Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Medical Secretary - Respiratory

The closing date is 21 October 2025

Job summary

The medical secretary will be required to provide efficient and effective secretarial duties to named consultants and their team and act as the first point of contact for all forms of communication for the consultants and their team. The medical secretary will also provide flexible secretarial support to clinical teams as requested by the Senior Operational Manager to support service requirements during absence as necessary.

The medical secretary will work with support administrative teams to develop collaborative working partnerships which positively contribute to the overall efficiency of the team.

Main duties of the job

  • To prioritise all incoming mail and action accordingly
  • To answer all incoming telephone calls and emails from patients, carers and other healthcare professionals in an efficient manner. Actioning and resolving queries or referring onto other departments and agencies as appropriate
  • Communicate with patients, colleagues, internal and external
  • Ensure all investigation results are readily available to the clinical staff
  • Receive telephone calls, accepting messages on behalf of members of the specialty team, taking appropriate action where necessary
  • Prioritise own work efficiently and effectively, highlighting any issues to the Band 4
  • Type all forms of clinical correspondence as dictated by medical staff, by use of audio or copy typing
  • Liaise with the outpatient team regarding outpatient appointments
  • To action fast track referrals (if appropriate) to ensure timely appointments are made.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted

07 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-OR-3433

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Job description

Job responsibilities

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE English and Mathematics
  • Minimum of two years office management and administrative experience
  • Ability to demonstrate an intermediate level of skill across Microsoft Office Suite of software (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Experience

Essential

  • Awareness of the importance of maintaining patient confidentialityGood communication skills both written and oral.Ability to operate a personal computer with knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation softwareAbility to understand and work with financial, administrative and personnel processes and practisesStrong customer service skillsAccuracy and attention to detailExcellent communication skills, confident and assertive, clarity in written, telephone and face to face contactsAbility to communicate with multi-disciplinary professionals and staff incorporating diplomacy and absolute discretionCapability to organise meetingsAn effective and supportive team player with the capability, confidence, temperament and self-motivation to work independently where circumstances dictateAbility to work to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)Evidence of ongoing personal development.

Desirable

  • Experience of working within an office environmentPrevious NHS experienceKnowledge of medical terminology
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE English and Mathematics
  • Minimum of two years office management and administrative experience
  • Ability to demonstrate an intermediate level of skill across Microsoft Office Suite of software (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Experience

Essential

  • Awareness of the importance of maintaining patient confidentialityGood communication skills both written and oral.Ability to operate a personal computer with knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation softwareAbility to understand and work with financial, administrative and personnel processes and practisesStrong customer service skillsAccuracy and attention to detailExcellent communication skills, confident and assertive, clarity in written, telephone and face to face contactsAbility to communicate with multi-disciplinary professionals and staff incorporating diplomacy and absolute discretionCapability to organise meetingsAn effective and supportive team player with the capability, confidence, temperament and self-motivation to work independently where circumstances dictateAbility to work to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)Evidence of ongoing personal development.

Desirable

  • Experience of working within an office environmentPrevious NHS experienceKnowledge 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

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Emma Price

emma.price@somersetft.nhs.uk

07353100028

Details

Date posted

07 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-OR-3433

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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