Job overview

The post holder(s) will be responsible for providing a comprehensive medical secretarial service to Paediatric Consultant’s team. 

The medical secretary will be instrumental in the smooth running of the office and will need to work without supervision, using their initiative when dealing with enquiries that arise in the absence of the consultant, to bring about a successful outcome. 

The post holder could be required to assist on the administration of the unit as necessary including minute taking as required.

The post also demands the ability to communicate at all levels with patients, relatives, medical colleagues and allied health professionals and maintain a high standard of service to meet the needs of the patient.

This is offered as a 14 month fixed term or secondment opportunity.

Main duties of the job

To provide the focal point of communication as required for medical, professional and allied medical staff, both within this Trust and with external organisations and patients, using judgement to facilitate a successful outcome for all enquiries.

Manage own workload, follow through queries and progress chase, in order to free up clinical time for consultant, so improving information and access for patients.

Deal with concerned patients/relatives with tact, patience and discretion, especially when conveying sensitive information. Patient contact by telephone is an integral part of the secretarial role, often to convey information, which could be difficult/distressing for patients to comprehend. 

Implement policies for own area and keep updated.

Alert consultant/manager to any urgent/extraordinary findings.

Ensure all correspondence for the consultant and his/her team, including clinical letters, discharge summaries, medico-legal reports, minutes of committee meetings, results etc, is typed and dispatched promptly. The majority of the correspondence will be audio typing using Big Hand transcription system and electronic filing using Electronic Document systems (EVOLVE).

Deal with all telephone calls, faxes and e-mails promptly and assess any action that may be required.

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.

Our values

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

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

 

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. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.