Receptionist

The Methodist Church in Britain; South Tyneside; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full training and induction

Ongoing training in primary care

Job summary

Arlington Road Medical Practice is seeking a friendly front-of-house receptionist to greet patients, answer calls and book appointments. You will liaise with GPs and other staff, manage messages, and signpost patients to the right service. Training is provided, and no healthcare background is required.

Shifts finish at 6pm or 6:30pm, with morning-only availability not suitable; GCSE maths and English at grade C+ are required, along with good IT skills and accurate keyboard work.

Qualifications

• GCSE maths and English at grade C or above, or equivalent.
• Experience dealing with the public.
• Experience using IT systems, including Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Greet and check in patients at the reception desk.
• Answer incoming calls and deal with patient queries.
• Book, change and cancel appointments, including urgent ones, in person and by phone.
• Check and respond to clinical and administrative messages.
• Liaise with GPs, nurses, healthcare assistants and the wider practice team.
• Signpost patients to the right service, such as a pharmacist, NHS 111 or community services.
• Handle sensitive information under confidentiality and data protection rules.
• Register new patients and temporary residents, completing the required forms.
• Receive hospital post and samples, logging, labelling and preparing them for collection.
• Prepare and frank outgoing post securely.
• Dispose of confidential waste and shred paperwork.
• Lock up, switch off equipment and set the alarm on late shifts.

Skills

Good level of literacy

Confident, clear communication

Accurate typing

Friendly, approachable, patient and ~

Education

GCSE maths and English at grade C or above

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Front-of-house receptionist post at Arlington Road Medical Practice, a GP practice serving around 12,000 patients alongside GPs, paramedics, nurses and other care staff. The work centres on greeting patients, answering calls, booking and changing appointments, and passing messages or signposting people to the right service. Shifts must finish at 6pm or 6:30pm, with morning-only availability ruled out, and no healthcare background is needed because full training is given. Strong IT skills and GCSE maths and English are required.

What the job involves

• Greet and check in patients at the reception desk
• Answer incoming calls and deal with patient queries
• Book, change and cancel appointments, including urgent ones, in person and by phone
• Check and respond to clinical and administrative messages
• Liaise with GPs, nurses, healthcare assistants and the wider practice team
• Signpost patients to the right service, such as a pharmacist, NHS 111 or community services
• Handle sensitive information under confidentiality and data protection rules
• Register new patients and temporary residents, completing the required forms
• Receive hospital post and samples, logging, labelling and preparing them for collection
• Prepare and frank outgoing post securely
• Dispose of confidential waste and shred paperwork
• Lock up, switch off equipment and set the alarm on late shifts

Qualifications

• GCSE maths and English at grade C or above, or equivalent

Experience

• Experience of dealing with the public
• Experience using IT systems, including Microsoft Office

Skills & knowledge

• Good level of literacy
• Confident, clear communication in person and on the phone
• Accurate typing and computer skills for entering information
• Friendly, approachable, patient and compassionate manner

Other

• Available for shifts finishing at 6pm or 6:30pm, as morning-only availability is not suitable

Nice to have

• Further educational qualifications
• Previous experience working in a healthcare setting
• Previous experience working in a GP practice

What's offered

• Full training and development provided during induction
• Ongoing training to help build skills within primary care