Beckington Family Practice

Medical Secretary

The closing date is 01 December 2025

Job summary

We are a growing GP Practice with surgeries at Beckington and Frome and are strengthening our support team, recruiting for the following role:

Full-time/Part-Time Medical Secretary

Our existing team of Medical Secretaries provide support to our large team of GPs and to other clinicians & colleagues as necessary. The secretarial office is staffed from 8:00 to 16:30 Monday to Friday.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an experienced, highly motivated Medical Secretary with excellent communication skills, liaising with patients and clinicians. Absolute discretion when handling confidential information and the ability to prioritise is vital. Accurate computer keyboard skills and knowledge of MS Word, Excel and general IT competency is essential as we use a variety of specialist software. Knowledge of EMIS is an advantage. An important requirement is the willingness and flexibility to cover sickness absence and annual leave to provide continual cover for the Doctors. This is an interesting and challenging role that requires good organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail, working as part of a friendly and supportive practice team. The team of medical secretaries also provide support to the Practice Manager and colleagues. Experience in the role and knowledge of EMIS are preferable.

About us

Beckington Family Practice is a Partnership currently operating from two sites. The Practice cares for around 11,400 patients and has been approved for GP and medical student training. The Practice has a firm commitment to offer an excellent standard of care to its patients..

Details

Date posted

17 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

A2578-202511

Job locations

St Luke's Surgery

St Luke's Road

Beckington

Somerset

BA11 6SE


Enos Way

Frome

BA11 2FH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Title: Medical Secretary

Responsible to: Practice Manager and the Partners

Beckington Family Practice is a Partnership currently operating from two sites. The Practice cares for around 11,400 patients and has been approved for GP and medical student training. The Practice has a firm commitment to offer an excellent standard of care to its patients.

Job Summary

To be responsible for the provision of an efficient, comprehensive secretarial and administrative support service to the Practice.

To undertake these duties without direct supervision, working within broad procedural guidelines.

To ensure that total confidentiality is maintained in that no information about patients or other members of staff, either medical or personal, is disclosed to persons other than those employed by, or attached to, the Practice for which such information is relevant.

Good communications are extremely important within the Practice, with patients and with outside agencies.

Special Requirements for the post

Excellent communication skills

Ability to organise and prioritise own workload

Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense

Knowledge or willingness to learn use of clinical software (Emis Web, e-referrals)

Computer literacy (Windows, Word, Excel) and accurate keyboard skills

Understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality

Willingness to attend training courses from time to time

Key Responsibilities

To deal with patient enquiries, exercising initiative with regard to action necessary, sending tasks etc (all clinical queries are referred to clinical staff)

To prioritise all correspondence whether from workflow task, email, Accurx or other, often to strict deadlines.

Typing patient referral letters from workflow tasks, templates or generating them from consultations. Code all referrals in the clinical system

Typing miscellaneous correspondence, reports, minutes of meetings etc as required.

To use Word software for any miscellaneous typing as required

To use Excel spreadsheets as necessary

To use a variety of specialist software

To communicate with and liaise between all staff departments as necessary

To help and support colleagues within your team, including cover for annual leave and sickness

To use the computer on a daily basis to type and save all correspondence using the Practice clinical system, EMIS Web medical information system

Attending and supporting various practice meetings such as Clincial Governance, Safeguarding, and Gold Standards Framework meetings and taking minutes as required.

Dealing with emails and actioning appropriately

Take messages when appropriate

Deal with any telephone enquiries and always answer the telephone with a polite and professional manner

Ensure all urgent/2 week wait referrals are processed in a timely manner

Perform any reasonable administrative tasks as requested

To assist reception in the cancellation of surgeries due to sickness etc by contacting patients and to re-appoint either by text, letter or telephone if required.

To sort and distribute incoming mail appropriately

File any correspondence as required

Photocopying as required

Dealing with patient queries regarding correspondence, referrals and pathology results.

