Business Administration Apprentice

Coastland College; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Coastland College in Dorchester is offering a Business Administrator Level 3 apprenticeship within Prince of Wales Surgery. The role combines on‑the‑job learning across Patient Services and general administration, with bi-weekly college attendance during term times.

You will gain experience handling patient enquiries, data entry, record keeping and project support for senior managers, while developing IT and communication skills in a healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths (grade 4) or equivalent.
• Commitment to completing apprenticeship and training.
• Able to attend college alongside work.
• Willing to learn in a healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

• Support Patient Services with day-to-day admin and patient-facing tasks.
• Assist with general administration: filing, data entry, scanning.
• Learn practice workflow and assist with projects for senior managers.
• Develop IT and MS Office skills while maintaining confidentiality.
• Work across Dorchester and Portesham sites as needed.

Skills

Customer care skills

Analytical skills

Logical

Initiative

Non judgemental

Reliable

Education

GCSE Maths (grade 4) or equivalent

Job description

Closes in 10 days (Friday 13 November 2026 at 11:59pm)

The successful apprentice will work across Patient Services, general administration, practice workflow and support for senior management. You will gain an insight into how a healthcare organisation operates, while developing practical administration, communication, IT, organisation and customer service skills.

Wage

£15,600 to £24,784.50, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Hours 24 months (initial fixed-term contract). Monday to Friday: 7.5 hours per day, including bi-weekly college attendance (during term-times only). The working pattern will be agreed with the apprentice and training provider.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Tuesday 1 December 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands‑on experience.

What you’ll do at work

• Support the Patient Services Team with day-to-day administrative and patient-facing tasks, helping the practice provide an efficient and welcoming service.
• Assist with general administration, including filing, data entry, document preparation, scanning, correspondence and maintaining accurate records.
• Gain experience of practice workflow and how different teams work together across a GP surgery, including supporting administrative processes and responding to routine requests.
• Provide administrative support to senior managers with tasks such as preparing information, updating records, organising meetings, producing documents and assisting with projects.
• Develop confidence using practice IT systems and Microsoft Office, while learning how confidentiality and information governance apply within a healthcare setting.
• Work with colleagues across the organisation and, where appropriate, gain experience at both the Dorchester and Portesham branch sites.

Where you’ll work

2 FREDERICK TREVES HOUSE
ST. JOHN WAY
DORCHESTER
DORSET
DT1 2FD

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

• Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
• Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
• Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
• Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
• Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themselves to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best‑practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
• Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
• Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

The apprentice will attend college/training as required as part of the Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship. Training will cover the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of a business administrator, alongside practical workplace experience. On successful completion, the apprentice will achieve the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard and the associated qualification/assessment required by the training provider.

Requirements

GCSE in:

• Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Customer care skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Reliable

Other requirements

You MUST be prepared to commit to your work and training for the duration of the apprenticeship. You will be required to attend an interview and assessment at Coastland College to ensure you meet the requirements for the apprenticeship.If a suitable candidate is found prior to the advertised closing date, it may close earlier so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

About this employer

Prince of Wales Surgery is an NHS GP practice serving the local community from two sites in West Dorset: Dorchester and Portesham. We provide NHS primary care services and have a multidisciplinary team covering clinical, patient services, administration, dispensary and management functions. The practice operates as one organisation across two branches and is committed to providing safe, high-quality and innovative healthcare, with patients at the heart of everything we do. This apprenticeship provides an opportunity to learn about the many non-clinical functions that support the delivery of primary care.

This is a varied and wide-ranging apprenticeship offering the opportunity to gain experience across the non-clinical side of a busy GP practice. The successful apprentice will work across Patient Services, general administration, practice workflow and support for senior management. You will gain an insight into how a healthcare organisation operates, while developing practical administration, communication, IT, organisation and customer service skills. The role would suit someone who is keen to learn, enjoys working with people, is organised and would like to build a broad range of business administration experience in a supportive team environment.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of confidentiality and professionalism, alongside a genuine willingness to learn and develop. They will be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, with a reliable and committed approach to their work. A positive attitude, strong work ethic, and enthusiasm for contributing to the organisation are essential.

Following successful completion of the apprenticeship, the right candidate may be offered a permanent position within Prince of Wales Surgery, subject to vacancies and performance. The broad experience gained could also support progression into practice administration, patient services, business administration or wider healthcare administration roles.

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

01305 250989

The reference code for this apprenticeship isVAC2000060009.