Experienced GP Receptionist

**Experienced GP Receptionist**

**University of Salford Health Centre**

We are looking for a friendly, organised and customer-focused experienced GP Receptionist to join our team at the University of Salford Health Centre.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a busy, student-focused GP practice located on the University of Salford campus. As the first point of contact for our patients, you will play a key role in providing a welcoming, efficient and compassionate service to students accessing healthcare during their time at university.

**Essential Experience – Please Read Before Applying**

Due to the requirements of this role, applicants must have:

– A minimum of 12 months’ practical experience working as a receptionist within a UK GP practice.
– Practical working experience of EMIS Web within a GP practice.

These are essential requirements for the position because the successful candidate will need to have an established understanding of GP reception processes and be able to use EMIS Web confidently within a busy practice environment.

Your CV must clearly demonstrate your GP practice reception experience, including your job title, employer and dates of employment, together with your experience of using EMIS Web.

Applicants whose CV does not demonstrate the essential GP practice reception and EMIS Web experience required for the position will not be shortlisted.

**About Us**

The University of Salford Health Centre is a dedicated GP practice located on the University of Salford campus, providing NHS primary care services to students studying at the university.

We understand that moving away from home and balancing university life can be challenging, so we pride ourselves on offering accessible, supportive and high-quality healthcare in a welcoming environment.

Our experienced multidisciplinary team works closely together to ensure students receive professional and compassionate care tailored to their individual needs.

In addition to providing day-to-day healthcare services, we are actively involved in university life. Throughout the academic year, we attend student registration, enrolment, welcome and promotional events across campus, promoting our services and helping new students register with the practice.

As a Receptionist, you will have the opportunity to represent the practice at these events, welcoming students and helping them access healthcare from the beginning of their university journey.

You will work alongside GPs, nurses, healthcare professionals, care coordinators and administrative staff who are committed to providing a high-quality patient experience.

**The Role**

As an experienced GP Receptionist, you will be the face and voice of the practice, providing a professional, welcoming and compassionate service to students, visitors and healthcare professionals while supporting the smooth day-to-day running of the Health Centre.

Our student population is diverse, and for some students this may be their first experience of independently accessing NHS healthcare.

You will therefore need to communicate clearly, sensitively and without judgement and be confident supporting patients to navigate GP and wider NHS services.

Because of the nature of this vacancy, we require someone who already understands the day-to-day operation of a GP reception environment and is confident using EMIS Web.

Key ResponsibilitiesPatient Services

– Welcome patients and visitors in a friendly, professional and compassionate manner.
– Answer telephone calls promptly and deal with enquiries courteously, efficiently and confidentially.
– Recognise when patients may be anxious, distressed or vulnerable and respond with empathy and sensitivity.
– Book, amend and cancel appointments using EMIS Web, ensuring the appointment system is managed effectively.
– Support patients to access the most appropriate service in accordance with practice care-navigation and signposting procedures.
– Provide appropriate non-clinical information to patients, including information about appointments and practice services.
– Support patients to access online and digital practice services.
– Arrange interpreter services where required.
– Respond to patient enquiries or direct them to the appropriate member of the clinical or administrative team.
– Recognise when a patient request or information requires escalation to a clinician or senior member of staff.
– Communicate professionally and sensitively with patients who may be frustrated, upset or distressed.
– Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.

**Administrative Duties**

– Complete all EMIS tasks allocated to the reception team accurately and within agreed timescales.
– Register new patients and maintain accurate electronic patient records.
– Update patient details, including changes of address, telephone numbers and other contact information.
– Process repeat prescription requests in accordance with practice policies and procedures.
– Scan and electronically file documents using established practice workflows.
– Manage incoming emails and electronic communications promptly and efficiently.
– Undertake general administrative duties to support the smooth running of the practice.
– Maintain accurate electronic patient records in accordance with practice procedures.
– Handle confidential patient information appropriately at all times.

**Care Navigation and Patient Support**

– Support patients to access the most appropriate member of the practice or wider healthcare team.
– Signpost patients to appropriate clinical, community and support services in accordance with practice procedures.
– Assist students who may be unfamiliar with how to access NHS primary care services.
– Explain practice processes and services clearly and appropriately.
– Recognise situations requiring urgent clinical attention and follow established practice escalation procedures.
– Support patients who may require additional assistance to access services.

**Practice Support**

– Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of practice policies, procedures and protocols.
– Develop and maintain a good working knowledge of the PATCHS online consultation platform and support patients in using the service.
– Complete all mandatory training and participate in ongoing learning and development.
– Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with UK GDPR, NHS information governance and practice policies.
– Follow practice procedures relating to safeguarding, chaperoning, complaints, significant events and patient safety.
– Keep the reception area, waiting room, noticeboards, leaflet displays and workstation clean, tidy and welcoming.
– Ensure consulting rooms and reception areas are appropriately stocked with stationery and supplies where required.
– Assist with maintaining the security of the practice, including opening and closing procedures where required.
– Represent the practice professionally at all times.

