Main duties Greeting and booking in patients. Responding efficiently and effectively to emailed, telephone, written enquiries and personal callers to the practice; take and convey messages to the doctors and other health care/admin staff as appropriate according to procedure. Making appointments by processing appointment requests using the practice system Carry out clerical procedures associated with typing duties as deemed appropriate Be responsible for the daily handling of patient notes and all associated tasks. The successful post-holder will need to evidence: Excellent communication skills both verbal and written Ability to work using own initiative Good customer service skills Flexible approach to supporting the team Information Technology Process patients change of address and associated details computer data and medical records (have knowledge of practice area). Have a working knowledge of the appointments and registration clinical system and the patient check in systems. Have a working knowledge of the document management systems within the Practice to enable efficient handling by staff with patient enquiries. Other Tasks To participate in reception cover rotas for extended hours services or covering colleagues absences as required by the Partnership. Support the team in conducting patient surveys, and ensuring that patients are able to access the service promptly and where needed. Ensure clinical rooms, reception area and waiting room, etc are left clean and tidy. Attend Practice Team meetings in order to keep up to date with new policies and procedures. Undertake training as needed to meet the role. This may occasionally require you to work outside your usual contracted times. Any other tasks allocated by managers as appropriate. 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 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 Partnership 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 Partnership may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the 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 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 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 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-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights. Personal/Professional Development: The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Partnership 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. Quality: The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Partnership, 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 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 peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly. This job description is designed to reflect duties currently incorporated in this post. These may change in light of a change in the service provided by the Partnership, but any such change will be fully discussed with the post holder. This job description is subject to an annual review.