Part-time Receptionist

We are currently looking for a new member of staff to join our fantastic reception team here at Carnon Downs Surgery.

Closing date

Part-time Receptionist at Carnon Downs Surgery

It’s our team of dedicated and loyal staff members that make the difference to each one of our patients.

We are looking to employ someone who has great interpersonal skills and a commitment to patient centred care here at Carnon Downs Surgery.  This is a busy and varied role and provides a focal point for patients, attached staff and the wider community by supporting our patients with their health and wellbeing.

So, if you want to join our team and you feel passionately about giving great service with compassion, empathy and professionalism we would love to hear from you.  This position will offer job satisfaction to someone who enjoys helping others working in an administrative healthcare setting and understanding the importance of confidentiality will be essential.

You will need to be able to work in a calm, logical and methodical way but be able to multi-task whilst dealing with frequent interruptions, so possessing effective communication skills is essential.

You should have proven customer care skills or have worked in a customer care focused environment. Previous experience in a healthcare setting would be an advantage.  You will be required to have a good level of education and have experience in Administration and Clerical duties with good keyboard skills. The successful post holders will be expected to cover colleagues in times of sickness and annual leave.

The surgery’s current opening times are 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday with the hours spread over the weekdays. Salary will start at the National Living Wage per hour but is dependent on experience with a NHS Pension, uniform and free parking provided. There is very occasional weekend and evening work in line with the current requirements of the NHS extended hours provision.  However, this is on a rotational basis and advance notice is always given. 

Closing date: Mon 14 July 2025 PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY)

Please complete an application form with a covering letter and CV to the address below. Application form and Job Description are available on-line via the website at www.carnondownssurgery.nhs.uk

Email the completed forms and letter to Alison.hunt11@nhs.net

Or send to: Mrs Alison Hunt, Assistant Practice Manager, The Surgery, Bissoe Road, Carnon Downs, Truro, TR3 6JD, Telephone 01872 863221

Job Description

Part-time Medical Receptionist

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE POST:

  • An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY.
  • An ability to use your own judgement, resourcefulness, common sense and local knowledge to respond to patients’ enquiries and requests.
  • Excellent interpersonal and telecommunication skills.
  • Flexibility with regard to rotas and working patterns.
  • The post holder would be expected to undertake training and development commensurate with her post.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST:

RECEPTION DUTIES:

  • Ensure efficiency of appointment systems and monitor flow of patients into consulting and treatment rooms.
  • Ensure that patients who need an ‘urgent’ consultation are seen in a logical and non-disruptive manner.
  • Explain practice requirements and the facilities we have to offer to new patients and those seeking temporary cover, ensuring all formal procedures are completed.
  • Respond to all queries and requests for assistance from patients and other visitors.
  • Advise of private service charges, accept payment and issue receipts for same
  • Enter messages and requests for home visits into relevant duty doctor clinic and including all pertinent information.
  • In conjunction with the dispensary ensure that requests for prescriptions are actioned where possible within 72 hours. This may also include ordering medication within strict guidelines.
  • Issue medication to patients, checking items of medication against prescription and accepting payment where appropriate. Ensure entitlement of all patients claiming exemption is current.
  • Enter requests and information for Midwives, District Nurses, Health Visitors, CPN's, Counsellors, Physiotherapist etc. via correct pathways.
  • Action requests for ambulance transportation and record details appropriately.
  • Ensure reception (i.e. all working areas generally) and waiting areas are kept neat and tidy.

MANAGEMENT OF APPOINTMENT SYSTEMS:

  • Ensure total familiarity with all appointment systems including regular and incidental variations.
  • Book appointments and recalls ensuring sufficient information is recorded to retrieve relevant medical record and correct time allocated for the procedure.
  • Monitor effectiveness of the system and report any problems or variations required.

MANAGEMENT OF MEDICAL RECORDS:

  • Ensure that the paper record is available for the doctor in the instance of urgent consultation.
  • Retrieve and refile paper records as required ensuring that STRICT ALPHABETICAL order is adhered to.
  • Ensure that all correspondence, reports, results etc are passed to secretarial team to be filed electronically in correct patient’s records.
  • Ensure paper records are kept neat and tidy and in good repair with all necessary information recorded correctly on the outer cover.
  • Add new patients, temporary residents and patients requiring immediately necessary treatment on to the computer system.

OPERATION OF TELEPHONE SYSTEM:

  • Receive and make calls as required. Divert calls and take messages as appropriate.
  • Ensure that the system is operational at the beginning of each day and switched over to night service at the end of each day.

START AND END OF DAY PROCEDURES:

  • Open up premises at start of day, set alarm to day function and make all necessary preparations to receive patients. (if required)
  • Secure premises at end of day, ensure building is totally secured, internal lights off and alarm activated if necessary. (if required)

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION:

  • Ensure familiarity with incoming/outgoing medical records, new patient registration checks, temporary residents, specimen collection, managing tasks for the team and arranging appointments at the request of a clinician.
  • Ensure familiarity with the computer systems for input of patient data – recording new patient information, vaccinations and immunisations, test results, running audits etc.

ANY OTHER DELEGATED DUTIES CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE TO THE POST.

This job description is not exhaustive but covers the main duties that the post holder will be expected to undertake.  These duties may be revised from time to time following consultation with the post holder.

Application Form

Please send a c.v. and a completed application for the role to alison.hunt11@nhs.net

APPLICATION FORM