Apprentice Medical Receptionist/Care Navigator

Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Apprentice Receptionist at Bridge End Surgery. This is an excellent opportunity to progress and grow within the practice for the right candidate who is enthusiastic and willing to learn new skills. The successful candidate will join a friendly and professional team.

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, and will be worked between 8.00am and 6.30pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 31 August 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Ensure an effective and efficient reception service is provided to patients and any other visitors to the Practice.
• Deal with all general enquiries, explain procedures and make new and follow-up appointments.
• Using your own judgment and communication skills to ensure patients with no prior appointment but who need urgent consultation are seen in a logical and non-disruptive manner.
• Explain Practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover, and ensure procedures are completed.
• Receive and make telephone calls as required. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery.
• Enter requests for home visits into the clinical system, ensuring careful recording of all relevant details and where necessary, refer to the On Call Doctor.
• Action repeat prescription requests and ensure that they are ready for collection by the patient/pharmacy within 48 hours, in line with Practice protocol.
• Take action on clinicians’ requests for further information/patient contact information, etc. (including computerised practice notes), ensuring completion of all associated paperwork.
• Advise patients of relevant charges for private (non-general medical services) services, accept payment and issue receipts for the same.
• Prepare clinical rooms for surgeries, supply prescription forms and record numbers in use and ensure adequate supplies of consumables (including bottles, couch rolls, test request forms, etc.)
• Process incoming and outgoing mail according to practice protocol.
• Record actions taken in the patient record where appropriate or in accordance with practice protocols.

Any other administrative duties as necessitated by the needs of the practice.

Where you'll work

BRIDGE END SURGERY
CHESTER LE STREET
CO DURHAM
DH3 3SL

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

ACCESS TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

What you'll learn

• Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
• Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
• Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
• Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
• Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
• Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
• Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Training schedule

The employer will fully support the candidate throughout the apprenticeship with a view to long-term employment on completion of the apprenticeship. 

More training information

Training delivered by Access Training through a mixture of projects, training workshops and one-to-one support. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Punctual
• Flexible way of working
• Proactive
• Reliable
• Enthusiastic
• Keen to learn

Other requirements

Will be required to observe health & safety guidelines at all times.

Applicants will need to complete a DBS check.

Probationary period applies.