Job summary Essex Lodge Surgery is looking for 1 Full Time experienced GP receptionist to work over 5 days morning/evenings. Must have excellent communication and customer service skills to join our friendly team. This is a 6 month fixed term post subject to review. Please note this is an evening vacancy only. Our Receptionists deals with our day-to-day patient contact, handling incoming calls requesting appointments and enquiries, and welcoming patients into the Surgery. Receptionists also support the GPs and Nurses with keeping patients informed about their health. We are looking for an enthusiastic, professional, clearly spoken receptionist who has experience of working within a busy GP surgery and using EMIS WEB Clinical System. Full training and support would be offered to the successful applicant. Main duties of the job Job summary: The purpose of the role is to: 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. 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 reception area, including the provision of clerical support to clinical staff and other members of the practice team. Call and recall. Facilitate effective communication between patients, members of the primary health care team, secondary care and other associated healthcare agencies Please see attached Job descrption for details. About us Essex Lodge Surgery is situated within NHS Newham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). The practice is a member of the Newham Central Primary Care Network (PCN). Currently the practice provides services to approximately 17,500 patients under a Personal Medical Services (PMS) Contract. The practice has been a GP training and teaching practice since 1985, having two GP trainers and GP registrars. The practice provides training to medical students from the Queen Mary University of London and also medical students from Kings College London. Training and development are therefore an important part of the practices ethos. Date posted 31 December 2024 Pay scheme Other Salary Depending on experience Contract Fixed term Duration 6 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number A5290-24-0013 Job locations 94 Greengate Street London E13 0AS Job description Job responsibilities Duties and responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities to be undertaken by members of the practice administration team may include any or all of the items in the following list. Duties may be varied from time to time under the direction of the practice manager/partners, dependent on current and evolving practice workload and staffing levels: 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 Process appointment requests for today/future appointment from patients in person 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 Receive and make telephone calls as required. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery. Deal with home visit requests Ensure 2 week wait referral are emailed as soon as you receive them, completed tracker and file Ensure 2 week wait folder if checked on a daily basis Patient notes and correspondence: Retrieve and re-file records as required, ensuring strict alphabetical order is adhered to Ensure correspondence, reports, results etc. are filed promptly and in the correct records, ensuring that all recent correspondence is available when patients are seen. Ensure records are kept in good repair, with all necessary information on the outside cover clearly visible. Ensure that all new patients are registered onto the computer system promptly and accurately Explain practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover, and ensure procedures are completed Where possible check the contact details for patients, address, contact numbers and recording next of kin details and carers Process patients requests for change of address and contact numbers Enter patient information on to the computer as required Processing and distributing incoming (and outgoing) mail Taking messages and passing on information Managing the surgerys generic email accounts, dealing with requests and forwarding relevant message to other members staff when required Help promote NHS Friends and Family Questionnaires and other initiatives set by CCG and NHS England. Scanning correspondence with accuracy in patients electronic medical records Filing and retrieving paperwork Processing repeat prescriptions in accordance with practice guidelines Handing completed repeat prescription to patients, checking names and addresses 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 member and associated healthcare agencies and providers Providing clerical assistance to practice staff as required from time to time, including word/data processing, filing, photocopying and scanning Monitoring of stationery and other supplies to ensure order requests are placed to maintain adequate stock Provision of refreshments for staff and visitors as required Keeping the reception area, notice-boards and leaflet dispensers tidy and free from obstructions and clutter Undertake any other additional duties appropriate to the post as requested by the partners or the practice manager. 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 the 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 practice health & safety policy, the practice health & safety manual, and the practice infection control policy and published procedures. This will 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, 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 holders role Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually) Reporting potential risks identified Demonstrate due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children 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 recognises 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 that 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 programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, with 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 Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work Ensuring mandatory training is undertaken when required to do so. 