Job summary We are looking for two Receptionists, working 17 hours per week, to join our highly rated GP surgery based in the Priorswood area of Taunton. Main duties of the job The post holders will receive, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient and effective way. The successful post holders will undertake a variety of administrative duties to assist in the smooth running of the Practice including the provision of secretarial and clerical support to clinical staff and other members of the Practice team. The post holders will facilitate effective communication between patients, members of the primary health care team, secondary care and other associated healthcare agencies. About us We have a practice list of 6400 patients and deliver care in a large purpose-built, newly extended surgery with 3 large treatment rooms and 9 clinic rooms. We are a friendly, welcoming and supportive practice and deliver high quality care to our patients. We are a teaching practice, with GP registrars and medical students. Date posted 24 January 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £11.61 an hour Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number A5730-25-0000 Job locations Lyngford Park Surgery Fletcher Close Taunton Somerset TA2 8SQ Job description Job responsibilities Duties and responsibilities may vary from time to time under the direction of the Lead Receptionist/Practice Manager, dependent on current and evolving Practice workload and staffing levels. The duties and responsibilities to be undertaken by the Practice reception team may include the following: Opening up/locking-up of Practice premises and maintaining security in accordance with Practice protocols Maintaining and monitoring the Practice appointments system Processing personal and telephone requests for appointments, visits and telephone consultations and ensuring callers are directed to the appropriate healthcare professional Processing and distributing incoming and outgoing mail Taking messages and passing on information Filing and retrieving paperwork Processing repeat prescriptions in accordance with Practice guidelines Computer data entry/data allocation and collation; processing and recording information in accordance with Practice procedures Initiating contact with and responding to requests from patients, other team members and associated healthcare agencies and providers Clearing and re-stocking consulting rooms as required Providing clerical assistance to Practice staff as required, including word/data processing, filing, photocopying and scanning Unpacking, checking and packing away clinical and non-clinical supplies Provision of refreshments for staff and visitors as required; loading and emptying the dishwasher and keeping the kitchen area clean and tidy Keeping the reception area, notice-boards and leaflet dispensers tidy and free from obstructions and clutter Help cover evening clinics at the Practice 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 The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policies, this will include: Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards Actively reporting of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas clean, assisting in the maintenance of standards of cleanliness consistent with the scope of the job holders role Undertaking periodic infection control training Reporting potential risks identified The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: 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 Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgemental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights. The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members Communicate effectively with patients and carers Recognise others needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly Job description Job responsibilities Duties and responsibilities may vary from time to time under the direction of the Lead Receptionist/Practice Manager, dependent on current and evolving Practice workload and staffing levels. The duties and responsibilities to be undertaken by the Practice reception team may include the following: Opening up/locking-up of Practice premises and maintaining security in accordance with Practice protocols Maintaining and monitoring the Practice appointments system Processing personal and telephone requests for appointments, visits and telephone consultations and ensuring callers are directed to the appropriate healthcare professional Processing and distributing incoming and outgoing mail Taking messages and passing on information Filing and retrieving paperwork Processing repeat prescriptions in accordance with Practice guidelines Computer data entry/data allocation and collation; processing and recording information in accordance with Practice procedures Initiating contact with and responding to requests from patients, other team members and associated healthcare agencies and providers Clearing and re-stocking consulting rooms as required Providing clerical assistance to Practice staff as required, including word/data processing, filing, photocopying and scanning Unpacking, checking and packing away clinical and non-clinical supplies Provision of refreshments for staff and visitors as required; loading and emptying the dishwasher and keeping the kitchen area clean and tidy Keeping the reception area, notice-boards and leaflet dispensers tidy and free from obstructions and clutter Help cover evening clinics at the Practice 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 The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policies, this will include: Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards Actively reporting of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas clean, assisting in the maintenance of standards of cleanliness consistent with the scope of the job holders role Undertaking periodic infection control training Reporting potential risks identified The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: 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 Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgemental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights. The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members Communicate effectively with patients and carers Recognise others needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly Person Specification Experience Essential Practical experience of working with others. Experience of using own initiative. Experience of customer service. Practical experience of computerised recording systems. Practical experience of working in a busy office environment Desirable Experience of working within a General Practice Reception environment. Experience of minute taking and accurate recording of meetings. Qualifications Essential Good standard of general education. GCSE in English and Maths Desirable NVQ in Customer Service Skills Essential Excellent communication skills (written and oral). Computer literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office package. Time management and the ability to work to deadlines. Problem solving skills. Interpersonal skills Person Specification Experience Essential Practical experience of working with others. Experience of using own initiative. Experience of customer service. Practical experience of computerised recording systems. Practical experience of working in a busy office environment Desirable Experience of working within a General Practice Reception environment. Experience of minute taking and accurate recording of meetings. Qualifications Essential Good standard of general education. GCSE in English and Maths Desirable NVQ in Customer Service Skills Essential Excellent communication skills (written and oral). Computer literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office package. Time management and the ability to work to deadlines. Problem solving skills. Interpersonal skills Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Lyngford Park Surgery Address Lyngford Park Surgery Fletcher Close Taunton Somerset TA2 8SQ Employer's website https://www.lyngford.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)