Job summary We are a friendly practice located in the Adeyfield area of Hemel Hempstead seeking a number of Reception/Administrative staff to increase our existing workforce. The role is primarily front desk and telephone cover assisting patients with requests for appointments, answering queries and general issues. Shifts start at 7.30am through to 1.30pm and 1.30pm to 6.30pm. We are looking for staff to cover a mix of these across the working week. The practice operates an on the day GP lead triage system through the use of eConsult which patients are encouraged to complete. Queries by phone can include requests for urgent appointments from housebound or vulnerable patients. We support our workforce and the team work closely to support and cover eachother. Shifts are split so that no one spends the whole day in one role and the practice looks after staff wellbeing. Main duties of the job Main duties include answering telephones or dealing with patients face to face to assist with making appointments, answering enquiries or signposting patiennts whilst providing an effective and friendly service. About us We are a friendly practice with 6 Partners and 1 salaried GP. Staff within the admin and reception teams work closely to support and cover eachother. Date posted 15 October 2024 Pay scheme Other Salary Depending on experience Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours Reference number A0591-24-0015 Job locations Everest Way Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP2 4HY Job description Job responsibilities Job Summary : Receive, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient and effective way. Provide 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. Job Responsibilities : Ensure an effective and efficient reception service is provided to patients and any other visitors to the practice Deal with all general enquiries, explain procedures and make new and follow-up appointments. Using your own judgment and communication skills ensure that patients with no prior appointment but who need urgent consultation are seen in a logical and non-disruptive manner. Explain practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover and ensure procedures are completed. Receive and make telephone calls as required. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery. Enter requests for home visits into the visit record sheet and computer, ensuring careful recording of all relevant details and where necessary refer to Duty Doctor. Advise patients of relevant charges for private (non-General Medical Services) services, accept payment and issue receipts for same. Enter patient information on to the computer as required. Undertake any other additional duties appropriate to the post as requested by the Partners or the Practice / Deputy Practice Manager. Premises: Open-up premises at the start of the day when first to arrive, de-activate alarm and make all necessary preparations to receive patients. When last to leave at the end of the day, ensure that the building is totally secured, internal lights are off, and the alarm is activated. Confidentiality : In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately. In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential. Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data. Health & Safety : The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practices Health & Safety Policy, to include: Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines. Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks. Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills. Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards. Reporting potential risks identified. Equality and Diversity : The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation. Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues. Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights. Personal/Professional Development : The post-holder will participate in any training program implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development. Complete all mandatory, statutory and other training as required for this post. Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work. Quality : The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will: Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk. Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision. Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance. Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs. Effectively manage own time, workload and resources. Communication : The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members. Communicate effectively with patients and carers. Recognize peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly. Apply practice policies, standards and guidance. Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work. Participate in audit where appropriate. Job description Job responsibilities Job Summary : Receive, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient and effective way. Provide 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. Job Responsibilities : Ensure an effective and efficient reception service is provided to patients and any other visitors to the practice Deal with all general enquiries, explain procedures and make new and follow-up appointments. Using your own judgment and communication skills ensure that patients with no prior appointment but who need urgent consultation are seen in a logical and non-disruptive manner. Explain practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover and ensure procedures are completed. Receive and make telephone calls as required. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery. Enter requests for home visits into the visit record sheet and computer, ensuring careful recording of all relevant details and where necessary refer to Duty Doctor. Advise patients of relevant charges for private (non-General Medical Services) services, accept payment and issue receipts for same. Enter patient information on to the computer as required. Undertake any other additional duties appropriate to the post as requested by the Partners or the Practice / Deputy Practice Manager. Premises: Open-up premises at the start of the day when first to arrive, de-activate alarm and make all necessary preparations to receive patients. When last to leave at the end of the day, ensure that the building is totally secured, internal lights are off, and the alarm is activated. Confidentiality : In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately. In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential. Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data. Health & Safety : The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practices Health & Safety Policy, to include: Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines. Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks. Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills. Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards. Reporting potential risks identified. Equality and Diversity : The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation. Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues. Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights. Personal/Professional Development : The post-holder will participate in any training program implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development. Complete all mandatory, statutory and other training as required for this post. Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work. Quality : The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will: Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk. Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision. Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance. Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs. Effectively manage own time, workload and resources. Communication : The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members. Communicate effectively with patients and carers. Recognize peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly. Apply practice policies, standards and guidance. Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work. Participate in audit where appropriate. Person Specification Experience Essential The candidate will ideally have experience of a similar role within the NHS. Desirable Experience of working in primary care Experience of working in a GP practice Person Specification Experience Essential The candidate will ideally have experience of a similar role within the NHS. Desirable Experience of working in primary care Experience of working in a GP practice 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 Everest House Surgery Address Everest Way Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP2 4HY Employer's website https://everesthouse.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)