Taking messages for GPs

Liaison with the Patient participation group

Collation of Information

Support the Practice team in achievement of keeping medical records updated by ensuring the following:

Collation of patient information using Emis Web medical information system

Maintaining quality and accuracy of all data input

Comply with Data Protection Act and GDPR

Working Environment

Carry out routine checks to ensure your work station is clean and tidy at the start and end of your shift

Ensure all equipment in your work station is operational and up to date and report any issues to your line manager

Ensure that confidential patient information is stored and handled according to protocol and report any concerns to your line manager

Health & Safety

Assist in promoting and maintaining your own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health and Safety policy.

Ensure that any hazards in your working area are reported immediately to your line manager

Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines

Demonstrate due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Confidentiality

Ensure patient and Practice information is kept confidential and secure at all times, in accordance with the Information Security and Confidentiality protocols

Performance/Professional Development

To participate in training sessions to ensure administrative, clinical and computer skills are kept up to date with current technology and practice

To participate in regular appraisal meetings

To participate in regular team meetings

Equality & Diversity

To support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues according to Practice protocol

Working with Patients

To work in partnership with our patients to help them achieve better health outcomes

To offer a polite, friendly and efficient level of communication service to all our patients

Dignity and Respect

To treat patients, colleagues and visitors with dignity and respect at all times

Feedback

To listen to feedback from patients and colleagues whether this be a complaint, comment or compliment and if it cannot be dealt with immediately, ensure it is reported immediately to the Practice Manager

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

To work within the guidelines set by CQC to ensure that the Practice is safe, efficient and provides the best possible care for patients

To offer suggestions to the Partners on how we can improve, progress and develop all processes relating to CQC

Any Other Duties

Any other duties as may be determined by the Practice Manager and Partners

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Title: Medical Secretary

Responsible to: Practice Manager and the Partners

Beckington Family Practice is a Partnership currently operating from two sites. The Practice cares for around 11,400 patients and has been approved for GP and medical student training. The Practice has a firm commitment to offer an excellent standard of care to its patients.

Job Summary

To be responsible for the provision of an efficient, comprehensive secretarial and administrative support service to the Practice.

To undertake these duties without direct supervision, working within broad procedural guidelines.

To ensure that total confidentiality is maintained in that no information about patients or other members of staff, either medical or personal, is disclosed to persons other than those employed by, or attached to, the Practice for which such information is relevant.

Good communications are extremely important within the Practice, with patients and with outside agencies.

Special Requirements for the post

Excellent communication skills

Ability to organise and prioritise own workload

Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense

Knowledge or willingness to learn use of clinical software (Emis Web, e-referrals)

Computer literacy (Windows, Word, Excel) and accurate keyboard skills

Understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality

Willingness to attend training courses from time to time

Key Responsibilities

To deal with patient enquiries, exercising initiative with regard to action necessary, sending tasks etc (all clinical queries are referred to clinical staff)

To prioritise all correspondence whether from workflow task, email, Accurx or other, often to strict deadlines.

Typing patient referral letters from workflow tasks, templates or generating them from consultations. Code all referrals in the clinical system

Typing miscellaneous correspondence, reports, minutes of meetings etc as required.

To use Word software for any miscellaneous typing as required

To use Excel spreadsheets as necessary

To use a variety of specialist software

To communicate with and liaise between all staff departments as necessary

To help and support colleagues within your team, including cover for annual leave and sickness

To use the computer on a daily basis to type and save all correspondence using the Practice clinical system, EMIS Web medical information system

Attending and supporting various practice meetings such as Clincial Governance, Safeguarding, and Gold Standards Framework meetings and taking minutes as required.

Dealing with emails and actioning appropriately

Take messages when appropriate

Deal with any telephone enquiries and always answer the telephone with a polite and professional manner

Ensure all urgent/2 week wait referrals are processed in a timely manner

Perform any reasonable administrative tasks as requested

To assist reception in the cancellation of surgeries due to sickness etc by contacting patients and to re-appoint either by text, letter or telephone if required.

To sort and distribute incoming mail appropriately

File any correspondence as required

Photocopying as required

Dealing with patient queries regarding correspondence, referrals and pathology results.

