Emergency Department Receptionist

Bedfordshire Hospitals; Luton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development

Supportive team

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Emergency Department Receptionist at Luton and Dunstable Hospital. This part-time role (37 hours per week) focuses on front-line patient contact, data entry, and coordinating with clinical teams to support smooth ED operations.

You'll register arrivals, issue ED cards, handle enquiries, and assist with GP letters and follow-up bookings using System One.

Qualifications

• Good basic education and GCSEs required.
• Clerical and reception experience desirable.
• Knowledge of NHS computer systems beneficial.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment and to remain calm under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Register patients on arrival and generate ED cards.
• Collect and prepare documentation for scanning after treatment.
• Answer enquiries in person and by phone; liaise with medical staff.
• Support GP letter handlings, fracture clinic referrals and follow-up bookings.
• Provide cover for reception shifts during staff absences.
• Demonstrate empathy and professionalism in dealing with distressed patients.

Skills

Flexible and adaptable

Methodical

Education

Good Basic Education

3 GCSEs or equivalent

Tools

System One

ED computer systems

Job description

Main area Emergency Department Grade NHS AfC: Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 37 hours per week (Hours of work across and including evenings/nights/weekends) Job ref 418-ED96849-EH

Site Emergency Department Luton And Dunstable Hospital Town Luton Salary £25,272 pa pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 29/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

Are you someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys making a difference through excellent customer service? We’re looking for enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to join our Emergency Department as Receptionists, supporting our busy clerical team.

This is a front-line role where you’ll interact with patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals, often during challenging and emotional moments. We’re looking for people who are confident, compassionate, and committed to delivering high standards of service, even under pressure.

You’ll need to bring the experience and skills outlined in our person specification and job description, along with a positive attitude and a team-focused approach.

If you believe you’re the right person to join our friendly and supportive team, we’d love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

We’re looking for a confident and compassionate individual to join our Emergency Department team, providing essential front-line support in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. As the first point of contact for patients, relatives, colleagues, and emergency services, you’ll play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of both reception and clinical areas.

You’ll gather patient information, register arrivals using ED systems, and generate ED cards. After treatment, you’ll collect and prepare documentation for scanning. You’ll also respond to enquiries in person and by phone, assist with emergency ambulance arrivals, and liaise with medical staff throughout the department.

Additional duties include sending GP letters electronically, managing fracture clinic referrals and emails, booking follow-up appointments via the iPM system, and providing cover for reception shifts during staff absences. The role requires confidence in dealing with the public, strong computer skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. You’ll often support patients who may be distressed, so empathy and professionalism are essential in this role.

This is a team-oriented role, ideal for someone who brings enthusiasm, initiative, and a collaborative spirit. If you thrive in a busy environment and are passionate about supporting patient care, we’d love to hear from you.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Emergency Department is the busiest area of the hospital, and we take great pride in our exceptional teamwork and commitment to delivering outstanding service across the department. As a Receptionist, you’ll be at the heart of this fast-paced environment, playing a key role in supporting both patients and staff.

You’ll be responsible for registering patients on arrival using the ED computer system and System One, generating ED cards and ensuring accurate booking onto the relevant systems. Once treatment has been completed, you’ll collect and prepare ED cards for scanning, maintaining the flow of essential documentation.

This role also involves close liaison with medical and professional staff, as well as direct communication with patients and their relatives—both on arrival and following admission. Your ability to remain calm, professional, and compassionate will be crucial in helping us provide the highest standard of care and support.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Good Basic Education
• Knowledge, Experience of Computer systems
• At least 3 GCSEs – Grade C or above, or similar qualification or experience
• In-depth knowledge of how the systems work

Experience

• Clerical Experience
• Reception Experience
• Dealing with the public
• Able to prioritise own workload
• NHS Experience

Knowledge

• Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times.
• Have knowledge of NHS computer systems.
• Knowledge of NHS/Hospital and the functionalities.

Skills

• Flexible and adaptable
• Be methodical in way of working

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.