Job Summary: The purpose of the role is to: Receive, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient and effective way. Undertake a variety of administrative duties to assist in the smooth running of the practice. Offer general assistance to the Practice team and project a positive and friendly image to patients and other visitors, either in person, via the telephone or online. Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities to be undertaken by members of the Practice administration team may include any, or all of the items in the following list. Duties may be varied from time to time under the direction of the Lead Receptionist or Management Team dependent on current and evolving Practice workload and staffing levels: Processing personal, telephone and online requests (via Footfall) for telephone consultations, appointments and visits ensuring callers are directed to the appropriate Doctor/healthcare professional. Answering all incoming telephone calls promptly and taking accurate messages where necessary and passing on information to the appropriate members of the practice team (duties are on a rota). Greeting all patients and visitors at the reception or on the telephone in a courteous manner and ensure that all enquiries are dealt with efficiently and professionally. Explaining practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover and ensure procedures are completed. Processing letters for clinics and patients as and when required. Processing prescription requests, dealing with prescription enquiries and handing out prescriptions, checking names and addresses in accordance with practice guidelines. Computer data entry/data allocation and collation; processing, recording and retrieving information in accordance with practice procedures. Identifying patients needs by checking in the Clinical System for any warnings, upcoming reviews, screenings or immunisations that are due. Updating any relevant details on the patients records. Setting-up and securing of practice premises and maintaining security in accordance with practice protocols. Keeping the reception area tidy and free from obstructions and clutter. Ensuring that reception is appropriately stocked, referring to Lead Receptionist to order appropriate stock/stationary items as and where required. Ensuring tasks and workflows are completed in a timely manner. Arranging interpretation, district nursing care and other services for patients. Checking and monitoring own and reception email account. Ensuring all medical records and patient information is not accessible to unauthorised persons and are locked away at the end of the day. Undertaking any other additional duties appropriate to the post as requested by the Lead Receptionist or Management Team. Confidentiality: 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. Comply with the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act when dealing with requests for Information. 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 is to be regarded as strictly confidential. Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data. Health & Safety: The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health& Safety Policy, to include: Using personal security systems with in 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 Reporting potential risks identified. Equality and Diversity: The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: Acting in a way that recognizes 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-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, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work. Responsible for Mandatory Training is completed. Quality: The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will: Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision 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 performance Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs Effectively manage own time, workload and resources. Communication: The post-holder should recognize 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 peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly. Contribution to the Implementation of Services: The post-holder will: Apply practice policies, standards and guidance Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work, sharing good practice and knowledge. Participate in audit where appropriate.