Hospice Receptionist

NHS; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Sunderland is seeking an experienced Hospice Receptionist to provide comprehensive reception and administration services to patients and staff. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office, and experience in a healthcare setting. This part-time position (24 hours per week) offers pro-rata salary of £24,465 and requires the ability to work independently under pressure.

Benefits

Access to a Fitness Centre

Career progression and training

Flexible working policy

Qualifications

• Experience as a receptionist or working in a healthcare setting.
• Understanding of palliative care and medical terminology.

Responsibilities

• Meet and greet patients and visitors.
• Provide a switchboard service for incoming calls.
• Respond to patient enquiries and book appointments.
• Notify patients when clinics are running late.
• Liaise with health professionals about patient transfers.

Skills

Knowledge of Microsoft Office Packages

Knowledge of EMIS system

Good written and verbal communication skills

Excellent telephone manner

Education

Good standard of general education including GCSE in English

Level 2 in Word processing or Business Administration

Job description

Go back South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Hospice Receptionist

The closing date is 25 November 2025

We are seeking to recruit an experienced receptionist to provide a comprehensive reception and administration service to patients, visitors and staff at St Benedicts Hospice and Centre for Specialist Care.

Applicants should be educated to a good standard of general education including GCSE English and Maths. Applicants should have Level 2 in Word processing or Business Administration or recent experience in a receptionist/administration role in a healthcare setting.

Applicants should have knowledge of Microsoft Office packages and EMIS system and/or Hospital Information System (Meditech). An understanding of palliative care and medical terminology is desirable.

It is essential you have good written and verbal communication skills, expert organisational and time management skills and have the ability to work unsupervised and under pressure to meet deadlines. You will be expected to adhere to confidentiality and data protection guidelines.

1 x post (equates to 24 hours per week)

Three week shift pattern is 5 weekday early shifts (8am-2pm), 7 days off, one weekend (10-4) and 5 weekday late shifts (2pm-8pm). Expected to cover additional hours for holiday / sickness.

Please note the Trust are not able to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the UKVI threshold requirements. Applicants are requested to consider this when making their application. Please visit Gov.UK for further information.

Main duties of the job

• To meet and greet patients and visitors.
• Provide a switchboard service to all incoming telephone calls.
• Respond to patient enquiries and provide general non-clinical advice to patients and visitors.
• Book a range of appointments for patients.
• Contact patients prior to appointment to confirm attendance.
• Greet patients and book them onto computer system on arrival.
• Notify patients when clinics are running late.
• Answer telephones and deal with all enquiries as they arrive.
• Arrange appointments and when necessary cancel appointments.
• Make ambulance appointment bookings / patient transport.
• Opening & sorting post.
• To liaise with funeral directors and process documentation as necessary.
• Communicating with health professionals, relatives and carers regarding transfer/discharge of patients to other wards, hospital or home.
• Photocopying and making up information packs.
• To provide reception cover and cover duties of other admin staff as required.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

To provide a comprehensive and effective reception and administration service to patients, visitors and staff at St Benedicts Hospice and Centre for Specialist Palliative Care. The principle of high-quality customer care is at the heart of this role.

Person Specification

Skills / Attributes / Knowledge

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Packages.
• Knowledge of EMIS system and/or Hospital Information System (Meditech).
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent telephone manner.
• Willing to undertake necessary additional training.

Experience

• Previous experience working as a receptionist or working in a healthcare setting.
• Understanding of palliative care / medical terminology.

Physical Requirements

• To work under pressure to tight deadlines.
• To work independently or as part of a team.
• To use initiative to problem solve.

Qualifications

• Good standard of general education including GCSE in English.
• Level 2 in Word processing or Business Administration or recent experience in a receptionist/ administration role in a healthcare setting.

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.

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

£24,465 a year pro-rata (24 hours per week)