Receptionist

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust in Sunderland is seeking a Receptionist to provide high quality front desk support at Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital. You will register attendances, handle the eye emergency queue, and be the first point of contact for patients both face to face and by phone.

The role requires NHS experience, GCSEs, and strong communication, empathy and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths & English C or above, or equivalent.
• NVQ Level 2 qualification or equivalent in any subject.
• Proven prior experience of working in the NHS.

Responsibilities

• To provide a high quality reception service and care to patients attending the outpatients and Eye Emergency departments.
• To be responsible for registering attendances and updating patient demographic details in the patient administration system.
• To comply with the Trusts vision, values and behavioural compact.

Skills

Prioritise tasks

Patient communication

Verbal/written communication

Empathy

Keyboard skills

Email/documentation

Health and safety awareness

Confidentiality

Willing to undertake training

Education

GCSE Maths & English C or above, or equivalent

NVQ Level 2 qualification or equivalent in any subject

Tools

NetCall system

Patient administration system

Job description

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Receptionist

The closing date is 29 October 2026

There are so many reasons tojoin our team at Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital.

Aside from our fantastic staff, we have lots of exciting thingsgoing on.

We have recently moved into our new Eye Hospital in Sunderland.

The new hospital means Sunderland will remain home to theregions only dedicated standalone eye hospital. It will strengthen ourexcellent reputation across the NHS, both regionally and nationally as a centre ofexcellence for ophthalmology care.

We also never stay still when it comes to discovering new andbetter treatments. As one of the few specialist eye hospitals in the country,research and using developing technology is a key part of our work. Weencourage innovation and research in everything we do. There is alwayssomething to get involved in.

If you share our vision for 'excellence in all that we do',wed love you to join us!

Main duties of the job

• To be responsible for registering attendances and updating patient demographic details in the patient administration system.
• To work on our NetCall system and manage our eye emergency telephone queue.
• To be first point of contact for all patients attending Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital Emergency Department both face to face and on the phone.
• To support in the triage of patients.
• To complete scanning of documentation onto our patient systems.
• To work flexibily across other reception areas when required.

Please note the Trust are not able to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the UKVI threshold requirements. Applicants are requested to consider this when making their application. Please visit Gov.UK for further information.

About us

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI,and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, wemay withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

• To providea high quality reception service and care to patients attending the outpatientsand Eye Emergency departments.
• To beresponsible for registering attendances and updating patient demographicdetails in the patient administration system.
• To complywith the Trusts vision, values and behavioural compact.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths & English C or above, or equivalent
• NVQ Level 2 qualification or equivalent in any subject

Experience

• Proven prior experience of working in the NHS

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to prioritise tasks.
• Ability to communicate in an understandable way to patients and colleagues, adapting communication style to meet the needs of the recipient.
• Ability to communicate messages and instructions accurately to colleagues, both verbally and in writing.
• Basic skills of empathy and reassurance.
• Basic keyboard skills.
• Ability to use basic email system and document clearly, using plain English.
• Basic understanding of health and safety requirements in a patient environment.
• General understanding of confidentiality requirements in a health care setting.
• Willing to undertake further training related to role.

Physical Skills

• Basic keyboard skills

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

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust