Apprentice Medical Secretary - Gastroenterology

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Norwich; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Norwich seeks an Apprentice Medical Secretary for its Gastroenterology Department. This role involves acting as a contact point for communications, managing patient records, and ensuring accurate data entry. Ideal candidates should possess good communication skills and relevant qualifications. The contract is fixed-term for 14 months with full-time hours at 37.5 per week. Various benefits including flexible working hours, gym membership discounts, and career development support are offered.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Discounted gym memberships

Excellent pension scheme

Qualifications

• Aged 16+.
• Resident in the UK/EEA for the last three consecutive years.
• Must not have a qualification in a similar subject at the same level or above.

Responsibilities

• Act as point of contact for all communications between Consultant, patients, and various stakeholders.
• Type clinic/patient result letters and update PAS.
• Assist patients in arranging translation facilities.

Skills

Good communication and interpersonal skills

Good IT skills

Good standard of literacy and numeracy

Education

4 GCSE’s at Grade D/3 or above (or equivalent)

Job description

A Vacancy at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Fixed term contract for 14 months. We encourage and support your progression beyond your Apprenticeship.

We are proud of our Apprentice success rates: 92% obtain a substantive post within the Trust at the end of their Apprenticeship, and 98% have further plans in place thereafter.

Opportunity

An Apprentice Medical Secretary is needed in the Gastroenterology Department (Hepatology/Pancreatic, Nutrition, Inflammatory Bowel Disease). The role involves outpatient clinics, inpatient and outpatient endoscopy and ward support.

Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria

• Aged 16+.
• Resident in the UK/EEA for the last three consecutive years.
• Must not have a qualification in a similar subject at the same level or above.
• Must not be in any form of formal government‑funded education upon the start of the apprenticeship.

Qualifications and Skills Required

• Good general standard of education.
• 4 GCSE’s at Grade D/3 or above (or equivalent) subject to the job specification.
• Good standard of literacy and numeracy.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good IT skills.

Full-time Hours

37.5 hours per week.

Job Responsibilities

• Act as point of contact for all communications between the Consultant, patients, relatives, hospital staff, GPs and outside agencies.
• Type clinic/patient result letters and update PAS.
• Deal with enquiries from patients and staff, providing routine and non‑routine information and non‑clinical advice.
• Communicate appropriately with patients who are fearful, aggressive or have sensitive concerns.
• Assist patients and their carers by arranging translation / interpretation facilities via INTRAN.
• Attend to all communications (emails, faxes, investigation results) daily.
• Accurately transcribe all correspondence by touch typing from audio dictation using medical terminology.
• Make outpatient appointments in response to urgent referrals and AMU referrals, overbooking clinics as necessary.
• Obtain patient case notes and test results as necessary and contribute to accurate maintenance of records.
• Frequent bending, lifting and transportation of heavy, bulky case notes (average weight 17 kilos).
• Provide accurate and confidential information for data entry, adhering to Caldicott and Data Protection Act and retrieving patient information via PAS, RIS, ICE and other departmental software.
• Register new patients and create new set of patient notes as required.
• Assist in audit work as required by Consultant and Medical Staff.

Benefits

• Flexible working hours.
• Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service.
• Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site.
• Discounted gym memberships.
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement.
• Wagestream – access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it.
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site.
• Free 24‑hours confidential counselling support.
• On‑site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane.
• On‑site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane.
• Support in career development.
• Flexible staff bank.
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics.

Please view the attached job description for full details of the role and use your supporting statement to confirm how you meet the essential and desirable criteria on the job specification.

Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 4211 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa. The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

This advert closes on Friday 16 Jan 2026.