Outpatients Receptionist

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A public healthcare provider in Bedford is seeking an Outpatients Receptionist. The role involves welcoming patients, booking appointments, and managing patient information. Ideal candidates possess excellent communication and organizational skills along with experience in customer care. This full-time position requires a flexible approach to better support patient services and entails a probationary period.

Benefits

Access to high-quality training and development

Inclusive recruitment practices

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Experience in customer care.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of confidentiality issues and data protection.

Responsibilities

• Welcome patients and visitors, providing advice and guidance.
• Book outpatient appointments and prepare medical notes.
• Work efficiently as part of a team.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Customer care experience

Database management

Communication skills

Education

Good standard of oral and written English GCSE or equivalent

Tools

Hospital Patient Information Management System (PiMS)

Job description

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Outpatients Receptionist

The closing date is 13 October 2025

Applicants are invited to join the Outpatient Reception Team at Bedford Hospital. The post holder will embody the THRIVE values and will have experience in a similar role. Knowledge of patient record systems/databases with proven experience, plus previous admin/clerical experience. Applicants should ideally have experience of healthcare services.

Well-developed interpersonal skills - able to converse in a positive manner at all levels. Be dependable with a flexible attitude to work and able to work on your own initiative. You must possess strong organisational skills, be able to deliver objectives within an agreed timeframe, excellent people and communication skills to maintain effective communication links, and have a flexible approach to the evolving needs of the service. It is essential that you possess excellent keyboard skills and experience of administering databases.

We currently have 1 full-time post at 37.5 hours per week and 2 part-time posts: 1 x 25.5 hours per week and 1 x 32 hours per week.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will have day-to-day responsibility for the administration of the relevant Patient Information system and the Reception area. They will work as part of a team providing front line administration services to the department, welcome patients and visitors to the department, book outpatient appointments, ensure medical notes and appropriate documentation are prepared and available for all clinics, answer the telephone to both internal and external callers and arrange patient transport as required. You will need to be physically fit and able to lift.

This is a busy area with a high throughput of work and staff are required to work efficiently as part of a team whilst maintaining courtesy, tact and diplomacy at all times. All team members are expected to work in all areas of the Trust.

Ensure that the Reception area is well maintained and welcoming at all times.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values-based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.

Main responsibilities: The post holder will welcome patients, relatives and visitors to the department and provide advice or guidance, information or assistance as appropriate. They will work as part of a team providing front line administration services to the department, welcome patients and visitors to the department, the booking of outpatient appointments, ensuring medical notes and appropriate documentation is prepared and available for all clinics, answering the telephone to both internal and external callers and arrange patient transport as required. Well-developed interpersonal skills, remaining composed at all times. Show empathy when dealing with emotionally distressed patients or those receiving bad news. Be able to concentrate whilst working in a busy, potentially noisy environment. Prepare all relevant documentation for clinics, making sure patient labels, new referrals and results are all available in the patients notes. Liaise with consultants and secretaries regarding queries with clinics and copies of referral letters. Ensure PIMS is fully maintained, all patient information up to date and clinics are appropriately cashed up and patients added to waiting lists where appropriate. Ensure that the Reception area is well maintained at all times, this may involve liaison with Domestic and Estates departments.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Good standard of oral and written English GCSE or equivalent

Experience

• Experience in Customer Care
• Experience of using databases

Knowledge

• Knowledge of filing/record keeping
• Excellent communication skills - written and verbal
• Evidence of working in a multidisciplinary team
• Demonstrates a knowledge of confidentiality issues and able to work within requirements of Data Protection
• Use of Hospital PiMS

Personal Skills

• To work in other areas of the department and trust when required
• Self-awareness of assets and limitations
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Willingness to undertake training as required
• Demonstrates the ability to adapt and change within a working situation

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.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust