Medical Secretary | Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Lancashire Care Foundation Trust; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare service provider in Preston is seeking a Medical Secretary for maternity leave cover. This is a fixed-term role focused on the Eating Disorder Service, requiring strong technical and interpersonal skills. Key responsibilities include managing appointments, handling sensitive communications, and ensuring accurate documentation. The ideal candidate should be proficient in word processing and audio typing, and be prepared to work flexibly across multiple sites. A commitment to patient confidentiality and understanding of mental health sensitivities are essential.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Support for diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Experience in managing diaries and scheduling appointments.
• Ability to handle emotional and distressing situations professionally.
• Proficient in typing clinical reports and transcriptions.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage the consultant's diary and appointments.
• Liaise with clients, carers, and other healthcare professionals.
• Manage communication regarding patient bookings and scheduling.

Skills

Word processing

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Audio tape transcription

Medical terminology

IT skills

Job description

Applications are invited for a Medical Secretary to provide maternity leave cover on a fixed term contract of 12 months to the Eating Disorder Service, this role will include providing remote cover for the Doctors.

The Secretary will be expected to utilise a range of technical skills, which may include word processing, use of email and other IT skills, audio tape transcription, and medical /pharmacological terminology. They will also be expected to employ highly effective interpersonal and communication skills and will be required to work frequently without direct supervision.

The confidential nature of all work concerning patients must be understood and safeguarded and the particular sensitivities to mental health issues respected.

The post holder will be required to work flexibly in response to the needs of the Network and cover for absent colleagues when and where necessary for short periods of time such as annual leave and short-term sickness across various sites and travel will be necessary.

Responsibilities

• To coordinate and manage the Consultant’s diary, liaising with individuals within and outside of the Trust as necessary to arrange appointments, supervision and meetings; both clinical and non-clinical. Preparation of agendas and any other meeting documentation in advance and ensure that the consultants/team leaders have all relevant papers prior to the meetings taking place. Attendance and minute taking at meetings, if necessary, e.g. Consultant meetings, MDT’s, Inpatient meetings, etc.
• Confidential and courteous telephone liaison with clients, carers, relatives, other hospitals, GP’s, health purchasers, referring agencies and multi-disciplinary teams as necessary. Handling and resolving queries wherever and whenever possible
• Answering distressing telephone calls and occasional face-to-face contact with emotional clients/carers.
• Typing letters, audio typing, clinical reports and transcriptions and updating databases and spreadsheets.
• Book physical health clinics. Liaise with patients, send text reminders/letters/emails.
• Organise and distribute doctors monthly leave calendar to EDS community teams.
• Update and distribute doctors weekly job plan to EDS community teams.
• Managing patient communication, including the booking and rescheduling of appointments.
• Creating accurate documents, such as letters, reports and case notes from digital recordings or notes.

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you’d like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.

Please see the attached job description and person specification which outlines all essential information related to roles and responsibilities.

This advert closes on Wednesday 17 Dec 2025