Relief Medical Secretary

Northumbria Healthcare Nhs Foundation Trust; Ashington; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider is seeking a Relief Medical Secretary for the Orthopaedic Team in Ashington. This full-time position requires advanced typing and transcription skills, excellent organizational abilities, and experience in similar secretarial roles. You will act as the primary support to consultants, manage diaries, and ensure efficient patient administration. The Trust promotes diversity and inclusivity and offers numerous employee benefits, including health programs and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Extensive health and well-being program

Flexible working opportunities

Generous annual leave

Access to professional development training

Qualifications

• Experience in secretarial roles within Orthopaedic or Plastics teams.
• Ability to manage diaries and communicate effectively with GPs and patients.
• Familiarity with patient administration processes.

Responsibilities

• Act up in absence of Lead Secretary during leave or sickness.
• Provide secretarial services and manage diaries.
• Support management of patient journeys and administrative targets.

Skills

Advanced typing and transcription skills

Excellent organisational skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Suitable qualification for secretarial role

OCR 3 or equivalent qualification

Tools

T-Pro software

ECDL

Knowledge of PAS

Job description

Relief Medical Secretary – Orthopaedic Team

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our team as a Relief Medical Secretary on a fixed term 12‑month contract within the Orthopaedic Team. The role is full‑time Monday‑Friday and will be based at Wansbeck General Hospital, with the post holder possibly working at other sites within the Trust. Previous applicants need not apply. We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received.

Responsibilities

• Act up in absence of Lead Secretary for periods of annual leave/short‑term sickness absence.
• Provide comprehensive secretarial service to consultant(s) and their team.
• Manage diaries, arrange and minute meetings, communicate with GPs & patients.
• Advanced typing & transcription of clinical & non‑clinical documents (OCR 3 or equivalent qualification/experience).
• Support effective utilisation of OP clinic capacity.
• Support management of all patient journeys including target administration (e.g. GP referrals, 18‑week RTT, Cancer 2‑ww, typed communication to GPs).
• Support Lead Secretary with induction/training of new staff and share knowledge with colleagues.
• Resource management – ordering of supplies & equipment.
• Allocate work to Band 2 staff.

Qualifications & Experience

• Suitable qualification and experience for a secretarial role in Orthopaedic or Plastics teams.
• Advanced typing and transcription skills (OCR 3 or equivalent).
• Knowledge of IT packages and their applications; T‑Pro software package experience desirable; ECDL and knowledge of PAS desirable.
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet strict deadlines and use own initiative.

EEO & Diversity

Applicants who are members of the Armed Forces, and those who have a disability that requires support in the workplace, and who meet the essential criteria will be interviewed under the Trust’s interview guarantee scheme. We recognise the positive value of diversity and inclusion and are committed to a workforce that is diverse, equal and inclusive. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME people are currently under‑represented in our workforce as well as other under‑represented groups such as LGBT+ and disabled candidates. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, we have a Gold award from the Defence Recognition Scheme, and we are delighted to support Apprenticeships, Age Positive and are a mindful employer.

Fit and Proper Person Requirements

Applicants who meet the Fit and Proper Person Requirements (FPPR) will require additional pre‑employment checks in line with CQC and NHS England statutory guidance.

Visa Sponsorship

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust proudly holds a sponsor licence. In order to provide sponsorship you and the role you are applying for must meet UKVI eligibility requirements. Please check your eligibility prior to submitting an application. Skilled Worker visa: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). We reserve the right for the successful applicant to pay for their own DBS certification if required; the method of payment is a salary deduction from the first monthly pay.

Contact & Adjustments

If you require any reasonable adjustments to attend interview please make the recruitment team aware as soon as possible by calling our HR Recruitment Team on 0191 203 1415 option 2.

Benefits

• Extensive staff health and well‑being programme including access to our specialist Wellbeing Hub
• Support and connection through a variety of Staff Network groups
• A range of flexible working opportunities
• Generous annual leave and pension scheme
• Access to lease car and home electronics scheme (qualifying criteria applies)
• Opportunities to improve your professional development through our vast training programmes
• Access to savings scheme via salary sacrifice with Northumberland Community Bank