Receptionist

The purpose of the role is to: Offer general assistance to the practice team and project a positive and friendly image to patients and other visitors, either in person or via the telephone Answer the telephone promptly and book appointments according to the Practice Policy in a courteous and helpful manner Duties and responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities to be undertaken by members of the reception team may include any or all of the items in the following list. Duties may be varied from time to time under the direction of the senior receptionist/deputy practice manager, dependent on current and evolving practice workload and staffing levels: Opening up/locking-up of practice premises and maintaining security in accordance with Practice protocols Book appointments for clinical staff in accordance with Practice Policy Take telephone and face to face requests for appointments and deal in a calm, courteous and helpful manner. Taking messages and passing on information Processing repeat prescriptions in accordance with practice guidelines Initiating contact with and responding to requests from patients, other team member and associated healthcare agencies and providers Keeping the reception area, notice-boards and leaflet dispensers tidy and free from obstructions and clutter Confidentiality: In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers.

They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data Health & safety: The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice health & safety policy, the practice health & safety manual, and the practice infection control policy and published procedures. This will include: Monitor and maintain security during working hours Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards Actively reporting of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, assisting in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness consistent with the scope of the job holders role Maintain covid security at all times Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually) Equality and diversity: The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights. Personal/professional development: The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work Team Responsibilities To monitor and maintain security during working hours Ability to deal with difficult/stressful situations calmly and efficiently To work well in a team Cover for colleagues in time of sickness, annual leave and courses To apply oneself diligently to ones work during working hours, working under ones own initiative, work methodically and take responsibility.

To be punctual and responsible To be discreet and confidential about the details of your work both at work and outside of working hours Contribution to the implementation of services: The post-holder will: Apply practice policies, standards and guidance Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work Participate in audit where appropriate