Outpatient Receptionist

Countess of Chester; Chester; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a highly motivated individual to provide a comprehensive Outpatient Reception Service to The Countess of Chester Hospital, as directed by the Assistant Service Manager.

Candidates must be flexible to help us achieve a safe, kind and effective service. The role includes data entry, clinic coordination and handling patient enquiries to ensure smooth outpatient operations.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 GCSEs or equivalent.
• Computer literate.
• ECDL.
• Basic level CTC (IHRIM).

Responsibilities

• Providing a full outpatient reception service to the patients attending hospital.
• Ensure the accuracy of data on the hospital information system (EPR+) and timely production of statistics and information relating to a patients appointment.
• Responsible for requesting and collecting case notes as necessary for short notice clinic appointments.
• Administer changes relating to clinics ensuring current targets are achieved and monitor clinic capacity using the hospital system.
• Send appointment details and relevant correspondence to patients.
• Deal with enquiries from patients, wards, GP’s and other departments.

Skills

Clerical experience

Customer service

Data entry

Education

GCSEs or equivalent

ECDL

Job description

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.

Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation

Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.

As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.

Job overview

Working Full time: 37.5 hours per week

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to provide a comprehensive Outpatient Reception Service to The Countess of Chester Hospital, as directed by the Assistant Service Manager.

Candidates must be flexible to help us achieve a safe, kind and effective service.

Main duties of the job

• Providing a full outpatient reception service to the patients attending hospital.
• To ensure the accuracy of data on the hospital information system (EPR+) and timely production of statistics and information relating to a patients appointment.
• To be responsible for requesting and collecting case notes as necessary for short notice clinic appointments.
• To administer any changes relating to clinics ensuring current targets are still achieved and monitor clinic capacity using the hospital computer system ensuring all slots are utilised and clinics do not exceed prescribed numbers.
• To send appointment details and relevant correspondence to patients.
• To deal with enquiries from patients, wards, GP’s and other departments.

Working for our organisation

The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.

The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service.Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules

Person specification

Qualifications

• A Minimum of 3 GCSE’s or equivalent
• Computer Literate
• ECDL
• Basic Level CTC (IHRIM)

Knowledge and Experience

• Previous Clerical Experience
• Previous Customer Service Experience
• Previous NHS Clerical Experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 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.

Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.

The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules

For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.

Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.