**University Events and Engagement**

An important part of the role is supporting the Health Centre’s involvement in the wider University community.

The postholder will:

– Represent the practice at student registration and enrolment events.
– Attend welcome and promotional events across the University campus as required.
– Help new students understand how to register with and access the GP practice.
– Promote the services available through the Health Centre.
– Support health-promotion activities and campaigns throughout the academic year.
– Provide a friendly and approachable practice presence at University events.

**Cross-Site Working**

The University of Salford Health Centre operates alongside Langworthy Medical Practice.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

– Work primarily at the University of Salford Health Centre.
– Work at Langworthy Medical Practice when required to meet the needs of the service.
– Work collaboratively with colleagues across both practice sites.
– Provide reception and administrative cover across the organisation where reasonably required.

**About You**

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, approachable, professional and passionate about providing an excellent patient experience.

You should already understand the demands and responsibilities of working on reception within a GP practice and be confident working within a busy primary care environment.

**Essential Experience**

Applicants must demonstrate:

– A minimum of 12 months’ practical experience working specifically as a receptionist within a UK GP practice.
– Practical working experience of EMIS Web within a GP practice.
– Experience using EMIS Web to book, amend and manage patient appointments.
– Experience managing face-to-face and telephone patient enquiries within general practice.
– Experience handling confidential patient information.
– Experience following GP practice policies, procedures and protocols.
– Experience working alongside GPs, nurses and other members of a primary care team.
– Experience managing competing priorities within a busy GP reception environment.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

– Good working knowledge of EMIS Web.
– Good understanding of GP practice reception processes.
– Understanding of care navigation and patient signposting.
– Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
– Excellent interpersonal and patient-service skills.
– Caring, compassionate and professional manner.
– Understanding of patient confidentiality and information governance.
– Awareness of safeguarding responsibilities within primary care.
– Strong organisational and time-management skills.
– Excellent attention to detail.
– Good IT, keyboard and data-entry skills.
– Ability to prioritise workload effectively.
– Ability to remain calm and professional within a busy environment.
– Ability to communicate effectively with patients from a wide range of backgrounds.
– Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to the wider practice team.
– Ability to follow policies, procedures and instructions accurately.
– Flexible and reliable approach to work.
– Commitment to equality, diversity and treating patients with dignity and respect.
– Flexibility to work shifts between 7:45am and 6:30pm, Monday to Friday, in accordance with the practice rota.
– Willingness to work across both practice sites when required.

Desirable

– Experience using PATCHS or another online consultation platform.
– Experience working with students or young adults.
– Experience supporting new patient registrations.
– Experience participating in health-promotion, registration or community events.
– Knowledge of local primary care, community and support services.

**What We Offer**

– A supportive, friendly and welcoming working environment.
– Full practice induction.
– Ongoing training and professional development.
– NHS Pension Scheme, where applicable.
– Access to staff wellbeing support.
– Free flu vaccination.
– Free on-site parking.
– Excellent public transport links.
– The opportunity to work in a vibrant university environment.
– The opportunity to make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of university students.

**Why Join Us?**

Working at the University of Salford Health Centre is a rewarding opportunity to support a diverse student community during an important stage of their lives.

No two days are the same, and you will become part of a close-knit and supportive team committed to providing high-quality patient care.

Whether you are welcoming students at reception, helping them navigate healthcare services, supporting them to access the appropriate member of the healthcare team or representing the practice at University events, you will play an important role in ensuring every patient receives a positive experience.

We are looking for an experienced GP Receptionist who can bring their existing general practice knowledge and EMIS Web experience to our team.

**How to Apply**

Please submit your CV together with a short covering letter explaining why you would be suitable for the position.

Your CV must clearly show:

– The GP practice(s) where you have worked.
– Your job title.
– Your dates of employment.
– Your GP reception responsibilities.
– Your experience of using EMIS Web.

Applications that do not demonstrate these essential requirements will not be shortlisted.

**Pre-Employment Requirements**

Employment will be subject to satisfactory references, evidence of the right to work in the UK and any other pre-employment checks applicable to the role.

**Registered Patients**

Applicants who are currently registered as patients with University of Salford Health Centre or Langworthy Medical Practice are welcome to apply and will be considered against the same recruitment criteria as other applicants.

Due to the nature of the role, access to confidential patient information and the need to maintain appropriate professional boundaries, if a successful applicant is currently registered with either practice, they will be required to register with an alternative GP practice before commencing employment.

This requirement is intended to support appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.

**Equality, Diversity and Inclusion**

The University of Salford Health Centre is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

All applicants will be assessed consistently against the essential and desirable criteria for the role.

Pay: £12.81 per hour

Expected hours: 30.0 per week

Benefits:

– Company pension
– Employee discount
– Free flu jabs
– Free parking
– On-site parking

Experience:

– Emis Web: 1 year (required)
– being a GP receptionist within a GP practice : 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person