Working as part of a team to provide secretarial support to the medical workforce.
Typing of clinical correspondence using digital communication methods.
Working across all specialties (ODGH/SDGH) to ensure timely dispatch of information.
Provide support to the medical secretary as required. The post holder will carry out the duties in such a way as to make a direct and positive contribution to the organisation of the work and so assist the medical secretaries in maximising the most effective use of their time.
We use digital dictation systems and full training will be given to the successful candidate.
Typing of clinical correspondence using digital/audio systems.
Work across both medical and surgical specialities to ensure typing targets are met.
Provide support to the medical secretaries as required. The post holder will carry out the duties in such a way as to make a direct and positive contribution to the organisation of the workload.
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Main duties & responsibilities
Typing clinical and non-clinical correspondence and reports including the transcription and management of audio sources (eg, digital dictation). Correspondence should be sent via electronic methods unless there is an enclosure which is not capable of being sent electronically. There is frequent indirect exposure to distressing or emotional situations in this clinical correspondence.
Support theachievement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for medical secretary service, eg, ensuring dictation and clinical correspondence is produced in a timely manner in line with CCG requirements
Use initiative to manage and prioritise workload in liaison with Medical Secretary Manager while dealing with competing demands
Ensure own time is planned to meet commissioned targets of clinic letters reaching GP’s.
Ensure the timely dispatch of all relevant information to other medical staff and external organisations in relation to the locally agreed requirements.
Using own judgement, deal with enquiries from patients, GP’s, other hospital departments, often of a sensitive or distressing nature, both face-to-face and by telephone, where necessary escalating more complex issues
When necessary, provide general clerical support as directed by the Medical Secretaries / Medical Secretary Managers
Access the computerised Patient Administration System (CareFlow) for relevant patient details, updating patient records as necessary
To ensure confidentiality and safe custody of patient case notes, and ensure any remaining paper filing for electronic case notes is processed appropriately.
Photocopying, filing and distribution of mail within the department in liaison with the clerical officers at the request of the Medical Secretaries
Liaison with the Appointments department to arrange outpatient appointments at the request of the Consultant or Medical Secretaries within the team.
Retrieve radiology and pathology results from core clinical systems.
Co-operate in the introduction of new technology as it may apply.
The post holder may be expected to rotate across a range of specialties and sites (as workload is not solely allocated to one specialty)
The post holder will be expected to carry out any other duties as directed by the Medical Secretary Manager
To assist, where appropriate, in the provision of cover for other colleagues during absences
Assist in the orientation of new members of staff by demonstrating own duties.
Make economical use of supplies, ensuring office has adequate reserves.
The above does not purport to be an exhaustive list of duties, but it is intended to indicate the type and range of responsibilities involved. The job content will be reassessed periodically. The content will be discussed with the post holder during such a review.
Private work may be undertaken by individual arrangement with Medical Staff, but should not be done during NHS working hours and must be declared to the Medical Secretary Manager.
WELLBEING
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to supporting and prioritising the wellbeing of our workforce through a range of dedicated services. The Trust's Health, Work and Wellbeing department offers comprehensive support, including the Wellbeing Hub, which provides 1:1 appointments, group sessions, events, and bespoke support for teams and departments. Each department has a Wellbeing Champion who actively promotes staff welfare. Wellbeing Champion organises regular Wellbeing Events, which staff are encouraged to attend. Additionally, the Trust runs a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, providing free and confidential support for any issues staff may face.
We are dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for all our colleagues, particularly in the face of challenges. We strive to maintain an open culture where staff feel comfortable seeking help and know they will be met with understanding and compassion. Colleagues have access to the resources they need, including peer support and professional services provided by the Trust. Together, we prioritise both patient care and the wellbeing of our entire workforce.
This advert closes on Tuesday 4 Feb 2025
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