MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Reception Duties Utilise computer system to ensure efficiency of appointment system and monitor flow of patients into consulting and treatment rooms To make new or follow-up appointments over the telephone or in person in accordance with the Practice Policy Ensure that patients who need urgent appointments are seen in accordance with the Practice Policy To answer general enquiries in person or on the telephone, explaining surgery procedures. Explain practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover, ensuring procedures are completed. To receive written repeat prescription requests and to issue repeat prescriptions and set out for doctors to check and sign before collection. Advise patients of relevant charges for private services, accept payment and issue receipts for same. Respond to all queries and requests for assistance from patients and other visitors Action requests for ambulance transportation Take appropriate action for booking interpreters Relay messages in accordance with Practice Policy Receive samples over the desk and store in accordance with Practice Policy until collection Ensure reception and waiting areas are kept neat and tidy and stocked with relevant patient information MANAGEMENT OF APPOINTMENT SYSTEM Ensure total familiarity with all appointment systems in effect Book appointments and recalls Monitor effectiveness of the system and report any problems to your manager OPERATION OF TELEPHONE SYSTEM Answer external and internal telephones promptly Receive and make calls as required. Divert calls and take messages as appropriate. Ensure that the system is operational at the beginning of the day To receive and accurately record messages for GPs, nurses and any other staff To deal with patient requests for test results MANAGEMENT OF MEDICAL RECORDS Retrieve and re file records as required, ensuring strict alphabetical order is adhered to. Ensure correspondence, reports, results etc are filed in correct order Ensure new records are merged with old notes in line with practice policy Ensure records are kept neat and tidy and in good repair with necessary information recorded correctly on the cover. To complete necessary documentation for all patients, registered and non-registered making sure all registration forms, new medical records, immunisation cards, summary cards, change of address and temporary registration forms are all complete before the patient see the doctor or nurse SCANNING To scan all documents in accordance with the Practice PolicyTo file all scanned documents in the appropriate filing system START AND END OF PROCEDURES Open up the premises at the start of the day, and make all necessary preparation to receive patients. GENERAL To operate the practice computer, maintaining accurate patient registration details, printing prescriptions making appointments etc. To act as chaperone on occasions for the doctors or nurses. To attend training when organised by the Practice Manager To attend meetings with the Reception Manager and/or Practice Manager when necessary To assist with mailings and patient recall letters Photocopy, fax and distribute literature Shredding confidential material Opening and distributing post Any other duties appropriate to the grade The post holder may be required to change his/her principal responsibilities at any time should the needs of the organisation so demand.