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 recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members Communicate effectively with patients and carers Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly Contribution to the implementation of services: The post-holder will 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 audits where appropriate Flexibility: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive description of every duty performed by the receptionist, but rather a guide to the type and nature of the duties. In Essex Lodge Surgery, flexibility in the duties undertaken and the hours worked are essential to achieve the objectives of a smooth running practice. The post holder is required to carry out any duties that fall within the scope of this role, that may reasonably be requested by the Partners or the Practice Manager and that relate to the efficiency and smooth running of the Practice. Job description Job responsibilities Duties and responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities to be undertaken by members of the practice administration team may include any or all of the items in the following list. Duties may be varied from time to time under the direction of the practice manager/partners, dependent on current and evolving practice workload and staffing levels: 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 Process appointment requests for today/future appointment from patients in person 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 Receive and make telephone calls as required. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery. Deal with home visit requests Ensure 2 week wait referral are emailed as soon as you receive them, completed tracker and file Ensure 2 week wait folder if checked on a daily basis Patient notes and correspondence: Retrieve and re-file records as required, ensuring strict alphabetical order is adhered to Ensure correspondence, reports, results etc. are filed promptly and in the correct records, ensuring that all recent correspondence is available when patients are seen. Ensure records are kept in good repair, with all necessary information on the outside cover clearly visible. Ensure that all new patients are registered onto the computer system promptly and accurately Explain practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover, and ensure procedures are completed Where possible check the contact details for patients, address, contact numbers and recording next of kin details and carers Process patients requests for change of address and contact numbers Enter patient information on to the computer as required Processing and distributing incoming (and outgoing) mail Taking messages and passing on information Managing the surgerys generic email accounts, dealing with requests and forwarding relevant message to other members staff when required Help promote NHS Friends and Family Questionnaires and other initiatives set by CCG and NHS England. Scanning correspondence with accuracy in patients electronic medical records Filing and retrieving paperwork Processing repeat prescriptions in accordance with practice guidelines Handing completed repeat prescription to patients, checking names and addresses 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 member and associated healthcare agencies and providers Providing clerical assistance to practice staff as required from time to time, including word/data processing, filing, photocopying and scanning Monitoring of stationery and other supplies to ensure order requests are placed to maintain adequate stock Provision of refreshments for staff and visitors as required Keeping the reception area, notice-boards and leaflet dispensers tidy and free from obstructions and clutter Undertake any other additional duties appropriate to the post as requested by the partners or the practice manager. 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 the 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 practice health & safety policy, the practice health & safety manual, and the practice infection control policy and published procedures. This will 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, 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 holders role Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually) Reporting potential risks identified Demonstrate due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children 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 recognises 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 that 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 programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, with 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 Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work Ensuring mandatory training is undertaken when required to do so. 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 recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members Communicate effectively with patients and carers Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly Contribution to the implementation of services: The post-holder will 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 audits where appropriate Flexibility: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive description of every duty performed by the receptionist, but rather a guide to the type and nature of the duties. In Essex Lodge Surgery, flexibility in the duties undertaken and the hours worked are essential to achieve the objectives of a smooth running practice. The post holder is required to carry out any duties that fall within the scope of this role, that may reasonably be requested by the Partners or the Practice Manager and that relate to the efficiency and smooth running of the Practice. Person Specification Behaviours Essential Smart, uniform provided Polite and confident Performing under pressure Team working Desirable Flexibility Time Keeping Skills Essential Excellent communication skills, clear and polite telephone manner. Time management and the ability to work to deadlines Problem solving skills Desirable Good IT skills Qualifications Essential Good standard of general education GCSE English C or above Desirable AMSPAR Receptionist certificate NVQ Level -3 Experience Essential Must have experience of working within General Practice and using EMIS Desirable Experience of reception work in a GP Practice Experience of working with the general public IT Clinical System Essential Must have knowledge of Emis Web Clinical System Desirable Good IT Skill Person Specification Behaviours Essential Smart, uniform provided Polite and confident Performing under pressure Team working Desirable Flexibility Time Keeping Skills Essential Excellent communication skills, clear and polite telephone manner. Time management and the ability to work to deadlines Problem solving skills Desirable Good IT skills Qualifications Essential Good standard of general education GCSE English C or above Desirable AMSPAR Receptionist certificate NVQ Level -3 Experience Essential Must have experience of working within General Practice and using EMIS Desirable Experience of reception work in a GP Practice Experience of working with the general public IT Clinical System Essential Must have knowledge of Emis Web Clinical System Desirable Good IT Skill 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 Essex Lodge Surgery Address 94 Greengate Street London E13 0AS Employer's website https://www.essexlodge.com/ (Opens in a new tab)