Primary Care Careers

Receptionist / Care Navigator

The closing date is 04 January 2026

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and pro-active part-time receptionist to join the team based at Mersea Island Medical Practice on a part-time basis for 23 hours per week.Our GPs, nurses and clinical teams do not exist in isolation. For effective patient care we need a strong and supportive administration team, who keep each branch operating at its best and most efficient.

The role of a receptionist is critical to the smooth day to day running of the practice, and the focus is on supporting patients to access the appointment most suited to their needs and responding to all queries in a timely manner.

Main duties of the job

  • Answer the telephone in a polite and professional manner with a focus on supporting patients to access the appointment most suited to their needs and responding to all queries in a timely manner.
  • Receive and make calls as required. Take messages as appropriate.
  • Efficient use of the appointment system, booking appropriate clinicians including Extended Access (EA) appointments, booking into the correct appointment and times.
  • Record sufficient and accurate information.
  • Liaise professionally between clinical, admin staff, patients, and other agencies to carry out appropriate tasks including but not exclusively: Patient Access Requests, how to use on line services/portals, copies of text results and letters
  • Completing Tasks in a timely manner, accurately and ensuring actions are communicated between patients and other agencies, reporting any issues arising to a senior member of staff.
  • Action prescription requests accurately, timely and in line with current policy
  • Respond to all queries and requests for assistance escalating to senior team members to reduce the risk of incidents and complaints
  • Enter requests for home visits and late calls onto the computer including all relevant information and where necessary refer to the duty Doctor
  • Give out and receive specimens following the strict procedures in place

  • Advise patients of charges for private services, accepting payment and issuing receipts
  • About us

    The Colte Partnership is a GP super-partnership, formed in June 2017. It brought together 8 local GP surgeries across Colchester and Tendring, serving approx. 80,000 patients. With the combined workforce, skills and knowledge, we are in a unique position to assist our patients across the county. We pride ourselves on working to be at the forefront of Primary Care in our region and have many exciting ventures on the horizon.

    Each of our branches has its own character, and family friendly ethos, which is why our patients love coming to us (and tell us so in our regular patient surveys). However, being a large partnership means we can offer so much more than a local branch can by itself with specialist clinics, social prescribing and innovative support such as regular dementia cafes.

    We strive to look after our employees as well, with generous annual leave, flexible and family friendly working, and support during difficult times such as free counselling.

    Details

    Date posted

    11 December 2025

    Pay scheme

    Other

    Salary

    Depending on experience - TBC

    Contract

    Permanent

    Working pattern

    Part-time

    Reference number

    29136-1

    Job locations

    32 Kingsland Road

    West Mersea

    Essex

    CO5 8RA


    Job description

    Job responsibilities

    If you would like to find out more information about this role, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

    Job description

    Job responsibilities

    If you would like to find out more information about this role, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

    Person Specification

    Experience

    Essential

    • A good standard of education including Maths and English
    • Have experience of working and providing customer services
    • Ideally you will have reception experience and it would be beneficial if you have experience working within primary care, however this is not essential
    • Strong IT skills and be able to use computer based systems
    • Experience of EMIS would be desirable, however full training will be given to a suitable candidate
    • Excellent communication skills both written and orally, and have good social skills
    • Have a friendly and positive approach towards patients and other visitors either in person or over the telephone
    • Some flexibility is required, as you will sometimes need to work additional or alternative hours to cover for colleagues.
    Person Specification

    Experience

    Essential

    • A good standard of education including Maths and English
    • Have experience of working and providing customer services
    • Ideally you will have reception experience and it would be beneficial if you have experience working within primary care, however this is not essential
    • Strong IT skills and be able to use computer based systems
    • Experience of EMIS would be desirable, however full training will be given to a suitable candidate
    • Excellent communication skills both written and orally, and have good social skills
    • Have a friendly and positive approach towards patients and other visitors either in person or over the telephone
    • Some flexibility is required, as you will sometimes need to work additional or alternative hours to cover for colleagues.

    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

    Primary Care Careers

    Address

    32 Kingsland Road

    West Mersea

    Essex

    CO5 8RA


    Employer's website

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

    Employer details

    Employer name

    Primary Care Careers

    Address

    32 Kingsland Road

    West Mersea

    Essex

    CO5 8RA


    Employer's website

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

    Employer contact details

    For questions about the job, contact:

    Recruitment Team

    Mersea Island Medical Practice

    enquiries@eoeprimarycarecareers.nhs.uk

    01206918760

    Details

    Date posted

    11 December 2025

    Pay scheme

    Other

    Salary

    Depending on experience - TBC

    Contract

    Permanent

    Working pattern

    Part-time

    Reference number

    29136-1

    Job locations

    32 Kingsland Road

    West Mersea

    Essex

    CO5 8RA


    Privacy notice

    Primary Care Careers's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)