Medical Secretary Team Leader
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
Working Full time : 37.5 hours per week
You will contribute and commit to promoting a positive team-based attitude, striving for the highest standards of service in order to lead the secretarial team and deliver excellent secretarial support to the Department and Management Team. The post holder will be accountable to the Assistant Service Manager.
Main duties of the job
You will be expected to work with minimal supervision, exercising independent judgement and using your own initiative. This position ensures an excellent level of Data Quality is maintained when dealing with confidential information in a sensitive manner.The role requires you to be aware of patient and staff confidentiality at all times.
The list below is to outline the main duties involved; however this is subject to change and will vary within the given role. We ask all employees to be flexible in their role, to always ensure we are delivering Safe, Kind and Effective care.
Working for our organisation
The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:
- The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
- Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
- Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.
The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- NVQ 3 or equivalent
- GCSE standard (English) or equivalent
- RSA Typing III
- Audio/ Short hand typing qualification
- AMSPAR Medical Secretarial Diploma or equivalent
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria- Touch typist
- Recent and relevant secretarial experience
- Knowledge of full range of secretarial duties
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Packages
- Experience as a medical secretary in a healthcare setting
- Experience of first line management/supervision
- Knowledge/ experience of specific patient administration systems
- Knowledge of Medical Terminology
- Knowledge of NHS or other health/social care settings
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to problem-solve
- Excellent organisational skills
- Reliable and flexible
- Positive attitude
- Ability to cope well with change
- Able to communicate clearly and appropriately with people at varying levels
- Able to work under pressure within a multi-disciplinary team-based environment
- Ability to work both on own initiative and as part of a team
- Ability to work to a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
- A professional appearance and manner
- Willing to undergo further training or development
- Patient centred values
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 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.
Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.
The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK
For details regarding salary requirements of a skilled worker, please refer to the Skilled Worker Visa Immigration Salary List.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules
For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.
Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.Adult dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.