Thank you for your interest in this vacancy!
We highly recommend reading our Tips on how to apply page to give you an insight on how applications are scored & shortlisted by our Recruiting Managers. These tips have been provided to give you a better chance of being shortlisted for our vacancies.
Please note that if you apply for a position with North Bristol NHS Trust, you may be contacted via TRAC or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your TRAC Account and email accounts including junk and spam folders.
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.
Job Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Medicine Division on Gate 12, Cardiac Investigations Unit.
This is a front of house role within the unit, working closely with both clinical and admin colleagues to ensure our patients receive the highest standard of care.
The post holder will be responsible for booking/rescheduling all echo tests in line with Government Access Targets and local guidelines, ensuring patients are dated within the diagnostic and Referral to Treatment waiting times. You will be required to actively co-ordinate and monitor the reduction of waiting times.
There is a requirement to use local electronic patient systems for bookings, such as CRIS and Careflow, and training will be provided. Procedures will need to be followed in relation to booking in and checking out patients for all tests, administering the DNA process and locating patient notes from around the hospital site.
Another key aspect of the role will be to provide an efficient and responsive reception service to patients attending for Cardiac tests and clinics. You will be required to deal with patients, relatives and staff in a professional and sympathetic manner, face to face and over the telephone.
Main duties of the job
- To be the main point of contact as receptionist on the Cardiac Investigations Unit.
- To welcome patients, staff and visitors in a polite and friendly manner, dealing with enquiries in an efficient and timely fashion.
- To have an overview of the outstanding position of clinics/patients in attendance, throughout the day.
- To respond promptly and professionally to internal and external telephone enquiries, ensuring accurate information is recorded and disseminated to all parties.
- To monitor and maintain on a daily basis the list of patients requiring echo tests, ensuring the list is kept up to date.
- To ensure patients are booked in chronological/clinical priority order prior to their breach date, in line with the Patient Access Policy and Government Targets [training will be given].
- To use the hospital computer systems to undertake all processes required for the patients’ outpatient visit and to arrange follow-up outpatient appointments in accordance with the booking protocols.
- To comply with Private Patient protocols.
- To maintain a safe environment for patients and staff, raising concerns where appropriate.
- To ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all times.
- To contribute to own personal development and attend mandatory and other training relevant to the role.
- To carry out other reasonable duties, appropriate to the grade, as agreed between the post holder and Support Manager.
Working for our organisation
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Reception
- To be the main point of contact as receptionist on the Cardiac Investigations Unit.
- To welcome patients, staff and visitors in a polite and friendly manner, dealing with enquiries in an efficient and timely fashion.
- To have an overview of the outstanding position of clinics/patients in attendance throughout the day.
- To respond promptly and professionally to internal and external telephone enquiries, ensuring accurate information is recorded and disseminated to all parties.
- To regularly check and action the answerphone messages.
- To alert and liaise directly with the appropriate physiologist about telephone calls escalating inpatient tests.
- To liaise with patients, relatives, General Practitioners, clinical and administrative staff over the telephone, face to face and in written correspondence.
- To have effective communication in relation to the status of patient appointments, in particular with Medical Secretaries and clinicians within Cardiology.
- To check-in patients for Cardiac appointments.
- To ensure that all clinics are outcomed [cashed-up] at the end of the working day.
- To clear up clinic notes and clinic lists daily, sending to the relevant departments for processing/typing in a timely fashion.
- To post test results to internal and external requestors promptly, making checks for further address information as required.
- To arrange/chase appropriate ambulance or other transport for patients attending appointments in line with the Trust protocol.
- To print clinic lists and labels as required.
Booking
- To monitor and maintain daily the list of patients requiring echo tests, ensuring the list is kept up to date.
- To ensure patients are booked in chronological/clinical priority order prior to their breach date, in line with the Patient Access Policy and Government Targets [training will be given].
- To book routine, urgent and planned echo appointments, taking an overview and maximising appointment slots for both elective and discharged inpatients, escalating if the slots are insufficient against the number of patients awaiting appointments.
- To liaise with substantive/locum clinicians in relation to echo clinic resource to ensure sufficient capacity.
- To have a robust patient cancellation process, returning to GP care where appropriate.
- To book appointments for patients who attend Cardiology clinics and require on-the-day Exercise Treadmill and Holter Monitor tests.
- To use the hospital computer systems to undertake all processes required for the patients’ outpatient visit and to arrange follow-up outpatient appointments in accordance with the booking protocols.
- To ensure vital medical information/special needs are made known to the appropriate clinicians.
- To comply with Private Patient protocols.
Other
- To meet and have regular contact with the Waiting List Co-ordinator, Support Manager and liaise with the Cardiac Investigations Unit Manager.
- To maintain a safe environment for patients and staff, raising concerns where appropriate.
- To manage own annual leave to ensure sufficient notice to clinical staff of non-cover of reception/booking, and that Medical Secretaries are informed of absence.
- To ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all times.
- To maintain the quality of own workload, adapting own practice in accordance with service needs and demands, offering suggestions for improvement of services.
- To contribute to own personal development and attend mandatory and other training relevant to the role.
- To carry out other reasonable duties, appropriate to the grade, as agreed between the post holder and the Support Manager.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Minimum three GCSE/O'level qualifications, to include English Language and Mathematics.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of administrative and clerical practices and processes. Minimum two years administrative experience.
- Must have used a computerised patient administration system or company database. Willingness to learn new IT skills and technology.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of medical terminology
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Must be able to demonstrate organisation and prioritisation skills
- Demonstrate working to tight deadlines/under pressure
Desirable criteria
- Able to work independently in own role, showing initiative but understanding when to seek appropriate guidance
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- Excellent written skills including good English grammar
Desirable criteria
- To be able to maintain good working relationships within own team and wider hospital staff groups/departments
If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.
Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.
If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel 0117 414 1151.
North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.
At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.
Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.
