• Job Description

  Req#: C9439-2526-0204?language=en&page=233&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Reception Team based at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

  Working 37.5 hours per week as part of our reception team, you will be responsible for the provision of a high standard reception service within the outpatient departments.

  You will be educated to 5 GCSE Level or NVQ Level 2 in Business & Administration or Customer Service and have relevant experience within a busy office environment. Previous NHS experience and knowledge of Patient Administration Systems would be advantageous but is not essential.

  The ability to work under pressure both individually and as part of a team is important to ensure that deadlines are met. Good organisational and interpersonal skills are essential in order to be able to achieve this. Excellent customer service skills are essential for this role.

  The successful candidate will be based at Bishop Auckland Hospital but may be required to work at other sites within the Trust, if necessary.

  Main duties of the job

  You will be responsible for the reception of patients and visitors to the Outpatient Department. This includes arriving patients for their appointments, arranging any future appointments taking in to account clinic rules, urgent/routine ratios and working with clinical staff to achieve patient satisfaction. You will also liaise with GP's, hospital staff and other professional bodies to ensure smooth running of the department.

  To ensure that any enquiries are dealt with in a prompt, responsive and courteous manner at all times to ensure patients are satisfied with the service provided by the Reception Team and to ensure the Trust is portrayed in a positive manner

  You will be required to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota system to cover adhoc clinics

  About us

  If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

  You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

  We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

  We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

  Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

  Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success

  For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

  From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)

  Details

  Date posted

  22 May 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 2

  Salary

  £23,615 a year

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time

  Reference number

  C9439-2526-0204

  Job locations

  Bishop Auckland General Hospital

  Cockton Hill Road

  Bishop Auckland

  County Durham

  DL14 6AD

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  Responsible for the reception of patients and visitors to the Outpatients Department and all reception duties concerned e.g. sorting post / filing / stock monitoring / photocopying / delivery checks.

  Responsible for the timely and accurate clinic management of appointments & waiting list on the Patient Administration System, implement time surveys on the waiting times of clinics as required and have a basic knowledge of medical terminology to allow further appointments to be arranged

  Responsible for registering new patients on the computerised Patient Administration System ensuring data is retrieved and recorded accurately as the information is fed to other systems within the hospital.

  Ensure patients, relatives; employers of and visitors to the Trust are greeted courteously and promptly upon arrival at the Trusts reception desk.

  Responsibility for checking the location of patients using the Trusts computerised Patient Administration System

  Liaise with all departments within the Trust to resolve queries from visitors or telephone calls

  To generate and send out letters to patients inviting them to contact the department to make an outpatient appointment (Partial Booking), taking account of clinic rules, urgent/routine ratios, cancelled clinics and specified return timescales for review patients and if no response a letter is sent to the patients GP and the referral is cancelled from the Patient Administrative System to allow best utilization of outpatient clinic appointment slots and ensure no wasted capacity if patients do not respond.

  To receive telephone calls from patients in response to invitations sent by the department, booking appointments in accordance with consultant directives/clinic rules, timescales etc. and send Out Patient appointment letter to confirm these arrangements to allow patients to choose a date/time of appointment at their convenience (as per national guidance).

  To ensure that all appointments which require cancelling or amending are reallocated for patients.

  Booking of transport for patients, where medically necessary, for future attendance.

  Identifying potential overseas visitors on arrival for outpatient appointments or admissions and inform overseas patient interviewer to ensure appropriate action is taken.

  Ability to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota system to cover fracture clinics and additional ad hoc clinics.

  To ensure that patients calling the Reception Departments are dealt with in a prompt, responsive and courteous manner at all times in order that patients are satisfied with the service provided by the Reception Team to ensure the Trust is portrayed in a positive manner.

  To liaise effectively with patients, general practitioners, hospital staff and other professional bodies to ensure the smooth running of the department.

  Collate and report weekly any patients who cannot be booked within timescale per specialty.

  To ensure patient satisfaction and confidentiality is maintained throughout.

  To deal with distressed, abusive and/or complaining customers face to face and via the telephone.

  Ensure all patients are provided with the family and friends questionnaire.

  To provide a service to patients and secretaries regarding requests/queries.

  To have a flexible approach to the department demands and to assist where appropriate in the provision of cover for other colleagues during sickness and holidays.

  To assist supervisor in the mentorship, training and development of new members of staff.

  Able to work under pressure both supervised and unsupervised carrying out duties in accordance with departments Policies and Procedures ensuring quality standards are adhered to.

  Ensure all clinic attendances are completed on the Trust PAS System ensuring accurate recording or attendance outcome to facilitate tracking of 18 week RTT pathway.

  Record any day case activity which takes place in an outpatient setting on the Trust PAS system to facilitate tracking of 18 week RTT pathway.

  Ensure all procedures undertaken in outpatient clinic are accurately recorded to maximise income to the Trust.

  Ensure all demographic information is collected and updated.

  Manage day case waiting lists.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  Responsible for the reception of patients and visitors to the Outpatients Department and all reception duties concerned e.g. sorting post / filing / stock monitoring / photocopying / delivery checks.

  Responsible for the timely and accurate clinic management of appointments & waiting list on the Patient Administration System, implement time surveys on the waiting times of clinics as required and have a basic knowledge of medical terminology to allow further appointments to be arranged

  Responsible for registering new patients on the computerised Patient Administration System ensuring data is retrieved and recorded accurately as the information is fed to other systems within the hospital.

  Ensure patients, relatives; employers of and visitors to the Trust are greeted courteously and promptly upon arrival at the Trusts reception desk.

  Responsibility for checking the location of patients using the Trusts computerised Patient Administration System

  Liaise with all departments within the Trust to resolve queries from visitors or telephone calls

  To generate and send out letters to patients inviting them to contact the department to make an outpatient appointment (Partial Booking), taking account of clinic rules, urgent/routine ratios, cancelled clinics and specified return timescales for review patients and if no response a letter is sent to the patients GP and the referral is cancelled from the Patient Administrative System to allow best utilization of outpatient clinic appointment slots and ensure no wasted capacity if patients do not respond.

  To receive telephone calls from patients in response to invitations sent by the department, booking appointments in accordance with consultant directives/clinic rules, timescales etc. and send Out Patient appointment letter to confirm these arrangements to allow patients to choose a date/time of appointment at their convenience (as per national guidance).

  To ensure that all appointments which require cancelling or amending are reallocated for patients.

  Booking of transport for patients, where medically necessary, for future attendance.

  Identifying potential overseas visitors on arrival for outpatient appointments or admissions and inform overseas patient interviewer to ensure appropriate action is taken.

  Ability to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota system to cover fracture clinics and additional ad hoc clinics.

  To ensure that patients calling the Reception Departments are dealt with in a prompt, responsive and courteous manner at all times in order that patients are satisfied with the service provided by the Reception Team to ensure the Trust is portrayed in a positive manner.

  To liaise effectively with patients, general practitioners, hospital staff and other professional bodies to ensure the smooth running of the department.

  Collate and report weekly any patients who cannot be booked within timescale per specialty.

  To ensure patient satisfaction and confidentiality is maintained throughout.

  To deal with distressed, abusive and/or complaining customers face to face and via the telephone.

  Ensure all patients are provided with the family and friends questionnaire.

  To provide a service to patients and secretaries regarding requests/queries.

  To have a flexible approach to the department demands and to assist where appropriate in the provision of cover for other colleagues during sickness and holidays.

  To assist supervisor in the mentorship, training and development of new members of staff.

  Able to work under pressure both supervised and unsupervised carrying out duties in accordance with departments Policies and Procedures ensuring quality standards are adhered to.

  Ensure all clinic attendances are completed on the Trust PAS System ensuring accurate recording or attendance outcome to facilitate tracking of 18 week RTT pathway.

  Record any day case activity which takes place in an outpatient setting on the Trust PAS system to facilitate tracking of 18 week RTT pathway.

  Ensure all procedures undertaken in outpatient clinic are accurately recorded to maximise income to the Trust.

  Ensure all demographic information is collected and updated.

  Manage day case waiting lists.

  Person Specification

  Experience

  Essential

  • Working in a busy office environment

  Desirable

  • NHS Reception Experience

  Special Skills and Knowledge

  Essential

  • Knowledge of 18 week referral to treatment
  • Organisational skills
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to prioritise
  • Keyboard skills
  • Attention to detail

  Desirable

  • Knowledge of NHS Patient Administration systems
  • Microsoft Office skills
  • Knowledge of Overseas Visitor charging regulations

  Special Requirements

  Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Approachable and friendly
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
  • Willing to undertake any training
  • required for the post
  • Ability to travel across sites

  Desirable

  • Self-reliance

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Must have 5 GCSEs grades A-C or NVQ Level 2 in Business & Administration or Customer Care or equivalent experience

  Person Specification

  Experience

  Essential

  • Working in a busy office environment

  Desirable

  • NHS Reception Experience

  Special Skills and Knowledge

  Essential

  • Knowledge of 18 week referral to treatment
  • Organisational skills
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to prioritise
  • Keyboard skills
  • Attention to detail

  Desirable

  • Knowledge of NHS Patient Administration systems
  • Microsoft Office skills
  • Knowledge of Overseas Visitor charging regulations

  Special Requirements

  Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Approachable and friendly
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
  • Willing to undertake any training
  • required for the post
  • Ability to travel across sites

  Desirable

  • Self-reliance

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Must have 5 GCSEs grades A-C or NVQ Level 2 in Business & Administration or Customer Care or equivalent experience

  Employer details

  Employer name

  County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Bishop Auckland General Hospital

  Cockton Hill Road

  Bishop Auckland

  County Durham

  DL14 6AD

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Bishop Auckland General Hospital

  Cockton Hill Road

  Bishop Auckland

  County Durham

  DL14 6AD

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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