Thorpe Surgery has an opportunity for an enthusiastic and proactive care navigator to join our team on a part-time basis for 30 hours per week. Shifts vary from 8.00am - 2pm and 12.30pm - 6.30pm Monday to Friday. This is a maternity cover position only, on a fixed term contract for 8 months, starting at the beginning of February 2026. Since this post is a maternity cover role, it is temporary and time-limited. This means there is very little scope for a long induction or extensive training period. The successful candidate will need to: Quickly adapt to the role – Reception in a GP practice is fast-paced, requiring an immediate understanding of processes such as booking appointments, managing patient queries, handling prescriptions, and using clinical systems. Confidently use practice systems – Many GP surgeries use specific software (e.g., EMIS, SystmOne). Previous knowledge of such systems allows the new care navigator to start contributing almost straight away. Understand NHS and practice protocols – Care Navigators deal with sensitive information, confidentiality, safeguarding, and patient triage. Prior experience helps avoid errors that could impact patient safety. Work under pressure with accuracy – The role often involves dealing with anxious or unwell patients, prioritising urgent calls, and supporting clinical staff. Experience equips someone to manage these situations calmly and professionally. Minimise disruption to the team – Since this is maternity cover, the team needs someone who can “hit the ground running” to ensure continuity of service for patients and minimal additional workload for colleagues. The care navigator plays a pivotal role in the experience of patients at our practice, helping them to access the right services and dealing with their queries face-to-face, online and by telephone. The main responsibilities of the role include: Greeting and directing all patients. Making appointments. Answering queries and complaints from patients and outside agencies, signposting to the appropriate staff member as appropriate. Accepting, issuing and handing out prescriptions, letters, completed forms, specimen bottles, etc. Advising patients of practice procedures. Accurately maintaining patient medical records, photocopying, filing and scanning. Please note, previous applicants need not apply. About the Candidate General practice is a challenging environment that requires a calm and caring approach with the ability to work under pressure. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated team player who has patient experience, offers excellent communication skills, and has the following attributes: Ability to work in a polite, confidential and discreet manner, respecting patients and colleagues at all times. Experience of working with the general public, being sensitive and empathic in distressing situations. Ability to work as part of a team. Strong IT and administration skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Previous medical or healthcare receptionist experience is essential. EMIS web or SystemOne experience is essential. Some flexibility is required, as you will sometimes need to work additional or alternative hours to cover for colleagues. All applicants should ensure that they live within reasonable commuting distance. About Us Thorpe Surgery form part of Clacton PCN and have a list size of 8000. Our clinical system is Emis web. We offer all staff to join NHS pension scheme, Disclosure and Barring Service Check Please note 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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.