Medical Secretary - Oncology

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The overall purpose of the post holder is to provide effective delivery of patient focused health care within key performance targets and provide communication and organisational skills for a designated number of consultant surgeons and their associated medical personnel/teams.

The role comprises a wide range of specific duties and requires competence in word processing, keyboard skills and audio-typing with the ability to prioritise own workload without direct supervision.

Main duties of the job

Are you interested in an important and challenging role within the Oncology Department at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

We are currently looking for a suitably qualified and experienced Secretary/PA to join our Oncology Team to provide a secretarial/PA role for the Consultants and specialist nurses.

You will need to work accurately and methodically, meet deadlines, show attention to detail, work as part of a team but use your own initiative. Can you work with all types of people and be helpful and reassuring when dealing with patients?

You will need to be flexible and pro-active, able to respond and adapt to the varying demands and changing circumstances in our busy department.

Resilience is an important quality to success in this role as is the ability to plan and organise your own workload.

The role involves a wide range of specific duties and requires competence in word processing, keyboard skills and audio typing. Knowledge of medical terminology and previous medical secretarial experience is an advantage, but not essential.

About us

When you walk through the door, one of the first things you'll notice is that the organisation is full of talented people. Not just in the fields of medicine, nursing or diagnostics but in every part of the organisation. Professional and committed people who are all working together in an open and supportive culture.

We don't just look at you for who you are now; we look at you for who you could be in the future. We take training seriously, and encourage you to do the same. We want staff to develop their capabilities to the full with a range of learning and development opportunities.

To enable the Trust and its employees to exceed expectations and to achieve corporate and service aims and objectives, we need to recruit, develop and retain skilled and motivated people through effective people management and development, leading to a high performance culture.

Date posted

21 March 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£25,147 to £27,596 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

435-S058-24

Job locations

Across East Lancashire Sites

Haslingden Road

Across East Lancashire Sites

BB2 3HH


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Transcription and production, from digital dictation and audio-tape, of typewritten reports/correspondence, using word processing packages, for the medical teams, which may include outpatient reports, detailed discharge summaries, operation notes and other relevant clinical and non clinical correspondence. This may include correspondence that is time-sensitive (such as complaints) ensuring information is dictated and typed within any designated time limits. Type medico-legal summaries, maintain medico-legal files and liaise with legal department in respect of medico-legal cases

  • Manage patient investigation results effectively including maintaining systems for monitoring and retrieving outstanding investigations and responsibility for chasing up missing/delayed results. Retrieve patient results from ICE/CRIS systems, ensuring that results are available as soon as possible Check all incoming laboratory/radiology results, ensuring that abnormal results are communicated promptly to appropriate Clinician. Will be required to instigate appropriate referrals to other disciplines in respect of specific abnormalities in line with Departmental protocols. Ensure all reports are seen and signed by Clinician prior to filing in case-notes. Ensure that pathways are closed where appropriate following discharge or paperwork or coded appropriate if not discharged.

  • Process health records of patients discharged from hospital; where standard letters have been generated at ward level, ascertain from case-notes whether any supplementary letter/action is required and deal with appropriately. Ensure that follow up appointments or referrals to other specialties are arranged where necessary. Ensure that relevant investigation results received after patients discharge are communicated to GP where appropriate, particularly where treatment may be required.

  • Input and extract data from patient administration system (PAS) and other relevant software programmes, which may be Trust-wide or specialty-specific (eg. Theatreman etc)

  • Provide appropriate cover by operating a buddy system for colleagues during periods of absence to ensure effective cross-cover is maintained within the directorate. .

