UCC Receptionist at The Primary Care Alliance CIC in READING
About the role
Job summary
Join our dynamic urgent care team as a Receptionist and Administrator, where you'll be the welcoming and efficient organiser that keeps our center running smoothly. In this vital role, you will handle patient check-ins, manage appointment scheduling, and ensure seamless communication between patients and healthcare providers.
Your energetic approach will help create a welcoming environment while maintaining accurate administrative records. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-quality urgent care services in a fast-paced setting.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a rapidly growing GP-led provider organisation at a pivotal point in its development.
Main duties of the job The post holder will be responsible for administering the Urgent Care Centre (UCC) service located in the Royal Berkshire Hospital, including registering patients, managing the appointment book, coordinating with clinicians, management, and other administrative staff to ensure the effective running of the service.
The post holder will be familiar with EMIS, or another clinical IT systems used in NHS primary care, although additional training will be provided.
The post holder will answer telephone calls from patients, staff, and external providers (e.g. 111, emergency department (ED) or other hospital departments), respond to queries, provide information, and communicate about the UCC service in a clear, professional, and effective manner.
The post holder will ensure that administrative and clerical duties are carried out according to the relevant policies, procedures, and guidelines. The post holder may be required to provide administrative support with other tasks in the areas of governance and reporting, for example by completing data entry tasks.
Excellent customer service is key to this role to build effective working relationships and ensure a good patient experience.
About us
The Primary Care Alliance CIC is a GP-led provider organisation delivering high quality primary care services at scale across Berkshire West.
Representing 36 member practices serving a population of over 580,000 residents, the Alliance works collaboratively with general practice, Primary Care Networks, NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) to design, mobilise and deliver high-quality healthcare closer to home.
Our ambition is to strengthen primary care through collaboration, innovation and operational excellence. Over the next five years the Alliance intends to significantly expand its portfolio of commissioned services, supporting the delivery of neighbourhood health, integrated care and innovative models of primary care across Berkshire West.
Our current portfolio includes the Reading Urgent Care Centre, Women's Health Hub, Lipid Optimisation Programme and Practice Resilience services, with an ambitious programme of growth including Same Day Access, proactive frailty services, neighbourhood health and future commissioned services.
As a Community Interest Company, we exist to improve health outcomes for our local population while supporting the sustainability of general practice across Berkshire West.
Job description
Job
responsibilities
The post holder will: Be a key member of the UCC service team, supporting the effective delivery of the service. Act as the first point of contact for patients arriving at the service, registering them in the clinical IT system (EMIS) and providing relevant information.
Be responsible for the shared mailbox during operational hours, responding or directing queries appropriately and professionally. Respond professionally to all queries or direct the query to another member of the team, as appropriate.
Keep accurate records of contacts with patients, whether in person or by telephone, updating patient records in EMIS with relevant information. Contact patients who have not arrived for their appointments. Create and send discharge summaries and other clinical documentation to patients own GP practices.
Make outbound calls to GP practices and other health professionals, providing relevant information to ensure seamless handover to other services. Complete data entry and other related administrative tasks, for example, completing incident reports and updating contact information, following the relevant processes and guidelines.
Escalate issues through appropriate channels, communicating clearly with clinicians and management to resolve problems in a timely and effective manner. Assisting with the preparation of audits and reports under the direction of the Admin Team Leader.
Provide cover for other members of the team where required, working flexibly to meet operational objectives. Supporting and attending team meetings as needed. Be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the organisation.
Any other task commensurate with the role as directed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths or equivalent Experience Essential Experience in an administrative, reception, healthcare or patient-facing role Excellent organisation, communication and follow-up skills Confident using IT systems, email and spreadsheets Ability to manage a busy workload and maintain accurate records Ability to communicate sensitively with patients, carers and professionals Desirable Experience in primary care, community services, frailty or remote monitoring Experience using EMIS or another clinical system Experience in primary care, urgent care, GP federations, hub-based services or community healthcare would be a strong advantage.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
