Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our team of Cardiac Secretaries for 37.5 hours at Worthing General Hospital.
The post holder will be enthusiastic and proactive and will be part of a team committed to providing a high level of secretarial support to the clinical team.
The post holder will support Consultant Cardiologists plus their Registrars.
You should have secretarial experience, with a good knowledge of medical terminology, excellent IT skills; the ability to work with people at all levels, together with excellent organisational and communication skills, both verbal and written. You will be required to work on your own and as part of a team. You will be required to coach/train band 2 clerical assistants and band 3 support secretaries within your individual team.
A willingness to learn and develop skills will be positively encouraged. You will be part of an enthusiastic team, who will play an instrumental part in the smooth running of the department.
This role would suit anyone wishing to take the next step in their career, gaining excellent secretarial experience.
Main duties of the job
You will need excellent time management skills, the ability to organise and prioritise work along with an understanding of, and commitment to, patient confidentiality.
1. To carry out the audio-typing of clinic letters and other correspondence from the electronic dictation system (BigHand) using Office Automation Letter templates, attaching letters to email or putting in tray for Consultant to check, including amending and sending letters, when approved/signed on a timely basis.
2. To use CareFlow to ensure that patients have their next appointment within the timeline stipulated in the clinic letter and to book follow-up if not already arranged. If a scan is requested in the clinic letter, check CRIS to ensure this has been requested by consultant.
3. Ensure patients are appropriately discharged from the service and/or on the correct pathways from an RTT perspective.
4. 'Cash up' - outcome clinical appointments.
5. When referrals received from other departments, Hospitals or GPs, log on CareFlow. Pass referral to relevant Consultant to triage. Book patient into the relevant clinic, as directed by the Consultants. Referrals are sometimes received from the CNS or an MDT Co-ordinator.
6. To cancel/re-book appointments as requested by the Consultants, CNS’s or patient.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
7. Typing of clinic letters as appropriate within the speciality and other correspondence from audio dictation (Bighand) using Microsoft Word.
8. Prioritising work according to changing demands.
9. Understand and manipulate data in Excel Spreadsheets for information purposes.
10. Presenting pathology, laboratory and x-ray reports together with relevant case notes to Consultant/s or medical staff, and filing/scanning copies of letters and reports in medical case notes, particularly in time for a forthcoming appointment.
11. Preparation of outpatient clinics
12. To organise stationery requirements and taking delivery of departmental stationery including putting stock away in appropriate place.
13. To ensure that all filing is carried out on a regular and timely basis.
14. Upload external letters and correspondence onto Evolve paper-light system as required.
15. To use and obtain information from EVOLVE paper-light system.
16. To ensure that case notes are tidy with all correspondence filed appropriately.
17. To use and obtain information from the Patient Administration System (PAS) and obtain case notes via the tracking system.
18. To maintain good communications with the Consultant/s, their supporting staff and other staff of the department, as well as patients and members of the public.
19. Dealing with telephone enquiries from patients, relatives, general practitioners, other departments within the Trust/PCT and other hospitals.
20. In the absence of the relevant consultant/s, medical or nursing team member, ensure that appropriate messages are taken or information escalated where appropriate to the clinical director or nominated deputy/ Manager.
21. To liaise with other secretarial staff particularly within the same directorate and to ensure that cover arrangements are facilitated by working as a team member.
22. To liaise with internal and external professionals and departments and the general public as and when required, in a friendly, professional and courteous manner
23. To deal with general enquiries in an appropriate and sensitive manner as efficiently as possible, either in person, over the telephone or in writing from staff, patients and the general public.
24. To liaise with other Trust staff as necessary within the hospital and with other external organisations.
25. Providing cover for colleagues’ annual leave and sickness, as required and as directed by the Lead Medical Secretary.
26. To attend regular team meetings/huddles.
27. To ensure that an up-to-date detailed summary document outlining details and duties of individuals’ post is maintained at all times and available for use for staff who may have to provide cover in periods of absence.
28. Undertaking statutory training courses as required by the Trust and to undertake any other relevant training deemed necessary by the Lead Medical Secretary to perform the job to an acceptable standard.
29. Participate in the Trust Individual Performance Review (IPR) process on at least an annual basis
30. To adhere to NHS Trust and Department procedures and policies
Person specification
•Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook experience
Essential criteria
31. Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook experience
32. Audio typist - Typing qualification Pitman/RSA 1-2
33. Excellent telephone skills - experience of talking to patients on the telephone & voicemail messages
34. Ability to work as a team/job share and work well with others - delegate workloads
35. Able to support with training band 3 support secretaries - coaching on a regular basis
36. Excellent communication skills including use of email
37. English GCSE A-C
Desirable criteria
38. RSA 3 or equivalent
39. Knowledge of Careflow including booking appointments / pending
40. Knowledge of EVOLVE including uploading documents
41. Medical terminology - digital dictations
42. Knowledge of Docman
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
43. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to
44. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues