Medical Secretary

The Methodist Church in Britain; Newsham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday day off

Wellbeing initiatives

Lunchtime walks

Job summary

Wateringbury Surgery is seeking a medical secretary for a fixed-term contract of up to 12 months to cover maternity leave. The role focuses on ERS referrals, typing letters and reports, and liaising with hospitals and community teams.

The post sits in a three-partner practice with salaried GPs, a nursing team and a dispensary. Candidates need public-facing and administrative experience and a typing qualification.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills and understanding of patient needs.
• Use of own initiative, discretion and sensitivity.
• Ability to work with diverse backgrounds and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Process referrals accurately and promptly through ERS.
• Type letters, reports and clinical correspondence.
• Liaise with hospitals, community services and external agencies.
• Manage incoming/outgoing medical correspondence.
• Handle incoming emails and enquiries.
• Answer and transfer/resolve telephone calls.
• Input data into patient records maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.
• Process requests for information (e.g., subject access, DVLA forms).
• Support GPs and clinical staff with admin tasks.
• Record minutes of meetings.
• Meet response times: 2WW and urgent referrals within 24h, routine within 5 days, calls/emails within 2 days.
• Maintain a clean, tidy working area.

Skills

Excellent communication

Public-facing experience

Discretion & sensitivity

Teamwork & autonomy

Organisational skills

Punctual & reliable

Education

GCSE Maths & English (C+)

Typing qualification (OCR/RSA diploma)

Job description

Wateringbury Surgery, a dispensing GP practice, is recruiting a medical secretary on a fixed-term contract of up to 12 months to cover maternity leave, starting December 2026. The post centres on referrals through the electronic referral service, typing clinical letters and reports, and liaising with hospitals and community teams. It sits within a three-partner practice that also has salaried GPs, a nursing team and a dispensary. Candidates need public-facing and administrative experience and a typing qualification.

What the job involves

• Process referrals accurately and promptly through the electronic referral service (ERS)
• Type letters, reports and clinical correspondence
• Liaise with hospitals, community services and other external agencies
• Manage incoming and outgoing medical correspondence
• Action incoming email and manage enquiries
• Handle incoming telephone calls, transferring or resolving them appropriately
• Input data into patient healthcare records, maintaining accuracy and confidentiality
• Process requests for information such as subject access requests, insurance and solicitors letters and DVLA forms
• Support GPs and clinical staff with general administrative tasks
• Record the minutes of meetings
• Meet response times: 2WW and urgent referrals within 24 hours, routine referrals within 5 working days, patient calls and emails within 2 working days
• Keep the working area clean, tidy and effective

What's required

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above, or Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English
• Typing qualification, such as OCR or RSA Diploma

Experience

• Experience of working with the general public
• Experience of administrative duties

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent communication skills and understanding of patient needs
• Use of own initiative, discretion and sensitivity
• Ability to get along with people from all backgrounds, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good organisational skills and punctuality
• Clear, polite telephone manner

Other

• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Committed to supporting the team effort
• Flexible and cooperative
• Motivated

Nice to have

• Experience of working in a healthcare setting as a medical secretary
• Understanding of clinical coding
• Clinical IT system user skills
• Personal accountability, emotional resilience and ability to work well under pressure
• Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures

What's offered

• A day off each year to celebrate your birthday
• Lunchtime stretching and movement sessions
• Organised lunchtime walks
• Regular staff wellbeing initiatives
• Supportive, friendly team environment
• Positive culture promoting work-life balance