JOB DESCRIPTION: RECEPTIONIST REPORTS TO: Practice Manager/Senior Staff Partner 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 ensure procedures are completed. Receive and make telephone calls as required. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery with particular reference to GP triage Action repeat prescription requests and ensure that they are ready for collection by the patient/transferred via EPS to nominated pharmacy within 48 hours. Note: The responsibility for dealing with acute prescription requests rests with the practice dispenser or duty doctor. Prepare lists and notes for all surgeries and clinics held, ensuring completion of all associated paperwork. 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. Patient notes and correspondence: o Retrieve and re-file records as required, ensuring strict alphabetical and chronological order is adhered to o Ensure correspondence, reports, results etc are scanned promptly and in the correct records, ensuring that all recent correspondence is available when patients are seen. o Ensure records are kept in good repair with all necessary information on the outside cover clearly visible. o Open up premises at the start of the day when first to arrive, de-activate alarm and make all necessary preparations to receive patients. o When last to leave at the end of the day, ensure that the building is totally secured, internal lights are off and the alarm activated. Ensure that all new patients are registered onto the computer system promptly and accurately and any change of address dealt with appropriately. 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 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. Equality and Diversity: The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues. Personal/Professional Development: The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment. Quality: The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice. 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 audit where appropriate.