Perinatal Medical Secretary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a proactive Medical Secretary to support the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service. You will assist Consultants, the Associate Specialist and the MDT, handling confidential information with discretion to ensure high-quality care for women and families.

The role is full time (37.5 hours) with responsibilities spanning a proactive secretarial service, effective communication and collaboration across professionals within the service.

Qualifications

• Good general education including GCSEs.
• RSA Standard 2 Typewriting.
• RSA Standard 2 Word processing or equivalent.
• Excellent written, verbal and telephone communication skills.
• Medical Secretarial Certificate.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive, professional secretarial support to the Perinatal Mental Health Service.
• Support Consultants, Associate Specialist and the wider MDT.
• Handle confidential information with discretion and accuracy.
• Contribute to efficient day-to-day functioning of the team.

Skills

Good communication skills

Medical secretarial experience

Education

GCSEs

RSA Standard 2 Typewriting

RSA Standard 2 Word processing

Medical Secretarial Certificate

Job description

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Perinatal Medical Secretary

The closing date is 29 October 2026

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly organised Medical Secretary to provide comprehensive administrative and secretarial support to the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service. This pivotal role will support Consultant Psychiatrists, the Associate Specialist, and the wider multidisciplinary team, ensuring they are able to deliver safe, effective, and high-quality care to women and families accessing the service.

The successful candidate will possess excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently, prioritise competing demands, and build effective working relationships across a range of professional groups. A high level of attention to detail and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information are essential.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced administrator or medical secretary who is passionate about delivering high-quality support within a specialist mental health service.

This is a full time role 37.5 hours.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide a proactive and professional secretarial service, managing complex and sensitive information with discretion and accuracy. Acting as a key point of contact for service users, carers, colleagues, and partner agencies, you will deliver a courteous and responsive service while supporting the efficient day-to-day functioning of the team.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [e-mail]

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

• Good standard of general education e.g. GCSE's
• RSA Standard 2 Typewriting
• RSA Standard 2 Word processing or equivalent
• Good communication skills (written, verbal and telephone manner)
• Medical Secretarial Certificate

Job Specific Experience

• Office experience or work in a similar environment
• Proficient use of the Patient Administration System
• Previous NHS experience

Personal Qualities/ Attributes

• Ability to deal with members of the public in a professional and considerate manner
• Ability to use own initiative
• Be able to work within a team
• Work to tight deadlines
• Work in a changing environment
• Demonstrate the reasons for confidentiality

Additional Requirements

• Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

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.

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust