Receptionist

The Methodist Church in Britain; South Shields; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension

Free parking

Job summary

Witterings Medical Centre is seeking a receptionist to join the front-of-house team. You will be the first point of contact for patients, directing them to the right clinician and handling bookings, registrations, prescriptions and payments.

The role is four days a week from 8:00 to 18:30, with prior customer service experience essential. An NHS pension and free parking are offered.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at grade A–C or equivalent.
• Experience delivering customer service in a reception/public-facing setting.
• Ability to work in a busy environment with accuracy and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Receive, assist and direct patients to appropriate service or clinician.
• Handle bookings, registrations, prescriptions and payments.
• Register new patients onto the clinical system.
• Record urgent and home visit requests for timely action.
• Pass safeguarding reports to the appropriate clinician.
• Open and close the premises and keep them secure.

Skills

Telephone manner

Interpersonal communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Computer skills

Education

GCSE English and Maths A–C

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

SystmOne

Job description

The receptionist post at Witterings Medical Centre sits in the front-of-house team of a GP practice. The role is the first point of contact for patients, directing them to the right clinician and handling bookings, registrations, prescriptions and payments. It is set over four days a week, from 8am to 6:30pm, and needs prior customer service experience, which is essential. Interviews are on 17 November 2026.

What the job involves

• Receive, assist and direct patients to the appropriate service or healthcare professional
• Deal with general enquiries, including booking, cancelling and amending appointments
• Register new patients onto the clinical system
• Record urgent and home visit requests so they are actioned in good time
• Action prescription requests within practice timeframes, liaising with pharmacies
• Facilitate communication between patients, the primary care team, secondary care and other healthcare agencies
• Advise patients of charges for private services, take payment and issue receipts, keeping accurate records
• Answer and make telephone calls, including the practice's centralised call centre
• Pass safeguarding reports to the appropriate clinician in good time
• Open and close the premises, including the alarm, and keep them secure, reporting security issues
• Receive and distribute incoming mail
• Follow confidentiality, data protection and information governance policies, reporting breaches to the Operations Office immediately

What's required

Qualifications

• GCSE grades A to C in English and Maths, or equivalent

Experience

• Customer service delivery in a reception or public-facing setting
• Experience of working in a busy environment

Skills & knowledge

• Good telephone manner
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge
• Use of Microsoft Word and Outlook
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Excellent teamworking

Other

• Self-motivated and organised
• Positive attitude
• Awareness of confidentiality requirements
• Ability to work under pressure
• Reliable and flexible

Nice to have

• Previous receptionist experience
• Knowledge of SystmOne
• Previous experience in a healthcare setting
• NVQ in customer service or equivalent

What's offered

• Opportunity to join the NHS pension
• Free parking