  • To be the primary contact for patients under designated consultants. To communicate effectively and professionally, giving reassurance, information or advice appropriately

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Transcription and production, from digital dictation and audio-tape, of typewritten reports/correspondence, using word processing packages, for the medical teams, which may include outpatient reports, detailed discharge summaries, operation notes and other relevant clinical and non clinical correspondence. This may include correspondence that is time-sensitive (such as complaints) ensuring information is dictated and typed within any designated time limits. Type medico-legal summaries, maintain medico-legal files and liaise with legal department in respect of medico-legal cases

  • Manage patient investigation results effectively including maintaining systems for monitoring and retrieving outstanding investigations and responsibility for chasing up missing/delayed results. Retrieve patient results from ICE/CRIS systems, ensuring that results are available as soon as possible Check all incoming laboratory/radiology results, ensuring that abnormal results are communicated promptly to appropriate Clinician. Will be required to instigate appropriate referrals to other disciplines in respect of specific abnormalities in line with Departmental protocols. Ensure all reports are seen and signed by Clinician prior to filing in case-notes. Ensure that pathways are closed where appropriate following discharge or paperwork or coded appropriate if not discharged.

  • Process health records of patients discharged from hospital; where standard letters have been generated at ward level, ascertain from case-notes whether any supplementary letter/action is required and deal with appropriately. Ensure that follow up appointments or referrals to other specialties are arranged where necessary. Ensure that relevant investigation results received after patients discharge are communicated to GP where appropriate, particularly where treatment may be required.

  • Input and extract data from patient administration system (PAS) and other relevant software programmes, which may be Trust-wide or specialty-specific (eg. Theatreman etc)

  • Provide appropriate cover by operating a buddy system for colleagues during periods of absence to ensure effective cross-cover is maintained within the directorate. .

  • To be the primary contact for patients under designated consultants. To communicate effectively and professionally, giving reassurance, information or advice appropriately

Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • 5 GCSE at Level 4 and above or equivalent including GCSE English
  • RSA/OCR Stage III Typewriting or o RSA/OCR Word Processing Stage III or o RSA/OCR Audio typewriting Stage III or o Proven ability of an equivalent level of skill

Desirable

  • oAMSPAR qualification
  • oMedical terminology certificate or knowledge of medical terminology
  • oECDL

Job Experience

Essential

  • oRelevant secretarial experience in an acute hospital environment
  • oExperience of information technology systems (e.g. Word, Excel, Email, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, ICE, Theatreman, PAS etc

Desirable

  • oAnalytical skills and ability to problem solve
  • oThorough understanding of NHS performance targets
  • oAbility to work as part of a team and be supportive of other team members giving direction when necessary.

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to understand, absorb and comply with detailed procedures
  • Experience of developing and maintaining good working relationships at all levels
  • Understanding and commitment to the need for confidentiality
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent organisational, time management skills with the ability to prioritise work and take initiative on matters of importance

Desirable

  • oAbility to maintain composure in challenging situations
Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • 5 GCSE at Level 4 and above or equivalent including GCSE English
  • RSA/OCR Stage III Typewriting or o RSA/OCR Word Processing Stage III or o RSA/OCR Audio typewriting Stage III or o Proven ability of an equivalent level of skill

Desirable

  • oAMSPAR qualification
  • oMedical terminology certificate or knowledge of medical terminology
  • oECDL

Job Experience

Essential

  • oRelevant secretarial experience in an acute hospital environment
  • oExperience of information technology systems (e.g. Word, Excel, Email, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, ICE, Theatreman, PAS etc

Desirable

  • oAnalytical skills and ability to problem solve
  • oThorough understanding of NHS performance targets
  • oAbility to work as part of a team and be supportive of other team members giving direction when necessary.

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to understand, absorb and comply with detailed procedures
  • Experience of developing and maintaining good working relationships at all levels
  • Understanding and commitment to the need for confidentiality
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent organisational, time management skills with the ability to prioritise work and take initiative on matters of importance

Desirable

  • oAbility to maintain composure in challenging situations

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Across East Lancashire Sites

Haslingden Road

Across East Lancashire Sites

BB2 3HH


Employer's website

http://jobs.elht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Across East Lancashire Sites

Haslingden Road

Across East Lancashire Sites

BB2 3HH


Employer's website

http://jobs.elht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Medical Administration Manager

Paula Nelson

paula.nelson@elht.nhs.uk

01254733569

Date posted

21 March 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£25,147 to £27,596 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

435-S058-24

Job locations

Across East Lancashire Sites

Haslingden Road

Across East Lancashire Sites

BB2 3HH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)