Job Summary
The Dental Service provides a wide range of treatments to a diverse group of people; therefore good interpersonal skills are required to fulfil this frontline role.
You will be part of a team of Receptionists, spanning five clinics, including Wisbech, Ely, Peterborough and Huntingdon, so good communication and teamwork skills are vital.
You must possess excellent communication and people skills as some patients may present with complex needs or have a language barrier.
This is an extremely busy service offering a wide range of treatments to a diverse group of people. We, fundamentally, offer urgent care triage/treatment to those in need but our clinics include Additional Needs Dentistry and Minor Oral Surgery, thus good time management skills are imperative.
This is a full time role.
08:00-18:00 Monday - Thursday, with two days starting at 07:45.
'Should we receive a high number of applications we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 18th November 2025'.
Main duties of the job
* Maintain a professional and organised approach when greeting and attending to patients and visitors.
* Answer telephone calls including the emergency line and book appointments across five clinics.
* Produce and maintain patient files in a timely manner with attention to detail.
* Book and reschedule diaries often at short notice; cancel and reschedule clinics as required.
* Undertake all administrative tasks in a timely and accurate manner.
Job responsibilities
* Booking urgent care telephone triage appointments and treatment appointments where appropriate.
* Managing the waiting room, including greeting patients and advising them of any excessive delays.
* Re‑booking additional needs appointments or minor oral surgery appointments.
* Maintain the appointment system to ensure that surgery time is utilised appropriately.
* Distribute post accordingly.
* Record referral/communication correspondence in the patients' notes and act accordingly.
* File all letters/correspondence in the appropriate place.
* Accurately prepare and maintain patient records.
* Prioritise workload and work proactively with the team to meet deadlines.
* Maintain administrative systems to ensure good working practice.
* Use judgement and analytical skills to anticipate the needs of the patient.
* Maintain the reception area.
* Make appointments and take telephone calls, interpreting as necessary the needs of both patients and clinicians to enable situations to be dealt with promptly and efficiently.
* Provide emotional support to patients who require it and manage anxiety that may manifest as aggression.
* Knowledge of computer use is essential for input of patient data, payment transactions and other services.
* Collection of charges as appropriate; cashing up, banking, recording all necessary details.
* Occasionally work independently managing the department administration and giving appropriate advice when necessary.
* Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
* Maintain own professional development and participate in appraisal and Key Staff Feedback (KSF) process.
* Compliance with NHS code of conduct.
* Attend appropriate meetings.
* Encourage and motivate other team members; support others by sharing skills and knowledge of the job.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training – Essential
* GCSE English and Maths Grade C and above.
Experience – Essential
* Reception/Customer Care experience.
* Experience of working with the general public.
* Good communication skills both verbal and written.
* Experience of answering telephone calls in a busy high volume call environment.
* Post Holder must have a degree of experience in the field of Administration.
Desirable
* Post holder must have sound knowledge and experience of working within an NHS practice/organisation.
Knowledge and Skills – Essential
* Effectively prioritises and co‑ordinates own work.
* Computer literate with excellent keyboard skills or experience with Microsoft packages.
* Work flexibly as part of a team.
* Good time management.
Self‑awareness – Essential
* Has a realistic knowledge of personal strengths and areas for development.
* Can demonstrate flexibility of approach.
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.
Employer details
Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust
Cambridge Dental Access Centre, Brookfield's, Seymour Street, Cambridge, CB1 3DQ
Website: https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/careers
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