Medical Secretary
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 innovationOur 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
An opportunity has arisen within the Planned Division for a Medical Secretary. The post holder will work within the Trauma and Orthopaedics Team within The Countess of Chester Hospital. In this role the post holder will provide secretarial and administrative support to the Consultants and wider team.
We are looking for a highly motivated individual to provide a high standard of audio typing / clerical support. The successful candidate must be able to work using their own initiative, but also as part of a team.
Excellent communication and administrative skills are essential for this role, along with a keen eye for accuracy and detail. Organisational skills are also essential. Consultant diaries and associated clinical activity must be kept up to date to ensure the service we provide to our patients runs smoothly and efficiently.
A working knowledge of general office procedures and Microsoft packages is required, but full training will be given in the use of Medisec and EPR+ software. Knowledge of medical terminology also would be an advantage.
Main duties of the job- To provide a comprehensive secretarial service to the consultants as part of the secretarial team, managing a busy workload and shifting priorities.
- To deal with enquiries from patients, relatives, GP’s and hospital staff in an effective, timely and sensitive manner, answering queries and resolving problems appropriately while ensuring patient confidentiality is maintained at all times.
- To type clinic letters, referrals and other correspondence using digital dictation, prioritising urgent and Fast Track correspondence while also maintaining awareness of Trust targets for outpatient letters.
- To participate with the team in administering the Email Advice service, including logging activity within time limits and accurately recording clinical advice on the electronic patient record.
Working for our organisation
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:
- The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds
- Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility
- Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Trust employs over 6258 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 407,000. This includes 357,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.
The Trust is a busy district general hospital and in 2022/2023, there were more than 503,342 patient attendances (inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery. This is an increase of nearly 10,000 compared to the previous year when there were 494,387 patient attendances.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £27.50 (standard) or £55.50 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
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 Level 3 or equivalent
- GCSE Standard English or equivalent
- RSA Typing III
- Audio/Short Hand Typing Qualification
- AMSPAR Medical Secretarial Diploma or Equivalent
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria- Touch typist
- Recent secretarial experience
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Packages
- Experience as medical support secretary or medical audio typist
- Knowledge/ experience of specific patient administration systems
- Knowledge of Medical Terminology
- Knowledge of NHS or other health/social care settings
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.
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 is £27.50 (standard) or £54.50 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.
Overseas Candidates
The Department of Health and Social Care has released a new publication to support overseas candidates looking to work in health and care in the UK.
The new guidance provides information on the recruitment process that candidates should expect when applying for work in the UK. Please follow the below link: Applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Overseas candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a CoS for the post by assessing their circumstances against criteria specified on the Visas and immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.
From 6 April 2017, Tier 2 / skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, must 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.