Oncology Medical Secretary

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; Torquay; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A regional health service provider in Torquay is seeking a dedicated Oncology Medical Secretary for a part-time position of 22.5 hours per week. The role involves supporting cancer patients, liaising with medical staff, and managing investigations with compassion and efficiency. Candidates should have a good educational background, relevant audio typing experience, and a customer-focused approach. Join a dynamic team committed to patient care.

Qualifications

• Good standard of general education.
• Experience in a similar secretarial role.
• Proven experience providing a customer-focused service.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with clinical and administrative staff.
• Ensure all results of investigations are tracked promptly.
• Independently deal with patient/carer enquiries efficiently.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Organisational skills

Customer service

Typing speed (40 wpm)

Education

GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent

Medical terminology qualification

Audio typing experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Hospital systems (PAS, Infoflex, etc.)

Job description

Go back Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Oncology Medical Secretary

The closing date is 14 November 2025

Are you passionate about making a meaningful impact in supporting cancer patients in their journey towards recovery?

Torbay Hospital is seeking a dedicated and dynamic individual to join our team as an Oncology Medical Secretary. This is an opportunity to be an essential part of our Oncology department, where your organisational skills and compassion will directly contribute to the well‑being of our patients.

This post is part‑time 22.5 hours post.

Main duties of the job

• Work closely with clinical and administrative staff and other employees within the Trust and liaise with patients, GP's and other external agencies.
• This position requires empathy and tact when dealing with patients who may be angry or upset regarding any aspect of their care.
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally on a daily basis.
• Ensure all results of investigations are tracked and shown to the relevant consultant promptly for action as instructed.
• Independently deal with patient/carer enquiries in an efficient, sensitive and confidential manner and referring on to the clinician as appropriate.
• All clinic outcomes to be recorded accurately and completed or amended.
• Audio typing of clinic and admin letters.
• Clinical diaries to be maintained and checked against the published timetables. Discretion and initiative used when arranging meetings and appointments for patients, relatives and others. To ensure that medical staff leave and cover arrangements are circulated and clinical activities are amended accordingly.
• Taking and transcribing formal minutes if required.
• Open and act on correspondence received.

About us

This role is based at Torbay Hospital, where you will be joining a team of 11 other dedicated Oncology Secretaries.

We are a dynamic and friendly team, working closely with our clinical colleagues and other areas within Cancer Services. Our team is currently going through exciting changes.

Would you like to grow with us to help us to make a difference?

Our department is fast‑paced and we are continually evolving our care in order to keep our patients' wellbeing and each others at the heart of everything we do.

Job responsibilities

• Ensure all results of tests and investigations are tracked effectively, shown to the relevant consultant promptly and to undertake appropriate action as instructed
• All clinic outcomes must be recorded accurately and complete or amend any that have not been done
• Ensure patients are put at the heart of the service
• Enter Referral to Treatment (RTT) events accurately and in a timely manner

Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications and training

• Good standard of general education to include GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent
• Medical terminology qualification
• Audio typing experience
• Typing to RSA II/OCR II or equivalent level of speed and accuracy (40wpm)

Knowledge and experience

• Experience in a similar secretarial role
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office software
• Proven experience of providing a customer focused service
• Have knowledge of hospital systems, i.e.: PAS, Infoflex, Cyberlab, Ultragenda, SystmOne

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.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust