Lead Receptionist

Bupa Dental Care; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Healthcare benefits

Job summary

Bupa Dental Care Darlington is seeking a Lead Receptionist to join a welcoming team delivering high-quality patient care. The role involves leading the front desk, managing bookings, and supporting clinicians throughout the patient journey.

The position offers Monday to Friday hours, with a starting pay of £13.50 per hour, in a patient-centric environment that values professional growth and excellent service.

Qualifications

• Leads a team of reception staff and coordinates rotas.
• Experience in customer-facing roles with strong communication.
• Comfort using IT systems to manage bookings and records.

Responsibilities

• Oversee reception and staff rotas.
• Greet patients warmly and answer queries by phone and in person.
• Manage diary and appointments, cancellations, and rescheduling.

Skills

Team leadership

Customer service

Communication

Job description

Lead Dental Receptionist – Bupa Dental Care- Darlington

The working pattern for this position is -Monday to Friday 7:45-17:30

Salary: £13.50

At Bupa Dental Care Darlington, you'll be joining a welcoming and experienced team dedicated to delivering high-quality patient care in a friendly, patient-focused environment. The practice cares for a diverse patient base and offers a supportive atmosphere where Dental Nurses are valued and encouraged to develop their skills. With modern facilities, a collaborative team culture, and a commitment to professional growth, it's a great place to build a rewarding career while making a real difference to patients' experiences

Be the friendly face that makes every patient feel at ease from the moment they arrive.

At Bupa Dental Care, our receptionists are the first point of contact for our patients - welcoming them warmly, supporting them throughout their visit, and making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. This is a varied role where you’ll be at the heart of the practice, helping us deliver the excellent customer care we’re known for.

What you’ll be doing

As a Lead Receptionist, you’ll play a key role in making every patient experience a positive one:

• Oversee reception and staff rotas
• Customer care at the heart – warmly greeting patients in person and over the phone, answering queries, and ensuring a relaxed, welcoming environment.
• Diary & appointment management – handling bookings, cancellations, and rescheduling to keep the practice running efficiently.
• Supporting patients with confidence – explaining processes and treatment options, supporting payment transactions, and helping patients understand their options (private vs NHS services).
• Administration you can rely on – keeping patient records accurate and up to date, managing confidential information, and maintaining a professional reception area.
• Problem-solving with empathy – handling concerns and complaints professionally, always aiming for a positive outcome.
• Being part of the team – supporting clinicians with smooth handovers and the patient journey from reception to treatment. Assisting with admin and helping the Practice Manager keep everything running smoothly.

What we’re looking for

You’ll thrive in this role if you’re people-focused, empathetic and enjoy creating positive experiences. You'll bring:

• Confident leading a team
• Previous experience in a customer-focused role.
• Strong communication skills, both face-to-face and over the phone.
• Confidence using IT systems to manage bookings and records.
• A proactive, flexible approach - ready to help where needed to support the team.
• Professionalism, empathy, and a genuine passion for delivering excellent service.
• Confident in promoting and upselling Bupa Dental Care products and services including plan options, finance and insurance claims.

Benefits of working with us

At Bupa Dental Care, we don’t just care for patients - we care for our people too. When you join us, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive pay - with opportunities to increase through training and development.
• Healthcare & wellbeing support – including quick access to remote GP, physiotherapy, and mental health services through MyHealthcare, plus an annual allowance of around £350 to spend on Bupa products. You’ll also have access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), Family Mental HealthLine, Bupa’s Personal Energy wellbeing programme, and discounted dental insurance for you and your family.
• Financial & lifestyle benefits – from retail discounts and tools to support your financial wellbeing, to reduced rates at gyms and digital fitness providers across the UK. You’ll also have the flexibility of Wagestream, giving you access to your pay before payday.
• Career pathways and progression – ongoing training and support to grow with Bupa Dental Care.
• Additional health perks – Cycle to Work Scheme, free annual flu vaccine, discounted eye tests, and Bupa’s Menopause Plan.
• … and much more, just ask!

Why join us?

At Bupa Dental Care, you’ll be part of a supportive, welcoming team where you can make a real difference to patients every single day. We’ll give you the tools and training you need to succeed, along with opportunities to grow your career in a business that puts people first.

If you’re organised, approachable, and love helping people, this could be the perfect role for you.

To find out more about working with us, find us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram

We encourage all of our people to “Be you at Bupa”, we champion diversity, and we understand the importance of our people representing the communities and customers we serve. That's why we especially encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Bupa takes pride in being a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and will aim to offer an interview/assessment to disabled applicants who best meet the minimum criteria for the role. We are committed to ensuring you are treated fairly during the recruitment process and offer reasonable adjustments to anyone who may benefit from accommodations to the recruitment process.

Bupa Dental Care is an equal opportunities employer