Receptionist

The Methodist Church in Britain; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Pontesbury & Worthen Medical Practice is seeking a full-time Receptionist to act as the first point of contact for patients and manage appointments across two sites.

You will handle calls, book appointments, maintain patient flow, and support the practice team. Driving licence is essential due to site mobility. Some evenings and weekends may be required.

Qualifications

• Education to GCSE level (or equivalent) including English language.

Responsibilities

• Serve as first point of contact for patients at the reception desk and on the phones.
• Book and manage appointments and recalls on the EMIS system.
• Manage patient flow into consulting rooms and assist walk-ins when needed.
• Respond to patient and visitor requests with professionalism.
• Act as liaison between patients, doctors and the wider team.
• Provide reception cover across both practice sites.
• Operate the telephone system and take accurate messages.
• Retrieve and file medical records in strict alphabetical order.
• Monitor appointments and report problems or variations.
• Open premises, prepare for patients and switch to night service.
• Download Shropdoc reports and pass to the duty GP.
• Carry out other delegated duties appropriate to the post.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

IT literacy

Organisational skills

Initiative & judgement

Workload prioritisation

Team player

Education

GCSEs including English

Tools

EMIS system

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

This receptionist post sits in the reception team at Pontesbury & Worthen Medical Practice, a five-doctor GP partnership serving just over 10,300 patients. The holder is the first point of contact for patients, managing appointments and the flow of patients into consulting rooms, and linking patients with doctors and the wider primary care team. The role is full time, Monday to Friday, and covers reception across both practice sites, with some evenings and weekends as needed. A driving licence is essential because the work moves between sites.

What the job involves

• Act as the first point of contact for patients at the reception desk and on the telephones
• Book and manage appointments and recalls on the EMIS system
• Manage the flow of patients into consulting rooms, and see walk-in patients who need a doctor urgently in a non-disruptive way
• Respond to requests for assistance from patients and other visitors
• Act as a focal point of communication between patients, doctors, the Primary Health Care Team and administration staff
• Provide reception cover across both practice sites
• Operate the telephone system, diverting calls and taking accurate messages
• Retrieve and refile medical records in strict alphabetical order
• Monitor the appointment system and report problems or variations
• Open the premises, prepare for patients and switch the telephones to night service
• Download Shropdoc reports and pass them to the duty GP
• Carry out other delegated duties appropriate to the post

Qualifications

• Education to GCSE (or equivalent) including English language

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Good IT and keyboard skills
• Good organisational skills, with accuracy and attention to detail in transcribing information
• Ability to use initiative, judgement and common sense
• Ability to work without supervision and set own workload priorities
• Confident referral of matters to doctors or the practice manager

Checks & eligibility

• Driving licence, needed to work across both sites

Other

• Compassion and integrity
• Absolute confidentiality and discretion
• Ability to work as part of a team and under pressure
• Flexibility about hours and tasks, including some evenings and weekends
• Willingness to learn
• Professional appearance

Nice to have

• Word and Excel qualifications
• Medical receptionist or equivalent experience
• Customer service or experience dealing with the public