Practice Receptionist

Park Road Surgery; Teddington; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A busy GP practice in Teddington is seeking a practice receptionist to join their friendly and supportive team. The role involves welcoming patients, assisting with administrative duties, managing clinical correspondence, and ensuring high-quality patient care. Applicants should have strong communication skills, be computer literate with GP systems, and possess a good attention to detail. A commitment to confidentiality and ability to work in a team are essential. Training will be provided on the systems used.

Benefits

Training on clinical systems

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
• Computer literacy and understanding of GP clinical systems are required.
• Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy in tasks.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and assist patients, directing them to appropriate services.
• Manage entry of clinical correspondence into patient records.
• Administer repeat prescription requests and triage queries.
• Perform reception duties and maintain a friendly image.
• Collect and summarise patient information accurately.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Computer literate

Interpersonal skills

Proactive attitude

Education

GCSEs including English and Maths

NVQ Level 2/3 in Customer Services or Health Care

Tools

GP clinical systems

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a practice receptionist to join our reception team, helping us to provide high quality patient care. We are a busy GP practice, based in Teddington, SW London, and have a full team of GPs, nurses, pharmacists and administrative staff – working as part of a friendly and supportive team.

Main Duties of the Job

• Welcome, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient and effective way.
• Provide general administration to the practice team and project a positive and friendly image to patients and other visitors, either in person, online or via the telephone.
• Managing the entry of clinical correspondence and codes into patients records, including scanning letters and relevant information from hospital correspondence into the practice computer system (Medicus).
• Help with the administration of repeat prescription requests and online triage requests.

About Us

We are a busy surgery, with about 13,000 patients.

Our team comprises 11 GPs, 2 nurses, an HCA, a phlebotomist, 2 pharmacists and a full team of receptionists/administrators. We are a training practice and also have 2 trainee doctors with us.

Our team works closely together within a supportive environment.

We use the Medicus clinical system. This is a new system and we are proud to have helped to develop it. Training will be given to new members of staff on the clinical system.

Job Responsibilities

• Welcome, assist and direct patients to the appropriate service or healthcare professional.
• Provide general administration and maintain a positive, friendly image to patients and visitors, in person, online or via telephone.
• Manage entry of clinical correspondence and codes into patient records, including scanning letters and relevant information from hospital correspondence into Medicus.
• Administer repeat prescription requests and online triage requests.
• Perform reception duties: receive patients, hand completed repeat prescriptions, respond to queries, cover reception positions.
• Process appointment requests, record booking information, manage waiting room, handle visit requests, assist emergency treatment when required.
• Conduct clinical coding/summarising: code patient information, audit data collection, summarize notes, conduct searches, audits, recalls, troubleshoot database.
• Handle administrative tasks: maintain records, shred and photocopy, respond to triage requests and emails per policy.
• Register new patient data, enable NHS App, manage address changes, process prescription requests, perform data entry, respond to emails.
• Summarise patient notes, update records, apply codes, ensure correct filing.
• Other tasks: clear rooms post‑surgery, keep reception clean, manage telephone system, ensure security knowledge, assist clinicians, complete any other assigned tasks.
• Adhere to confidentiality, health & safety, equality & diversity, professional development, quality, communication, and service implementation guidelines.

Confidentiality

• Respect patients’ privacy and act appropriately with sensitive health information.
• Maintain confidentiality of all patient, staff, and practice information as per policy.
• Disclose information only to authorised persons following practice procedures.

Health & Safety

• Use personal security systems as per practice guidelines.
• Identify work risks and mitigate them.
• Use infection control procedures, maintain tidy and safe work areas, and follow IPC guidelines and PPE use.
• Report potential risks and support health & safety policy.

Equality and Diversity

• Act in a way that recognizes and respects the rights and dignity of patients, carers and colleagues.
• Behave in a welcoming, non‑judgmental manner respecting individual circumstances.

Personal/Professional Development

• Participate in annual performance reviews and maintain personal development records.
• Take responsibility for own learning and performance improvements.

Quality

• Alert team to quality and risk issues.
• Assess own performance and take accountability.
• Suggest improvements to enhance team performance.
• Manage time, workload and resources effectively.

Communication

• Communicate effectively with team members, patients and carers.
• Provide alternative methods of communication where needed.

Contribution to the Implementation of Services

• Apply practice policies, standards and guidance.
• Discuss how policies affect own work with team members.
• Participate in audits and team meetings where appropriate.

Experience

• Computer literate with an ability to use required GP clinical systems.
• Attention to detail, work accurately and identify errors quickly.
• Excellent understanding of data protection and confidentiality issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adjust communication style.
• Committed to personal development and ability to support others.
• Works effectively independently and as a member of a team.
• Flexible approach to meet service needs and stakeholder focus.
• Self‑motivated and proactive.
• Continuously committed to improving skills and abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience in a medical or primary care setting.
• Awareness of Data Protection Act and confidentiality requirements.
• Planned and organized approach to prioritise workload under strict deadlines.

Qualifications

• GCSEs at grade C or equivalent (or 4‑9), including English and Maths.
• Training in administration/clerical duties at NVQ level or above.
• NVQ Level 2/3 in Customer Services or Health Care or related discipline.

Additional Criteria

• Commit to a DBS Check.
• Able to undertake the demands of the post with reasonable adjustments if required.

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.