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Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Support Medical Secretary

The closing date is 16 April 2026

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Job summary

We are seeking highly organised and proactive Support Medical Secretaries to join our Paediatrics team at Musgrove Park Hospital (MPH). This is a 30-hour-per-week position, available for 12 months to cover maternity leave.

This roles play a vital part in ensuring the efficient delivery of administrative and secretarial support to our clinical staff. You will be responsible for providing a comprehensive and professional service within a busy paediatric environment, supporting consultants and the wider multidisciplinary team.

This is an exciting opportunity for efficient and motivated individuals to contribute to a dynamic healthcare environment. If you thrive in a fast paced setting and have the skills to support a dedicated medical team, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today to join our team!

Main duties of the job

  • Provide high quality secretarial and administrative support to Consultants and the wider Paediatric team.
  • Handle telephone queries, incoming mail, emails and patient enquiries in a professional and timely manner.
  • Complete audio and copy typing of clinical correspondence, ensuring accuracy and appropriate distribution.
  • Maintain patient information, case notes and records in line with Trust policies and data protection requirements.
  • Support outpatient booking processes, waiting list management and coordination of appointments or procedures.
  • Liaise with multidisciplinary teams to gather information and ensure smooth patient pathways.
  • Prioritise workload effectively to meet service deadlines and Trust targets.
  • Assist with induction, mentoring or training of new administrative staff and apprentices when required.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted

08 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-4477

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication & Relationships

Communicate clearly and professionally with patients, families, clinicians and external agencies.

Receive telephone calls, take accurate messages and respond appropriately on behalf of the team.

Handle sensitive or distressing information with discretion and empathy.

Participate in departmental/team meetings and contribute to a positive team culture.

Planning & Organisation

Organise and prioritise daily work to ensure efficient service delivery.

Book appointments, update waiting lists, schedule theatre or inpatient admissions where appropriate.

Ensure all investigation results and essential patient information are available in good time for clinicians.

Maintain accurate filing systems, manage correspondence and ensure clinical documents are correctly processed.

Patient/Client Care Support

Respond promptly to patient queries, escalating concerns where necessary.

Help ensure patient pathways run smoothly by coordinating information and highlighting delays or potential RTT breaches.

Information Management & Administration

Type a range of clinical documents from audio or copy, ensuring accuracy and timely completion.

Maintain specialised databases, update records, input statistics and provide data when required.

Follow Trust policies relating to confidentiality, data protection and record management.

Team Support & Cross Cover

Provide cover for secretarial colleagues during periods of absence.

Support the induction and mentoring of new staff, administrative assistants or apprentices.

Work flexibly across the Trust when required.

General Responsibilities

Uphold Trust values through excellent communication, teamwork and patient-centred service.

Adhere to health and safety requirements, safeguarding policies and infection prevention standards.

Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication & Relationships

Communicate clearly and professionally with patients, families, clinicians and external agencies.

Receive telephone calls, take accurate messages and respond appropriately on behalf of the team.

Handle sensitive or distressing information with discretion and empathy.

Participate in departmental/team meetings and contribute to a positive team culture.

Planning & Organisation

Organise and prioritise daily work to ensure efficient service delivery.

Book appointments, update waiting lists, schedule theatre or inpatient admissions where appropriate.

Ensure all investigation results and essential patient information are available in good time for clinicians.

Maintain accurate filing systems, manage correspondence and ensure clinical documents are correctly processed.

Patient/Client Care Support

Respond promptly to patient queries, escalating concerns where necessary.

Help ensure patient pathways run smoothly by coordinating information and highlighting delays or potential RTT breaches.

Information Management & Administration

Type a range of clinical documents from audio or copy, ensuring accuracy and timely completion.

Maintain specialised databases, update records, input statistics and provide data when required.

Follow Trust policies relating to confidentiality, data protection and record management.

Team Support & Cross Cover

Provide cover for secretarial colleagues during periods of absence.

Support the induction and mentoring of new staff, administrative assistants or apprentices.

Work flexibly across the Trust when required.

General Responsibilities

Uphold Trust values through excellent communication, teamwork and patient-centred service.

Adhere to health and safety requirements, safeguarding policies and infection prevention standards.

Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good standard of general education

Desirable

  • ECDL or equivalentRSA/OCR III WP/Typing or equivalentAMSPAR or British Medical Secretary Diploma (includes medical terminology) or equivalent knowledge

Experience

Essential

  • Audio typing/word processing

Desirable

  • Previous NHS administration experience
  • Medical audio typing

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Working knowledge of Microsoft office suiteKnowledge of medical terminology

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of in house hospital systemsKnowledge of patient notes / retrieval and related tasks/medical records procedureKnowledge of Department and Divisional Structure
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good standard of general education

Desirable

  • ECDL or equivalentRSA/OCR III WP/Typing or equivalentAMSPAR or British Medical Secretary Diploma (includes medical terminology) or equivalent knowledge

Experience

Essential

  • Audio typing/word processing

Desirable

  • Previous NHS administration experience
  • Medical audio typing

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Working knowledge of Microsoft office suiteKnowledge of medical terminology

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of in house hospital systemsKnowledge of patient notes / retrieval and related tasks/medical records procedureKnowledge of Department and Divisional Structure

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

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Chelsea Baker

Chelsea.Baker@somersetFT.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

08 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-4477

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Supporting documents

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