DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Reception Receive and make calls as required. Divert calls and take messages as appropriate Meet, greet and book in patients visiting the practice and to act as a first point of contact To facilitate patients accessing the clinical care provided by the practice. Manage the flow of patients at reception for appointments, prescriptions or queries Explain practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover, and ensure procedures are completed Advise patients of relevant charges for private services, accept payments and issue receipts Respond to all queries and requests for assistance from patients and other visitors Enter requests for home visits into visit book stating time received and including all relevant information and where necessary refer to the duty doctor Ensure that requests for prescriptions are forwarded to the prescription clerk or Duty Doctor as appropriate Action requests for ambulance transportation and enter details in appropriate forms Ensure all calls and appointment bookings are managed appropriately and in line with practice protocols Ensure reception, waiting area and own workstation are kept neat and tidy Support GPs and the wider clinical team in providing care Receiving and handling specimens from patients, ensuring they are processed and recorded appropriately whilst observing H&S regulations Processing tasks daily and dealing with urgent tasks as soon as they arrive. Accessing practice emails; distributing and actioning them as appropriate Processing new patient registrations Management of appointment system Ensure total familiarity with all appointment systems in advance for each consulting session Making appointments by processing appointment requests for that day, future appointments from patients in person and on the telephone. Start and end of day procedures Open up premises at the start of day, set alarm to day function and make all necessary preparation to receive patients Secure premises at end of day, ensure the building is totally secured, internal lights off and alarm is activated Administration To have a thorough knowledge of all practice policies, procedures and protocols, ensuring we work in accordance with these Provide administrative support for clinical staff. Scanning/Distribution/Filing of patient/hospital/external agency correspondence as necessary. Opening and distribution or practice post To send letters to patients as necessary Updating patient details i.e. Change of address, telephone numbers etc. Miscellaneous An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality An ability to use own judgment, resourcefulness, common sense and local knowledge, to respond to patients enquiries and requests Excellent communication skills and courteous manner Any other delegated duties considered appropriate to the post