Part-time Afternoon Receptionist

Offer general assistance to the practice team and project a positive and friendly image to patients and other visitors, either in person or via the telephone.

Main Duties

Receive, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient and effective way.

Undertake a variety of administrative duties to assist in the smooth running of the practice, including the provision of secretarial and clerical support to clinical staff and other members of the practice team.

Facilitate effective communication between patients, members of the primary healthcare team, secondary care, and other associated healthcare agencies.

Job Responsibilities

• Opening up/locking up of practice premises and maintaining security in accordance with practice protocols.
• Maintaining and monitoring the practice appointments system.
• Processing personal and telephone requests for appointments, visits and telephone consultations, and ensuring callers are directed to the appropriate healthcare professional.
• Processing and distributing incoming (and outgoing) mail.
• Taking messages and passing on information.
• Filing and retrieving paperwork.
• Processing repeat prescriptions in accordance with practice guidelines.
• Computer data entry/data allocation and collation; processing and recording information in accordance with practice procedures.
• Initiating contact with and responding to requests from patients, other team members and associated healthcare agencies and providers.
• Clearing and re stocking of consulting rooms as required.
• Providing clerical assistance to practice staff as required from time to time, including word/data processing, filing, photocopying and scanning.
• Ordering, re ordering and monitoring stationery and other supplies.
• Dealing with clinical waste.
• Provision of refreshments for staff and visitors as required; loading and emptying the dishwasher and keeping the kitchen area clean and tidy.
• Keeping the reception area, notice boards and leaflet dispensers tidy and free from obstructions and clutter.

Confidentiality

• In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with sensitive information. They expect staff to respect their privacy and act appropriately.
• The post holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients, carers, practice staff, other healthcare workers and the business of the practice. All such information is regarded as strictly confidential.
• Information may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures regarding confidentiality and protection of personal data.

Health & Safety

• Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines.
• Identifying risks involved in work activities and undertaking activities to manage those risks.
• Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills.
• Using appropriate infection control procedures and maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe manner, free from hazards.
• Actively reporting health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised.
• Keeping own work areas and general/patient areas generally clean, assisting in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness consistent with the scope of the job holder's role.
• Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually).
• Demonstrating due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Equality & Diversity

• Acting in a way that recognises the importance of people's rights and interpreting them in a way consistent with practice procedures, policies and current legislation.
• Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.
• Behaving in a manner that is welcoming and non judgmental, respecting their circumstances, priorities and rights.

Training & Development

• Participation in an annual individual performance review, including keeping a record of personal and professional development.
• Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others undertaking similar work.

Quality

• Alerting other team members to issues of quality and risk.
• Assessing own performance and taking accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision.
• Contributing to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and suggesting ways to improve or enhance performance.
• Working effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patient needs.
• Managing own time, workload and resources effectively.

Communication

• Communicating effectively with other team members.
• Communicating effectively with patients and carers.
• Recognising people's need for alternative communication methods and responding accordingly.

Service Implementation

• Applying practice policies, standards and guidance.
• Discussing with team members how policies and guidelines affect own work.
• Participating in audits where appropriate.

Person Specification Experience

• At least one year of experience working in a GP surgery is essential.
• Experience working in primary care, preferably in a GP practice, and on EMIS Web.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE O level or equivalent.
• Computer literate.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a disclosure check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.