Dental Receptionist

NHS; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading NHS dental service in Ipswich as a receptionist, where you will play a vital role in providing administrative support and enhancing patient experience. The role requires great communication, organisation, and teamwork skills, as well as a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service in a busy, supportive environment. This position is perfect for someone flexible and motivated to make a difference in the health service.

Benefits

Generous Annual Leave entitlement

Continuous Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Family Friendly Policies

Flu vaccinations for staff

Uniform

State-of-the-art dental facilities

DBS check fully funded

Qualifications

• Experience in a dental setting (receptionist or dental nurse) is essential.
• Strong organisational skills and flexibility are required.
• Must maintain professional indemnity and registration with the GDC.

Responsibilities

• Welcoming service users and managing appointments in a professional manner.
• Providing advice to service users and managing their queries.
• Assisting in the decontamination of instruments and maintaining records.

Skills

Communication

Customer Service

Teamwork

Time Management

Empathy

Education

NVQ level 3 / A Level standard

Customer Service Training

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

To be part of a wider dental team providing reception, administrative & clerical support to the dental service using computerised systems. This will include assisting with the decontamination of instruments, as required.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Welcoming and receiving service users and their carers into the dental service

Deal with telephone and face to face enquiries about the dental service in a professional and empathetic manner.

To make, change and update appointments for service users which will include direct face to face and telephone contact

Offer regular updates to service users waiting and where appropriate explain any reason for the delay in being seen.

Explain NHS service user charges using professional judgement and empathy when there may be barriers to understanding.

Provide advice and information to service users and or carers, ensuring that leaflets and all information presented is current.

Work collaboratively with the dental team, senior leaders and wider colleagues to maintain the effective running of the dental service.

Administrative & Clerical Support:

To enter service user details onto computer system, collecting all essential demographic information. Distribute medical history forms to service users, collect and provide to the dentist.

To utilise the appointment book to fully optimised clinical appointments

Using computerised systems to track and monitor waiting times

Monitor the service user’s welfare and alert clinical team, if necessary, of any concerns.

Prepare electronic FP17PR, medical history and other appropriate documentation, gaining service user/or significant other’s signature.

Arrange appointments for service users referred into the service, electronic records for the service user, entering details of the referring practitioner onto the computer system.

Receive and record details for outreach visits. Liaise with the dental team about appointments and arrange outreach visits, where applicable.

Organise incoming and outgoing correspondence

Assist with all financial aspects including administering service user charges and receiving various type of payments – cash, credit and debit cards. As appropriate, to cash up at the end of the session and regularly bank dental income.

To be responsible for regularly updating the dental income database

To be responsible for petty cash.

Demonstrate own activities or workplace routines to new or less experienced staffs in own work area

Input data to maintain accurate stock control record as required, liaising with the Senior Dental Nurse regarding stock levels and ordering requirements

Check that dental instruments and equipment in store are within the ‘use by’ date and reprocess non-compliant items

Collect dental instruments and equipment requiring decontamination from dental surgeries and to deliver clean instruments ready for use.

Assist with the organising of general and periodic machine servicing and action accordingly and when required:

Decontaminate dental instruments and equipment, working to the Service’s quality systems, policies, procedures, and guidelines as required.

Document all daily maintenance of machines and equipment as required.

Carry out all dental instrument and equipment tracking as required.

Comply with the daily documentation of the decontamination of all equipment.

using an automated washer, dental instruments and dental equipment as required to manufacturers’ guidelines.

disinfect dental equipment in accordance with manufacturers’ guidelines.

Regularly check the tidiness of the waiting and reception area, tidy as necessary and clean play equipment in accordance with the Infection Control Policy; ensure noticeboards display current information.

Assist with stocktaking and requisitioning of supplies and processing payment. This may include a range of items including dental laboratory work, laundry, stationery and dental sundries, etc.

Carry out daily equipment checks to adhere to health and safety regulations and organising the repair of all defects to be dealt with promptly.

Professionalism, Leadership and Management:

To be responsible for promoting the Organisation’s values and high-performance standards both individually and as a team, in the achievement of our strategic objectives and priorities

To build a strong external image of clinical excellence for the organisation and create opportunities to enhance the profile of the social enterprise and its services, ensuring high social responsibility.

Act within other professionally laws and systems including Health and Safety, Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Legislation.

Observe all policies and procedures and maintain the Staff Confidentiality Code of Conduct at all times.

Follow and implement operational and clinical policies and procedures to comply with legislation.

Apply safe working practices and take responsibility for own actions.

Support other members of the dental and wider healthcare team in the interest of service users.

Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through education, training, and practice against agreed occupational standards.

Apply an evidence-based approach to learning, practice and decision making and utilise critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Take responsibility for personal development planning and reflective practice.

Maintain professional behaviour and appearance, including being punctual and polite.

Effectively manage own time and resources.

The duties of this post may vary from time to time as a result of new legislation, changes in technology or policy changes. In this case, appropriate training may be given to the post holder to undertake this new varied work.

About us

The University of Suffolk Dental Community Interest Company (CIC) is an exciting and innovative collaboration between the University of Suffolk and the Suffolk and North-East Essex Integrated Care Board, seeking to provide high-quality NHS dental services to the population of Suffolk through the brand new, state of the art clinical facilities situated on the scenic Ipswich Waterfront. Embracing the latest technology and innovation, the facility will offer fully equipped surgeries, intraoral cameras, digital radiography, and access to CBCT diagnostics. As a new provider of NHS dental care in the region the CIC is wellplaced to offer ordinary dental care delivered with extraordinary care. Our ethos is all about enabling dental care, improving oral health by increasing access to dental services and at the same time providing opportunities for those starting or continuing a dental career in the East of England. In line with current good practice and optimum care, an opportunity to deliver person-centred care with a focus on prevention, stabilisation, and disease management.

Job responsibilities

“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be”

We want you to be amazing!

Would you like to make a difference and fulfil your greatest potential? We have exciting opportunities to advance your career and expand your skills in a supportive and progressive environment.

Come and join our amazing team in our brand new state-of-the-art dental facility and truly make a difference to the local people in Suffolk and North East Essex.

We are a new and innovative Dental Social Enterprise and unique partnership with the University of Suffolk and Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board that truly wants to make a difference to people through the delivery of accessible NHS dental care. We are a purpose-led and values driven organisation. Our mission is clear, we are here to deliver ‘ordinary dental care delivered with extraordinary care.’

The University of Suffolk Dental CIC represents a step-change in dental care in Suffolk and North East Essex and we are looking for passionate, talented people to join us.

Work for a social enterprise with a people-first culture. We care about the wellbeing of our people and know you have lives beyond the workplace, we offer a flexible suite of benefits, these include:

- Generous Annual Leave entitlement

- Continuous Professional Development & Training Opportunities

- Family Friendly Policies

- Flu vaccinations for staff

- Uniform

- State-of-the art dental facilities

- DBS check fully funded

We celebrate and promote equity, diversity & inclusion and encourage the unique contributions of all our dental team that drive our success.

About the role

To be part of a wider dental team providing reception, administrative & clerical support to the dental service using computerised systems. This will include assisting with the decontamination of instruments, as required.

About You

Significant experience working in a dental setting (dental nurse or receptionist)

Personable, highly motivated, flexible, reliable, and organised

Ability to keep calm and professional in a fast-paced environment

Strong teamwork ability with an enthusiastic attitude

Must be fully immunised

Must maintain professional indemnity and registration with the GDC

Join us in building a Dental Social Enterprise that is transforming dental care, so it’s fit for a changing and modern world. Be a part of a team that positively impacts the lives of local people and communities through collaboration and innovation – APPLY TODAY!!

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Educated to NVQ level 3 / A Level standard or equivalent professional qualifications.
• Customer Service Training Programme or equivalent
• Knowledge of sterilisation procedures

Knowledge and Experience

• Reception and or Customer Service experience
• Knowledge of health, safety and security issues
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Reception and or Customer Service experience
• Knowledge of health, safety and security issues
• Ability to prioritise workload

Skills/other

• Good communication skills both oral and written
• Clear and accurate written skills, including ability to complete forms accurately
• Ability to empathise, reassure
• Knowledge and competent use of Microsoft office programmes
• To provide judgements involving facts or situations, some of which require analysis
• Take responsibility for making appropriate safeguarding referrals via the Safeguarding Lead and provide guidance for others to do so
• Demonstrate understanding and commitment to equal opportunities, equity, and the promotion of cultural competency
• Ability and willingness to travel
• Command of other languages
• Team Player
• A will try attitude
• Good timekeeper
• Friendly, approachable and calm manner
• Ability to work flexible hours

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.