Job summary
Our Patient Services Team assist in the smooth and effective running of the reception and administrative function within a busy medical practice, providing a high-quality service to patients, partners and other practice staff.
Main duties of the job
KEY RESULT AREAS/RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Assist patients with obtaining appointments at a time and place convenient to them both face to face and over the telephone.
2. Respond to patients requests for information or assistance by ensuring these requests are directed to the most appropriate clinician.
3. Respond to doctors and other clinical members of staff requests for information or assistance and to liaise with external agencies as necessary, anticipating problems and seeking solutions.
4. Providing cover for the main reception telephone.
5. Ensuring messages are passed on quickly and accurately and that all necessary action is taken.
6. Receive, send, file or dispose of information in a secure manner to ensure that confidentiality of information is maintained.
7. Providing cover for the main reception desk.
8. Ensure daily surgeries run efficiently and smoothly, advising patients of any delays.
9. Registering new patients to the Practice.
10. Managing the contents of the community notice board/health promotion boards in the main reception areas.
11. Assist in the maintenance, reviews and updates of reception procedures and protocols.
12. To operate in accordance with the practice protocols and guidelines.
13. To undertake opening and closing procedures which will include; ensuring that the building is secure and un-setting/ setting security alarm.
14. Be willing to take on additional tasks and duties, for which training will be given, to be able to provide a full reception service at any one of the two sites.
About us
Following the merge of 2 GP Practices and changes within the local Primary Care provision, Ariel Healthcare is a dynamic and innovative team who strive to provide the best possible service for our patients.
With staff and patient welfare are the forefront of everything we do, the team is driven to provide an excellent service to the ever growing population of Chard and surrounding areas.
Based within the South Somerset countryside, Chard still maintains a small town feel and the practice is part of a close knit community. On the border of both Devon and Dorset, Chard benefits from good transport links to Taunton and Yeovil, whilst still not being too far from the Jurassic Coast.
Working across 2 sites, our team of dedicated staff are hoping to find the right person to enhance the team further.
A little more about us;
15. 21,500 Patients
16. Multi- disciplinary team: with HCAs, Nurse Associates, Nurses, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Paramedics
17. Urgent Care Hub focussing on acute care with an MDT approach
18. Training Practice: GP and Nursing students
19. Focus on staff development: encouraging each individual to follow their passions
20. High QOF achievement
21. CQC rating: Good
22. PCN Working: collaborating closely with local colleagues to enhance patient care whilst maintaining our practice ethos.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY RESULT AREAS/RESPONSIBILITIES:
23. Assist patients with obtaining appointments at a time and place convenient to them both face to face and over the telephone.
24. Respond to patients requests for information or assistance by ensuring these requests are directed to the most appropriate person in the practice.
25. Respond to doctors and other clinical members of staff requests for information or assistance and to liase with external agencies as necessary, anticipating problems and seeking solutions in advance.
26. Providing cover for the main reception telephone.
27. Ensuring messages are passed on quickly and accurately and that all necessary action is taken.
28. Ensure e-mails are responded to in a timely manner and that all necessary action is taken.
29. Ensure filing is kept up to date.
30. Assist with post opening and distribution of correspondence.
31. Receive, send, file or dispose of information in a secure manner to ensure that confidentiality of information is maintained.
32. Providing cover for the main reception desk.
33. Ensure daily surgeries run efficiently and smoothly, advising patients of any delays.
34. Registering new patients to the Practice.
35. Scanning correspondence into patients medical records.
36. Undertake straightforward coding of results into patients medical records.
37. Assist in maintaining a clean and tidy waiting room.
38. Managing the contents of the community notice board/health promotion boards in the main reception areas.
39. Assist in the maintenance, reviews and updates of reception procedures and protocols.
40. Greeting visitors to the practice.
41. To operate in accordance with the practice protocols and guidelines.
42. To undertake opening and closing procedures which will include; ensuring that the building is secure and un-setting/ setting security alarm.
43. Be willing to take on additional tasks and duties, for which training will be given, in order to be able to provide a full reception service1 at any one of the three sites.
CONFIDENTIALITY
In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust the practice with, or allow the practice 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 however stored is to be regarded as strictly confidential and staff should only access information held in the Practice for a valid purpose and only appropriate to their job role and will be required to sign an agreement to this effect.
Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in the proper course of your employment or as required by legislation.
HEALTH & SAFETY
The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security, to include:
44. Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks thereby contributing to a safe working environment
45. Using security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines
46. Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection
47. Reporting potential risks identified.
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:
48. 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
49. Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues
50. Behaving in a manner which 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, including:
51. Active participation in regular individual performance review, including an annual appraisal
52. Taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development
53. Active participation in training to update knowledge and skills in order to maintain competency, including mandatory training.
QUALITY
The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will:
54. 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/Practices performance
55. Contribute to the achievement of practice contractual obligations and targets.
56. Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk
57. Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision
58. Support a culture of sharing information, knowledge and reflective practice
59. Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs
60. Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.
61. Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance.
COMMUNICATION
The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:
62. Communicate effectively with other team members
63. Communicate effectively with patients and carers
64. Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SERVICES
The post-holder will:
65. Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance
66. Remain up to date with the practice objectives
67. Take a full and active part in the staff meetings offering views and opinions to inform decision- making in the practice
68. Participate in audit where appropriate.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
69. GCSE A- C English and Maths
Experience
Desirable
70. Experience of working in primary care
71. Experience of working in a GP practice