Medical Secretary - Ophthalmology Department

Overview

We are looking for a new and enthusiastic member of staff to join our existing Ophthalmology secretarial team. You will be responsible for looking after Consultant Ophthalmologists and their associated teams.

• Work closely with all grades of clinical and administrative staff, along with other employees within the Trust. Liaise with patients, GP’s and other external agencies.
• Ensure empathy and tact when dealing with patients that may be angry or upset regarding any aspect of their care.
• Ensure all results of tests and investigations are tracked effectively, shown to the relevant consultant promptly and undertake appropriate action as instructed.
• Independently deal with patient/carer telephone calls and enquiries in an efficient, sensitive and confidential manner, exercising judgement to analyse and resolve any problems and referring on to the clinician as appropriate.
• Maintain clinical diaries (both paper and electronic) and check them against the published timetables. Use discretion and initiative when arranging meetings and appointments for patients, relatives and others. Ensure that arrangements regarding medical staff leave and cover arrangements are circulated appropriately and clinical activities amended accordingly.
• Undertake a variety of office duties such as filing, opening and distributing post, photocopying, moving and lifting of patient notes to ensure efficient and effective support to the department.
• Plan and organise own workload efficiently and highlight any concerns to the Admin Team Leaders.

• Proven secretarial experience with RSA 2 or similar, experience of audio typing, working with patient records and using a hospital database such as PAS, Infoflex, E-Referral, and Microsoft applications.
• Proven experience of working in a similar role within the NHS and working under pressure.
• Good communicator able to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to undertake an audio typing and grammar test at interview.

The Ophthalmology department consists of 13 Consultant Ophthalmologists, 2 Associate Specialists and 1 specialty doctor. There are also junior doctors ranging from ST1s to ST8s including Belgium Fellows. The Orthoptic department consists of 1 Head Orthoptist and an orthoptist/optometrists team; as well as Allied Health Professionals and Specialist Nurses. The department is supported by a Practice Manager, 3 Admin Team Leaders, 1 Eye Surgery Unit supervisor, a team of B3 and B2 secretaries plus B3 receptionists/admissions clerks.

The Ophthalmology service is very busy and the admin teams are key to ensure things run smoothly and efficiently.

One of the main rewards of this role is knowing you have made a difference and enhanced a patient’s experience within the Ophthalmology Department.