Job summary: Receive, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient and effective way. To provide a wide range of administrative support within the Health Centre to facilitate safe, effective and efficient patient care to the practice population, undertaking administrative duties as directed by the management team. To work closely with other members of the team to ensure that all duties are completed in a timely manner. To communicate effectively with the practice population providing good customer service. To provide general assistance to the all members of the practice team and project a positive and friendly image to patients and other visitors, either in person or via the telephone. Reception Duties: Greet all patients and visitors on arrival in to the building Answer the telephone, dealing with and/or directing enquiries as appropriate Respond to patient queries and request for assistance if needed Book appropriate appointments on the practice computer system Take messages at the front desk or over the telephone for same day advice/appointments/home visit requests according to practice protocol Ensure that all urgent requests for information are dealt with promptly Explain practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover and ensure procedures are completed accurately Advise patients of relevant charges for private (non General Medical Services) services, accept payment and issue receipts for same Take non urgent messages and notify the relevant staff member following practice protocol Ensure that patients who present with acute symptoms at the desk or over the telephone are dealt with according to the practice protocol (including telephoning 999 where appropriate) and documenting the actions in the patients electronic record Ensure that all contacts with patients are documented on the computer system where appropriate by entering an administration note on the consultation screen within EMIS Contact patients, when advised, asking them to make an appointment with the relevant healthcare professional Give results of investigations to the patients as per practice protocol Registrations of new patients computer data entry and medical records ensure that all new patients are registered on to the computer system promptly and accurately Receive specimens from patients at the request of the clinicians you will be expected to transfer clinical specimens in sealed request bags to pathology bags for collection Administration Duties: To have a thorough knowledge of all practice procedures and computer systems. To develop your knowledge to a standard so that you are able to teach others To work in accordance of written protocols Filing post in medical records if required Email and photocopy as requested Deal with all general enquiries, explain procedures and make new and follow-up appointments Receive and make telephone calls. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery Action requests or ambulance transportation (urgent bookings only) and enter details as per the usual system Enter patient information on to the computer as required, ensuring three point check policy is adhered to Adding and generating of sample test requests within the EMIS system Provide prompt support to clinicians in surgery and other colleagues when needed Chaperone the GPs if asked to do so General Duties: Ensure building security at all times have thorough knowledge of doors/windows/alarm. Open up premises at the start of the day when first to arrive, deactivate alarm, open all clinical rooms, open the side gate entrance and make all necessary preparations to receive patients When last to leave at the end of the day, ensure the building is totally secured, internal lights are off, computers are switched off or all left on as per guidance, radio/heaters/fans are switched off Undertake any other additional duties and tasks as requested by the management team Daily check of emails both personal work emails and practice emails and action as required Flexibility: Cover the work of colleagues during periods of annual leave and/or sickness in other clerical areas of the practice as directed by the Office Manager or other member of management team Request annual leave in advance from the Office Manager, according to the practice protocol In case of sickness, to inform the Office Manager as soon as possible that absence is likely Cover various shifts/changes to hours in addition to your own hours/shifts if requested to by the Office Manager or other member of management team if required due to sickness or annual leave 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, you 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 Equality and diversity: You 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 You must co-operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure quality of employment. Colleagues, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc. Personal/professional development: You 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 Sharing learning opportunities with staff/encouraging others development Quality: You 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 Develop measures which add value to office function and patient access (e.g. call volumes, appointments availability) and share these ideas with the Office Manager Communication: You should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with all other team members including your line manager and other members of the management team Communicate effectively with patients and carers Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly General Clause: This job description is not intended to be exhaustive but to indicate the main responsibilities of the post and will be reviewed from time to time after consultation with yourself and also with other members of the management team and members of the partnership to reflect the needs and development of the Practice. There may be other duties required of you commensurate with the position. All members of staff should be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain the efficient running of the Practice.