Surgical Secretary, Band 3 - Colorectal Surgery

The Methodist Church in Britain; Bradley Stoke; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working opportunities

Generous annual leave allowance

NHS pension scheme

Competitive bank rates

Discounts at local shops, restaurants,

Two on-site nurseries

Reward and recognition scheme

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Permanent Surgical Secretary to support the Colorectal Surgery team. The role focuses on elective surgery waiting lists, admissions, and a busy consultant's diary.

You will type dictations, manage clinics, and coordinate with external bodies while maintaining patient confidentiality. The post requires fast, accurate audio typing, good medical terminology knowledge, and strong organisational skills within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above, or equivalent.
• Experience dealing with members of the public and prioritising workload.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; accuracy in typing and document handling.
• Proficient use of hospital computer systems and MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive secretarial service to a busy consultant surgeon.
• Act as first point of contact for patients, GPs, colleagues and outside bodies.
• Manage elective surgery waiting lists and use of theatre lists.
• Plan and coordinate surgical admissions for patients.
• Track results and appointments and flag urgent items to clinicians.
• Audio-type correspondence and clinical documents from dictation.
• Manage the consultant's diary, arrange appointments and paperwork.
• Check clinic outcomes for accuracy and liaise with Central Booking Office.
• Maintain databases for audits and service improvements.
• Support training and cover colleagues during absence.

Skills

Verbal communication

English accuracy

Organisational skills

Touch typing

Audio typing

Microsoft Office

Medical terminology

Confidentiality

Education

GCSE English & Maths grade C+

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Hospital computer systems

Job description

Permanent Surgical Secretary post in the Colorectal Surgery team at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, sitting within the GI Surgery division. The role provides a full administrative service to a busy consultant surgeon, covering diary management, correspondence, referrals and patient and clinician queries. It differs in its focus on the elective surgery waiting list and surgical admissions, carried out within a multi-skilled team on a Monday to Friday pattern. Fit depends on fast, accurate audio typing and a working understanding of medical terminology.

What the job involves

• Provide a comprehensive secretarial service to a busy consultant surgeon
• Act as first point of contact for patients, GPs, colleagues and outside bodies, using judgement to resolve queries
• Manage and oversee elective surgery waiting lists, including use of theatre lists
• Plan and co-ordinate surgical admissions for patients
• Track results and appointments, flag urgent items to clinicians and act to meet RTT targets
• Audio-type correspondence and clinical documents from dictation
• Manage the consultant's diary, arranging appointments, meetings and paperwork
• Check clinic outcomes for accuracy and work with the Central Booking Office to fill clinics
• Liaise with external bodies such as social services and other hospitals
• Maintain databases for audit and survey purposes and help with service improvements
• Help collate information on patient complaints and escalated as required
• Cover colleagues during absence, support training and induction, and carry out routine office duties

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above, or equivalent

Experience

• Experience of dealing with members of the public
• Experience of using own initiative and prioritising workload

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent verbal communication and command of English, punctuation and grammar
• Proven organisational skills and ability to work to deadlines
• Fast, accurate touch typing and audio typing
• Excellent attention to detail
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and Outlook diary management
• Understanding of medical terminology

Other

• Proficient use of hospital computer systems
• Professional telephone manner that resolves queries
• Good interpersonal skills with internal and external contacts
• Flexibility to meet service needs and work within a team
• Maintaining confidentiality of sensitive and personal information

Nice to have

• Typewriting or word processing RSA Level 3 or equivalent practical experience
• Previous experience working in a busy office
• Previous medical secretary, hospital or NHS service experience
• Experience of data entry, maintaining databases and validating electronic records
• Strong commitment to personal and professional development

What’s offered

• Flexible working opportunities
• Generous annual leave allowance
• NHS pension scheme
• Competitive bank rates
• Discounts at local shops, restaurants and public transport
• Two on-site nurseries
• Reward and recognition scheme
• Health and wellbeing initiatives