Job summary
A medical receptionist serves as the first point of contact for patients in a healthcare facility, ensuring a welcoming and efficient environment. This role involves managing front desk operations, including greeting patients, scheduling appointments, and handling inquiries both in-person and over the phone. They work closely with healthcare providers to ensure smooth communication and coordination of patient care.
Key responsibilities include managing the flow of patients in the waiting area, handling sensitive patient information with confidentiality, and ensuring records are kept up to date with patient data. The role requires strong organizational skills, the ability to multitask, and a compassionate approach to patient interactions. A medical receptionist must possess excellent communication skills to effectively interact with patients, healthcare providers, and other contacts.
In addition to administrative duties, the medical receptionist may assist with directing patients to appropriate departments. The role demands attention to detail, particularly in managing appointment schedules and processing patient data. Familiarity with medical terminology is beneficial, but not essential. The medical receptionist plays a crucial role in ensuring a positive patient experience by providing efficient, courteous service and maintaining a well-organized, professional front office.
Main duties of the job
Administration
To work in accordance of written protocols.
Email and photocopy as requested.
Ensure correspondence, reports, results etc are filed promptly and in the correct records, ensuring that all recent correspondence is available when patients are seen.
Reception
Ensure an effective and efficient reception service is provided to patients and any other visitors to the Practice.
Receiving patients consulting with members of Practice team.
Advise patients of relevant charges for private services, accept payment and issue receipts for same.
Appointments
Deal with all general enquiries, appointment requests for future appointments from patients by telephone and in person.
Deal with visit requests.
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.
Computer
Ensure that all new patients are registered onto the computer system promptly and accurately.
Process patients change of address, computer data and medical records.
Scan letters onto patients records ensuring the correct patient records are used.
Telephone
Have working knowledge of telephone system.
Receive and make telephone calls as required. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery.
Other Tasks
Provide patients with test results after the doctor has reviewed results.
About us
At NECS we are very proud to be part of the NHS England family. We are one of the very few truly customer-owned entities within the NHS. We have grown from our roots in the North East to be an NHS business with customers the length and breadth of the UK and further abroad. Our customer base has diversified significantly over this period, and we are now very pleased to be serving NHS providers as well as commissioners, NHSE regions, Local Authorities, General Practices and national NHSE Directorates.
NECS combines specialist skills and expertise with scale and resilience to achieve required results. We combine core NHS values with a sharp focus on customer care and a relentless pursuit of continuous improvement. We very much see ourselves as a key partner in the future success of the healthcare system and we take our share of the responsibility for shaping effective delivery.
Our people are the heart of our organisation. We strive to ensure they feel trusted, valued and empowered. Were passionate about nurturing and developing people. When you join us, we want you to grow, and we offer many opportunities for you to do that as well as an excellent benefits package including generous holidays and pension plus free car parking and access to NHS discounts.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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,
Please see the attached Job Description in Supporting Documents for more information.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
1. Computer literate with an ability to use the required GP clinical systems.
2. General office skills, photocopier, scanning, shredding.
3. Awareness of Data Protection Act and need for confidentiality of Information.
4. Attention to detail, able to work accurately, identifying errors quickly and easily.
5. Excellent understanding of data protection and confidentiality issues.
6. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with team members, patients, carers, and other healthcare professionals, with the ability to adjust communication style.
7. Committed to own continuing personal development and an ability to support others to develop and progress.
Desirable
8. Experience of working in a medical or primary care setting.
Qualifications
Essential
9. GCSEs at grade C or equivalent (or 4-9), including English and Maths.
Desirable
10. Training in administration/clerical duties at NVQ level or above.
11. NVQ Level 2/3 in Customer Services or Health Care or related discipline.