Receptionist

Blacketts Medical Practice; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

A medical practice in Tees Valley is seeking a Receptionist to provide effective reception services to patients and visitors. The ideal candidate should have excellent communication skills and a background in customer service. Responsibilities include managing enquiries, handling appointments, and maintaining patient records. This part-time role requires flexible working hours over three days, ensuring a professional environment at all times.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a customer-facing or administrative role.
• Experience handling telephone and face-to-face enquiries in a busy environment.
• Experience working in a GP practice, NHS, or healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide an effective and efficient reception service to patients and visitors.
• Deal with general enquiries and assist patients with appointments.
• Enter and update patient information on the clinical computer system.

Skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Strong organisational and time-management skills

Ability to work accurately under pressure

Competent in using Microsoft Office and clinical/administrative systems

Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information

Knowledge of GP practice procedures and services

Understanding of confidentiality, data protection, and safeguarding

Education

Good general education, including GCSE in English and Maths

NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Business Administration or Customer Service

Training in medical terminology

Tools

SystmOne clinical system

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Receptionist to join the team at Blacketts Medical Practice. The successful candidate will ensure an effective and efficient receptionservice is provided to patients and visitors to the practice, both face to face and over the telephone.

Hours: 23.5 or 24.5hours per week over three days, some flexibility in hours will be required.

Working days will be either Monday, Wednesday and Friday or Monday, Wednesday and Thursday - to be discussed in interview.

Main duties of the job

Provide an effective and efficient reception service to patients and visitors to the practice, ensuring a welcoming and professional environment at all times.

Deal with general enquiries, providing accurate information on practice services and procedures, and assisting patients with making, cancelling, and following up appointments.

Explain practice arrangements and registration procedures to new patients and those requiring temporary cover, ensuring that all necessary paperwork is completed accurately.

Receive and make telephone calls as required, ensuring calls are handled promptly and courteously. Accurately record and deliver messages or divert calls as appropriate.

Advise patients of relevant charges for private (non-GMS) services, accept payments, and issue receipts in line with practice procedures.

Enter and update patient information on the clinical computer system accurately and in accordance with data protection and confidentiality policies.

Assist with practice security procedures, ensuring that when last to leave, the building is fully secured, internal lights are turned off, and the alarm system is activated.

Carry out any other reasonable duties appropriate to the role as directed by the Reception Team Leader or Practice Manager.

About us

Blacketts Medical Practice is a well established and successful GP practice with a patient list of approximately 11,500. Our dedicated team includes five GP partners, three salaried GPs, a Nurse Practitioner, Pharmacist, an excellent nursing team, and a friendly, efficient administrative team.

We are proud of our strong performance we consistently score highly in QOF and were rated Good in our most recent CQC inspection. The practice uses SystmOne as our clinical system.

Our spacious, purpose built premises are located in the centre of Darlington, providing a welcoming and well-equipped environment for both patients and staff. The building also accommodates private physiotherapy and chiropody services, as well as rooms for social prescribers, midwives, and mental health workers, allowing us to work closely with other professionals to deliver high‑quality, integrated patient care.

Job responsibilities

Provide an effective and efficient reception service to patients and visitors to the practice, ensuring a welcoming and professional environment at all times.

Deal with general enquiries, providing accurate information on practice services and procedures, and assisting patients with making, cancelling, and following up appointments.

Explain practice arrangements and registration procedures to new patients and those requiring temporary cover, ensuring that all necessary paperwork is completed accurately.

Receive and make telephone calls as required, ensuring calls are handled promptly and courteously. Accurately record and deliver messages or divert calls as appropriate.

Advise patients of relevant charges for private (non‑GMS) services, accept payments, and issue receipts in line with practice procedures.

Enter and update patient information on the clinical computer system accurately and in accordance with data protection and confidentiality policies.

Assist with practice security procedures, ensuring that when last to leave, the building is fully secured, internal lights are turned off, and the alarm system is activated.

Carry out any other reasonable duties appropriate to the role as directed by the Reception Team Leader or Practice Manager.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills
• Ability to work accurately under pressure
• Competent in using Microsoft Office and clinical/administrative systems
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately
• Knowledge of GP practice procedures and services
• Understanding of confidentiality, data protection, and safeguarding within a healthcare environment

Experience

• Previous experience in a customer‑facing or administrative role
• Experience handling telephone and face‑to‑face enquiries in a busy environment
• Experience working in a GP practice, NHS, or healthcare setting
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team

Qualifications

• Good general education, including GCSE, or equivalent, in English and Maths
• Evidence of IT literacy and ability to use computer systems effectively
• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Business Administration or Customer Service
• Training in medical terminology
• Experience using SystmOne clinical system

Personal Qualities and Other Requirements

• Professional, courteous, and patient‑focused approach
• Reliable and punctual
• Team player with a flexible attitude
• Ability to use initiative and work independently when required
• Commitment to providing high‑quality service and patient care
• Flexibility to work additional hours to cover holidays or sickness when required
• Willingness to undertake further training and development as required