Lead Receptionist

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol Eye Hospital, part of Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, is seeking a dynamic Reception Team Leader. You will supervise reception staff, coordinate day-to-day operations and support patient flow while ensuring high-quality customer care.

The role requires NHS experience, strong communication, and the ability to manage staff rotas and training. This is a full-time position with NHS Band 3 pay scale in Bristol.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to supervise and motivate staff.
• NHS experience preferred.
• Experience supervising staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day supervision and guidance to reception staff, making day to day decisions to ensure an efficient and effective reception service.
• Liaise with clinical and administrative teams to support patient flow and clinic operations.
• Assist in training and supporting new members of the reception team.
• Escalate complex issues, complaints or service concerns appropriately.
• Support the organisation of staff rotas, annual leave and training arrangements.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organisational skills

Supervise staff

Education

GCSE English and Maths

Job description

Main area Surgery Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent: Requirement to work all BEH Reception Desks and Hub Desk (Galleries Shopping Centre) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 387-S8188-CCC-A

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Bristol Eye Hospital Town BRISTOL Salary £25,760 - £27,476 Per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 12/11/2026 23:59

Band 3

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

We are looking for a dynamic leader for our Reception Team who can work flexibly over many Reception areas.

The Reception Team Leader will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision and coordination of reception services within the Bristol Eye Hospital. The post holder will supports delivery of a high-quality patient reception and appointment service and will lead reception staff to ensure efficient patient flow and excellent customer care.

Main duties of the job

• Provide day-to-day support and guidance to reception staff, making day to day decision to ensure an efficient and effective reception service.
• Liaise with clinical and administrative teams to support patient flow and clinic operations.
• Assist in training and supporting new members of the reception team.
• Escalate complex issues, complaints or service concerns appropriately.
• Support the organisation of staff rotas, annual leave and training arrangements.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Education and qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths or equivalent

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Ability to supervise and motivate staff

Experience

• NHS experience
• Experience supervising staff

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.