Receptionist

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Poole; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Part time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a part-time Receptionist to support the Poole Community Health Clinic and related services. The role involves acting as the first point of contact for patients, relatives and clinical staff, while upholding confidentiality to ensure smooth department operation.

The successful candidate will join a small administration team, managing diverse duties, IT systems, and shifting priorities with excellent customer service.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent experience
• To show understanding of patient confidentiality
• Well developed skills in communicating effectively with clients and other professionals within and outside the NHS
• Knowledge of NHS organisation and protocols
• Administrative and good keyboard skills
• Experience of working with the NHS
• Experience of working within an office environment
• Good team working and communication
• Ability to interact with patients and visitors in a professional manner
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain a positive outlook
• Ability to think creatively and problem solve
• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively
• To be adaptive and flexible when undertaking new challenges

Responsibilities

• Provide information to patients, staff, carers & relatives relating to appointments, patient care, and meetings, verbally by telephone, face to face or written in a tactful and courteous manner often requiring non-clinical advice involving careful analysis of delicate situations regarding patient care, requiring knowledge of patient confidentiality.
• Liaise with members of the public in their dealings with the teams/services, some of whom may prove distressed, challenging, or aggressive in manner.
• Liaise with other members of the teams to organise and deliver a safe and efficient office system to support sound patient care, consistent with good clinical governance guidelines, whilst helping the teams to achieve targets and complete timely returns of information.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Patient confidentiality

Adaptability

Education

GCSE level or equivalent

Job description

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Receptionist

The closing date is 23 November 2026

We are looking to appoint a reliable and motivated receptionist to join our dedicated administration team to support the services operating from Poole Community Health Clinic - Poole CAMHS, Community Acquired Brain Injury Service, Dorset Pain Management Service and PSALT.

The successful applicant will work as part of a small team, supporting clinical staff and will act as the first point of contact between patients, relatives and clinical staff, whilst maintaining confidentiality to ensure the department always runs efficiently.

This is a part time post of 22.5 hours per week.

Applicants must have excellent organisational and communication skills, be able to work under pressure yet remain calm, polite and professional at all times. You will have the ability to deal with varied administrative duties, IT systems and changing priorities. Excellent customer service skills are essential. You will be pleasant and approachable and able to manage your workload effectively.

Main duties of the job

You will provide information to patients, staff, carers & relatives relating to appointments, patient care, and meetings, verbally by telephone, face to face or written in a tactful and courteous manner often requiring non-clinical advice involving careful analysis of delicate situations regarding patient care, requiring knowledge of patient confidentiality.

You will liaise with members of the public in their dealings with the teams/services, some of whom may prove at times to be distressed, challenging, or aggressive in manner.

You will liaise with other members of the teams to organise and deliver a safe and efficient office system to support sound patient care, consistent with good clinical governance guidelines, whilst helping the teams to achieve targets and complete timely returns of information.

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 [e-mail]

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent experience
• To show understanding of patient confidentiality
• Well developed skills in communicating effectively with clients and other professionals within and outside the NHS
• Knowledge of NHS organisation and protocols

JOB SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

• Administrative and good keyboard skills
• Experience of working with the NHS
• Experience of working within an office environment

PERSONAL QUALITIES/ATTRIBUTES

• Good team working and communication
• Ability to interact with patients and visitors in a professional manner
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain a positive outlook
• Ability to think creatively and problem solve

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively
• To be adaptive and flexible when undertaking new challenges

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