Job summary
We have an opportunity for an additional Care Navigator (Receptionist) with Dispensary Assistant Qualifications to join our team at Martlesham Heath Surgery.
A great opportunity to work with an innovative and expanding surgery alongside current members of staff.
We are looking for individuals with combined Dispensary knowledge and excellent patient or customer centred care skills, candidates with previous experience or transferable skills will be taken into full consideration. Primary Care knowledge is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of a Reception / Dispensary Supervisor and with the wider established teams.
Our Reception Team are the first point of contact for our patients, ensuring each individual patient is offered a positive experience by providing a caring service.
We currently utilise Anima, a clinical system to allow online contact with our patients. Some, not all, requests for GP care are received via this system.
Working hours are part-time between 8-10 hours a week with additional overtime, sickness and annual leave cover also available.
Full discussion of availability / working hours will be had at interview.
Main duties of the job
Care Navigator (Reception) Role
1. To act as the first line of contact for our patients either on the phone, in person or via online platforms, providing a high-quality Care Navigation service to all patients and visitors to the surgery
2. Meeting and greeting patients, their families or representatives, and visitors to ensure they receive an efficient, polite, and helpful response at all times
3. Maintaining a selection of administrative duties in a timely and efficient manner
4. Working with the other team members to ensure the smooth running of the Reception area and handling of appointments, follow ups and outcomes where relevant
5. Assisting the other teams within the surgery if required
6. Providing support and assistance to the Reception Supervisor as required
Dispensary Assistant Role
7. Carry out routine dispensing activities in accordance with a prescription by following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and complying with all legal requirements. This list is not exhaustive.
8. Accurately maintain Patient Medication Records (PMR) to ensure patient safety and in accordance with data protection requirements
9. Identify medicine related problems or queries and bring these to the attention of the Responsible Pharmacist or Clinician available
10. Assist with stock control and receive stock in accordance with SOPs
11. Ensure the safe and appropriate storage of medicines
12. Perform regular date checks, stock takes, unloading deliveries.
These lists are not exhaustive and other duties may be added
About us
We are a small but passionate and close knit surgery located in Martlesham, surrounded by affluent and prosperous areas on the outskirts of Ipswich. Our staff and patients are held with the upmost importance and we strive daily to look after them to the highest possible standard. All staff from clinical to non-clinical are offered a well-balanced workload and have full access to a supportive team both in and out of their specialist area.
Martlesham Heath Surgery itself is a PMS practice using SystmOne clinical system. We are pleased to announce our connection with the new Wolsey PCN, this new collaboration is between a select number of GP practices within the local area.
Job description
Job responsibilities
While providing a professional, respectful and efficient call handling and face to face service, our Care Co-Ordinators occupy many roles and play a crucial part in helping our patients get to the right support, at the right time, to help manage a wide range of needs.
Each member is trained to deal with a variety of associated administration duties and follow all relevant procedures, policies and processes to ensure they are working in an efficient and courteous manner at all times.
The Care Co-Ordinator will embed and sustain an ethos of care throughout the team; providing advice and guidance and signposting patients to the most appropriate clinician/service both within and out of the surgeries capacity.
Below highlights areas of daily duties:
13. Dealing with all general enquiries efficiently with the ability to explain protocols and procedures, make new and follow-up appointments by booking, cancelling and rearranging appointments
1. Reception-Based Responsibilities:
14. Greet patients, visitors, and healthcare staff in a courteous and professional manner.
15. Answer telephone calls, manage inquiries, and triage calls to appropriate personnel.
16. Schedule appointments, ensuring optimal allocation of resources and alignment with clinicians' availability.
17. Register new patients and update existing patient records with the highest level of accuracy.
18. On occasion process repeat prescription requests in line with practice protocols.
19. Provide information to patients and families regarding services, appointments, and other inquiries.
20. Maintain confidentiality and adhere to data protection regulations at all times.
2. Medical Secretary Responsibilities:
21. Type and prepare correspondence, reports, referrals, and other documentation as requested by clinicians and management.
22. Handle patient referrals, including e-Referrals and ensuring timely follow-up.
23. Coordinate with other healthcare providers to obtain medical records, test results, and other relevant patient information.
24. Assist in the preparation of medical documentation for clinical staff, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
25. Manage incoming and outgoing mail, distributing it to the appropriate team members.
26. Organise and maintain filing systems (both electronic and physical), ensuring easy access and retrieval of documents.
3. Administrative Responsibilities:
27. Assist in maintaining an organised and efficient administration system, supporting the smooth running of practice operations.
28. Support the practice in managing medical supplies, ordering stock, and ensuring clinical rooms are well-prepared.
29. Assist with updating and maintaining patient information on NHS databases and/or practice management systems, where applicable.
30. Generate routine and ad-hoc reports, including patient activity, appointment statistics, and other performance metrics.
31. Attend team meetings and provide administrative support for follow-up actions.
Prescription Responsibilities
32. Handle and process paper prescription requests from patients and healthcare professionals.
33. Ensure accuracy and timeliness in prescription handling to meet patient needs.
34. Manage payments for dispensed prescriptions in-house, ensuring compliance with financial procedures and accurate records of all transactions.
35. Act as the first point of contact for patients with prescription queries, providing assistance and resolving issues where possible.
36. Communicate effectively with patients, clinicians, and other healthcare professionals regarding prescription-related matters.
37. Undertake additional roles and responsibilities as assigned by senior team members or practice management.
38. Support initiatives and projects aimed at improving the efficiency of prescription services.
Dispensary Assistant
At Martlesham Heath Surgery, we offer a service for dispensing and we pride ourselves in the service we provide to our patients. You will be able to project a positive and friendly image to dispensary patients and other visitors and deal with queries in a professional, courteous and efficient manner. Along with assisting in the preparation of all aspects of dispensing and assist with stock control, ordering and re-stocking of the dispensary.
Your main duties and responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:
39. Issuing stock items and prepared prescriptions
40. Collection of prescription charges/checking patient exemption statements
41. Operation of efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the dispensary with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage
42. Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers instructions, this may be inclusive of refrigerated items.
43. Cleaning work surfaces and shelving on a regular basis and ensuring that that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order.
44. Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions.
45. Undertaking other reasonable duties within the framework of the post
46. Dispensing and checking repeat prescriptions
47. Reviewing orders for repeats and dealing with any associated queries.
Knowledge and understanding about the appropriateness of requests for medication is required, checking with the appropriate Clinical Team or in patient records if there are any concerns.
Successful applicants will be able to access a number of additional training opportunities that become available through our local Training Hub, ICB or other providers of support and learning
As a Training Practice we encourage enhanced learning within all roles at Martlesham Heath Surgery
This job description provides an overview of the main responsibilities of the role. It is not an exhaustive list, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties as deemed appropriate to the role.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
48. A combination of experience is required for both aspects of this position:
49. Confident and welcoming demeanour with a compassionate and caring attitude in all situations
50. Face to face, patient focused care
51. Basic IT knowledge and experience including carrying out basic internet navigation
52. Experience of data entry or diary use
53. Basic knowledge of and experience of using Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams
Desirable
54. Knowledge or experience of working as a receptionist within the NHS or Primary Care
55. Call handling experience
Skills
Essential
56. Good organisational skills
57. Ability to organise and maintain office space.
58. Ability to cope with a busy and fast paced working environment
59. Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team
60. Good communication skills (written and verbal)
61. Excellent IT skills
62. Strong team player
63. Smart appearance
64. Exercise tact and discretion at all times
65. Demonstrate initiative to handle any unforeseen events during a
66. shift
67. Demonstrate flexibility towards new working practices and
68. towards working hours
Qualifications
Essential
69. NVQ level 2 in Dispensing or equivalent qualification is required