Receptionist

Balance Street Practice; Uttoxeter; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Balance Street Practice is seeking a professional Receptionist to be the first point of contact for patients and clinical staff. The role includes handling general receptionist duties, updating patient records, and using dedicated software with excellent communication both face-to-face and on the phone.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to work on their own initiative and as part of a team, remain calm under pressure, and maintain strict confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Face‑to‑face and telephone communication with members of the public is essential.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure and in a changing environment.
• Understanding and adherence to strict confidentiality of patient information.
• Good IT skills and ability to use practice software and systems.
• Ability to manage workloads and use own judgement.

Responsibilities

• Deal with general enquiries, explain procedures and make new and follow-up appointments.
• Use and manage the triage system to direct patients to the appropriate clinician.
• Prioritise urgent consultations in a logical, non-disruptive manner.
• Receive and make telephone calls, diverting or taking messages as needed.
• Arrange home visits in line with practice protocols.
• Enter patient information into computer systems as required.
• Support clinical staff with general tasks as requested.

Skills

Communication skills

Telephone handling

IT skills

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Job description

The role of the Receptionist is to be a first point of contact for patients and clinical staff, as well as undertaking a full range of general receptionist administrative duties. The post holder is required to be courteous, sympathetic, and professional in these dealings. The need to liaise effectively with other health professionals and colleagues is a major requirement of this post and previous experience of face to face and telephone communication with members of the public is essential. Answering telephone calls is a large proportion of the role and good IT skills are crucial, as the successful candidate will be required to update patient records as well as communicate effectively via our dedicated software and programs. Applicants should have ideally worked or currently working in a GP Practice or customer service role. Candidates must: Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team Ability to work under pressure and in a changing environment Have an understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team Pleasant and articulate Excellent communication skills Able to work under pressure Able to work in a changing environment Able to use own initiative Problem solver -Ensure an effective and efficient reception service is provided to patients and any other visitors to Balance Street Practice

• Deal with all general enquiries, explain procedures and make new and follow-up appointments.
• Use and management of the Triage system- effectively, responding to a patient request (e.g., sick note or repeat prescription) on the system or signposting/allocating patients to the most appropriate clinician for either a telephone or face to face consultation/appointment
• Using your own judgment and communication skills to ensure that patients with no prior appointment but who need urgent consultation are seen in a logical and non-disruptive manner.
• Receive and make telephone calls as required. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery.
• To arrange patients home visits as per practice protocols
• Advise patients of relevant charges for private (non General Medical Services) services, accept payment and issue receipts for same.
• Carry out departmental administrative tasks in accordance with the needs of the service.
• Enter patient information on to the computer systems as required.

Premises:

• Open up premises at the start of the day when first to arrive, de-activate alarm and make all necessary preparations to receive patients.
• Support all clinical staff with general tasks as requested Undertake any other additional duties appropriate to the post as requested by the Partners or the Practice Manager