Taking messages for GPs

Liaison with the Patient participation group

Collation of Information

Support the Practice team in achievement of keeping medical records updated by ensuring the following:

Collation of patient information using Emis Web medical information system

Maintaining quality and accuracy of all data input

Comply with Data Protection Act and GDPR

Working Environment

Carry out routine checks to ensure your work station is clean and tidy at the start and end of your shift

Ensure all equipment in your work station is operational and up to date and report any issues to your line manager

Ensure that confidential patient information is stored and handled according to protocol and report any concerns to your line manager

Health & Safety

Assist in promoting and maintaining your own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health and Safety policy.

Ensure that any hazards in your working area are reported immediately to your line manager

Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines

Demonstrate due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Confidentiality

Ensure patient and Practice information is kept confidential and secure at all times, in accordance with the Information Security and Confidentiality protocols

Performance/Professional Development

To participate in training sessions to ensure administrative, clinical and computer skills are kept up to date with current technology and practice

To participate in regular appraisal meetings

To participate in regular team meetings

Equality & Diversity

To support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues according to Practice protocol

Working with Patients

To work in partnership with our patients to help them achieve better health outcomes

To offer a polite, friendly and efficient level of communication service to all our patients

Dignity and Respect

To treat patients, colleagues and visitors with dignity and respect at all times

Feedback

To listen to feedback from patients and colleagues whether this be a complaint, comment or compliment and if it cannot be dealt with immediately, ensure it is reported immediately to the Practice Manager

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

To work within the guidelines set by CQC to ensure that the Practice is safe, efficient and provides the best possible care for patients

To offer suggestions to the Partners on how we can improve, progress and develop all processes relating to CQC

Any Other Duties

Any other duties as may be determined by the Practice Manager and Partners

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Standard Grade Mathematics & English or Equivalent
  • Computer literacy, ability to use Microsoft Word, Outlook &Excel

Desirable

  • Educated to A level, NVQ level 3 or equivalent standard of general education and experience
  • Full driving licence and use of own transport during the day

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Planning and organising
  • Performing under pressure
  • Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships both within the team and the organisation
  • Team working
  • Self motivated
  • Flexibility
  • Confidentiality

Experience

Essential

  • Able to deliver on targets in a timely way
  • Able to work to tight deadlines
  • Ability to work unsupervised as part of a team or independently using own initiative

Desirable

  • Knowledge of EMIS
  • Previous medical experience
  • Familiarity with medical terminology

Skills

Essential

  • IT skills
  • Time Management and the ability to work to deadlines
  • Accuracy
  • Excellent interpersonal skills

Desirable

  • Problem solving skills
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Standard Grade Mathematics & English or Equivalent
  • Computer literacy, ability to use Microsoft Word, Outlook &Excel

Desirable

  • Educated to A level, NVQ level 3 or equivalent standard of general education and experience
  • Full driving licence and use of own transport during the day

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Planning and organising
  • Performing under pressure
  • Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships both within the team and the organisation
  • Team working
  • Self motivated
  • Flexibility
  • Confidentiality

Experience

Essential

  • Able to deliver on targets in a timely way
  • Able to work to tight deadlines
  • Ability to work unsupervised as part of a team or independently using own initiative

Desirable

  • Knowledge of EMIS
  • Previous medical experience
  • Familiarity with medical terminology

Skills

Essential

  • IT skills
  • Time Management and the ability to work to deadlines
  • Accuracy
  • Excellent interpersonal skills

Desirable

  • Problem solving skills

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

Employer name

Beckington Family Practice

Address

St Luke's Surgery

St Luke's Road

Beckington

Somerset

BA11 6SE


Employer's website

http://www.beckingtonfamilypractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Beckington Family Practice

Address

St Luke's Surgery

St Luke's Road

Beckington

Somerset

BA11 6SE


Employer's website

http://www.beckingtonfamilypractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Office Manager

Tracey Gale

somicb.bfp.staffvacancies@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

17 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

A2578-202511

Job locations

St Luke's Surgery

St Luke's Road

Beckington

Somerset

BA11 6SE


Enos Way

Frome

BA11 2FH


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