods such a Christmas and New Year.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This list of duties and responsibilities, which follows, represents the broad range
of tasks which may be required to be undertaken either routinely or periodically.
This list is not exhaustive, and the role may include additional duties which are
not listed here.
First and foremost, post holder will be the initial point of contact for professionals
and professionals referred to Primary Medical care Out of Hours.
- To contact patients with appointment times and to be the first point of contact
for patients arriving at the Treatment Centre.
- To process confidential patient information to pass to Clinicians
- To coordinate appointment bookings.
- Keeping a watchful eye on patients waiting to be seen and in the case of
worsening symptoms, alerting a relevant professional.
- To work autonomously, managing own workload effectively referring to Control
Room Supervisor, when necessary
- To liaise with and follow advice, guidance and requests from the Control Room
Supervisor on shift to ensure the smooth running of the service.
- To alert Emergency Services in the event of an emergency and/or gain
help from within the department.
- Carrying out equipment checks and reporting issues to the Control Room
Supervisor.
- To adhere to all Cumbria Health Policies and Procedures
- To maintain a high level of confidentiality and comply with the Data Protection
Act. Be aware of the nature of information dealt with and work in a manner
which ensures confidentiality and security at all times.
- To use a variety of computerised systems to record patient details,
Adastra/EMIS/Outlook etc this list is not exhaustive.
- Participate and ensure own on-going development, maintaining compliance
for mandatory training.
- Undertake any other activities deemed appropriate and necessary by the
organisation.
- To be flexible and adaptable with regards to shifts to support your team in rota
cover, particularly over busy periods such a Christmas and New Year.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent)
Desirable
- IT or system training qualification
- NVQ Business Administration
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent telephone manner
- Ability to prioritise & manage own workload
- Friendly, helpful and can do approach
- Ability to carry out work accurately to specified deadlines
- Close attention to detail
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality
Personal Circumstances
Essential
- Positive
- Confident
- Well organised
- Good team player
- Flexible
- Ability to build rapport and effective relationships at all levels
- Demonstrate initiative
- Ability to maintain workload in a sometimes busy and demanding environment
Other requirements
Essential
- Willingness to undertake further training
- Flexible approach with the ability to work at short notice to support your team
Knowledge
Essential
- Intermediate computer skills
- Experience of working with various I.T. systems
- Confidence to adapt to new technologies
- Experience of interacting with the public in a customer facing environment.
Desirable
- Previous experience working within the NHS.
- Previous experience in a similar role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent)
Desirable
- IT or system training qualification
- NVQ Business Administration
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent telephone manner
- Ability to prioritise & manage own workload
- Friendly, helpful and can do approach
- Ability to carry out work accurately to specified deadlines
- Close attention to detail
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality
Personal Circumstances
Essential
- Positive
- Confident
- Well organised
- Good team player
- Flexible
- Ability to build rapport and effective relationships at all levels
- Demonstrate initiative
- Ability to maintain workload in a sometimes busy and demanding environment
Other requirements
Essential
- Willingness to undertake further training
- Flexible approach with the ability to work at short notice to support your team
Knowledge
Essential
- Intermediate computer skills
- Experience of working with various I.T. systems
- Confidence to adapt to new technologies
- Experience of interacting with the public in a customer facing environment.
Desirable
- Previous experience working within the NHS.
- Previous experience in a similar role.
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.
