Receptionist

Job summary

Purpose of the job:

To be part of a wider dental team providing reception, administrative & clerical support to the dental service using computerised systems. This will include assisting with the decontamination of instruments, as required.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Communication:

Welcoming and receiving service users and their carers into the dental service

Dealing with telephone and face to face enquiries about the dental service in a professional and empathetic manner

Making, changing and updating appointments for service users which will inclWude direct face to face and telephone contact

Offering regular updates to service users waiting and where appropriate explaining any reason for the delay in being seen

Explaining NHS service user charges using professional judgement and empathy when there may be barriers to understanding

Providing advice and information to service users and or carers, ensuring that leaflets and all information presented is current

Working collaboratively with the dental team, senior leaders and wider colleagues to maintain the effective running of the dental service

Administrative & Clerical Support:

Entering service user details onto computer system, collecting all essential demographic information.&bsp; Distributing medical history forms to service users, collecting ad provide to the dentist

To utilise the appointment book to fully optimise clinical appointments.

Using computerised systems to track and monitor waiting times

Monitoring the service user’s welfare and alerting clinical team, if necessary, of any concerns

Preparing electronic FP17PR, medical history and other appropriate documentation, gaining service user/or significant other’s signature.

Preparing electronic FP17PR, medical history and other appropriate documentation, gaining service user/or significant other’s signature

Arranging appointments for service users referred into the service, electronic records for the service user, entering details of the referring practitioner onto the computer system.

Receiving and recording details for outreach visits.&bsp; Liaising with the detail team about appointments and arranging outreach visits, where applicable.

Organising incoming and outgoing correspondence

Assisting with all financial aspects including administering service user charges and receiving various type of payments – cash, credit and debit cards. As appropriate, to cashing up at the end of the session and regularly banking dental income.

To be responsible for regularly updating the dental income database

To be responsible for petty cash

Demonstrating own activities or workplace routines to new or less experienced staff in own work area

Inputting data to maintain accurate stock control record as required, liaising with the Senior Dental Nurse regarding stock levels and ordering requirements

Decontamination Support:

Checking that dental instruments and equipment in store are within the ‘use by’ date and reprocess non-compliant items

Collecting dental instruments and equipment requiring decontamination from dental surgeries and to deliver clean instruments ready for use

Assisting with the organising of general and periodic machine servicing and action accordingly and when required

Decontaminating dental instruments and equipment, working to the Service’s quality systems, policies, procedures, and guidelines as required.

Documenting all daily maintenance of machines and equipment as required

Carrying out all dental instrument and equipment tracking as required

Complying with the daily documentation of the decontamination of all equipment

Using an automated washer, dental instruments and dental equipment as required to manufacturers’ guidelines

Sterilising detal instruments using autoclaves

Disinfecting dental equipment in accordance with manufacturers’ guidelines

Regularly checking the tidiness of the waiting and reception area, tidy as necessary and clean play equipment in accordance with the Infection Control Policy

Ensuring noticeboards display current information.&bsp

Assisting with stocktaking and requisitioning of supplies and processing payment.&bsp; This may include a range of items including dental laboratory work, laundry, stationery and dental sundries, etc

Carrying out daily equipment checks to adhere to health and safety regulations and organising the repair of all defects to be dealt with promptly

Professionalism, Leadership and Management:

To be resposible for promoting the organisation’s values and high-performance standards both individually and as a team, in the achievement of our strategic objectives and priorities

Building a strong external image of clinical excellence for the organisation and creating opportunities to enhance the profile of the social enterprise and its services, ensuring high social responsibility.&bsp

Acting within other professional laws and systems including Health and Safety, Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Legislation

Observing all policies ad procedures and maintaining the Staff Confidentiality Code of Conduct at all times

Following and implementing operational and clinical policies and procedures to comply with legislation

Applying safe working practices and taking responsibility for own actions

Supporting other members of the detal and wider healthcare team in the interest of service users

Demostrating a commitment to lifelong learning through education, training, and practice against agreed occupational standards.

Applying an evidence-based approach to learning, practice and decision making and utilising critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Taking responsibility for personal development planning and reflective practice.

Maintaining professional behaviour and appearance, including being punctual and polite.

Effectively managing own time and resources.

The duties of this post may vary from time to time as a result of new legislation, changes in technology or policy changes. In this case, appropriate training may be given to the post holder to undertake this new varied work

About us

About the University of Suffolk Dental Community Interest Company (CIC)

The University of Suffolk Dental Community Interest Company (CIC) is an exciting and innovative collaboration between the University of Suffolk and the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, seeking to provide high-quality NHS dental services to the population of Suffolk through the brand new, state of the art clinical facilities situated on the scenic Ipswich Waterfront. 

Embracing the latest technology and innovation, the facility will offer fully equipped surgeries, intraoral cameras, digital radiography, and access to CBCT diagnostics.

As a new provider of NHS dental care in the region the CIC is well-placed to offer ordinary dental care delivered with extraordinary care.  Our ethos is all about enabling dental care, improving oral health by increasing access to dental services and at the same time providing opportunities for those starting or continuing a dental career in the East of England.

In line with current good practice and optimum care delivery, an opportunity to deliver person-centered care with a focus on prevention, stabilisation, and disease management.