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Job summary

Main area
Patient Access
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 2
Contract
12 months (Fixed Term 16 hours - Flexible Mon-Fri)
Hours
Part time - 16 hours per week (Fixed Term 16 hours - Flexible Mon-Fri)
Job ref
418-COR3335-KS-A
Employer
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bedford Hospital South Wing
Town
Bedford
Salary
£24,169 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
27/05/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Outpatients Receptionist

NHS AfC: Band 2

Job overview

Applicants are invited to join the Outpatient Reception Team at Bedford Hospital.  The post holder will embody the THRIVE values and will have experience in a similar role.  Knowledge of patient record systems/data bases with proven experience, plus previous admin/clerical experience. Applicants should ideally be familiar with healthcare services.

Be dependable with a flexible attitude to work and able to work on your own initiative. You must possess strong organisational skills, be able to deliver objectives within an agreed timeframe, excellent people and communication skills to maintain effective communication links, and have a flexible approach to the evolving needs of the service. It is essential that you possess excellent keyboard skills and experience of administering data bases.

This is a busy reception area with a high throughput of work and staff are required to work efficiently as part of a team whilst maintaining courtesy, tact and diplomacy at all times. All team members are expected to work in all areas of the Trust.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will have day to day responsibility for the administration of the relevant Patient Information system and the Reception area.  They will work as part of a team providing front line administration services to the department, welcome patients and visitors to the department, the booking of outpatient appointments, ensuring medical notes and appropriate documentation is prepared and available for all clinics, answering the telephone to both internal and external callers and arrange patient transport as required. 

Well-developed Interpersonal skills – able to converse in a positive manner at all levels. Also remaining composed at all times and show empathy when dealing with emotionally distressed patients or those receiving bad news. You will need to be physically fit and able to lift. 

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton.  Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities. 

Ensure that the Reception area is well maintained and welcoming at all times.

Be able to concentrate whilst working in a busy, potentially noisy environment.

Prepare all relevant documentation for clinics, making sure patient labels, new referrals and results are all available in the patient’s notes.

Ensure PIMS is fully maintained, all patient information up to date and clinics are appropriately cashed up and patients added to waiting lists where appropriate.

Liaise with consultants and secretaries regarding queries with clinics and copies of referral letters.

Accurate data input relating to patient details and appointments

Assist in covering the absences of other Reception staff as and when required in all areas of the Trust. This may involve working extra hours

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Good standard of oral and written English GCSE or equivalent

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Recent Reception experience
  • Experience in Customer Care
  • Experience of using Databases
Desirable criteria
  • Previous Reception experience

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of filing/record keeping
  • Excellent communication skills – written and verbal
  • Evidence of working in a multidisciplinary team
  • Demonstrates a knowledge of confidentiality issues and able to work within requirements of Data Protection
Desirable criteria
  • Use of Hospital PiMS

Personal Skills

Essential criteria
  • To work in other areas of the department and trust when required
  • Self-awareness of assets and limitations
  • Ability to prioritise workload
  • Willingness to undertake training as required
Desirable criteria
  • Demonstrates the ability to adapt and change within a working situation

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024Employer with Heart

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Yolanda Hardware
Job title
Patient Access Admin Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01234 355122
Additional information

Ext 3468

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