Dental Receptionist Apprenticeship (Customer Service) - Newcastle
RIVERDALE TRADECO LIMITED
Newcastle upon Tyne (NE3 2DQ)
Closes in 30 days (Wednesday 22 October 2025)
Posted on 19 September 2025
Contents
Summary
Riverdale Healthcare are looking for a new Apprentice Receptionist at The Grange Dental Centre. You will be studying toward your Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 Apprenticeship.
- Wage
-
£17,888 a year
- Training course
- Customer service practitioner (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday & Tuesday
(08:45- 18:00)
Wednesday
(07:45- 18:00)
Thursday
(07:45- 19:00)
Friday
(07:45- 17:00)
43 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 29 October 2025
- Duration
-
1 year
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
As a dental Receptionist, you have the first contact with the patient, and the professional appearance, behavior, standard of customer care of the receptionist will determine the impression the patient gains about the practice as a whole and will set the tone for the whole visit. The receptionist can influence the mood of the waiting room, the stress level in the surgeries and the general feeling of wellbeing in the whole practice.
Customer Service:
- Ensure the patient journey is adhered to at all times, paying attention to the outside of the building as well as the inside
- Welcoming patients whether it be in person or over the telephone, establishing the reason for their visit/call and ensure they are treated in a friendly, courteous and professional manner always communicating about waiting times
- Acknowledge and welcome all visitors and contractors arriving at the practice and ensure the visitors book is signed
- Booking and amending appointments, answering the phone, updating patient records
- To answer the telephone promptly and in the prescribed manner
- Ensure that the answer machine messages are switched on and off at the relevant times of the day
- Check the telephone for messages that may have been left and return the calls as required
- Ensure the reception emails are checked frequently and all emails responded to
- Accurately update and protect patient information including on the patient electronic database
- Book next appointments before the patient leaves the practice
- Ensure you contact the patients regarding their upcoming appointment, including courtesy calls
- Ensure that the appointment system is efficient and accurate
- Ensure the appointments books are kept full as possible
- Ensure that all treatment plans, medical histories, and PR forms are signed at the relevant appointments
- Accessing sensitive information whilst always maintaining patient confidentiality
- Ensuring patients are aware of the dental services and products we offer
- Build and nurture great working relationships with the Clinical team and Practice team
- Be actively involved in the smooth running of the practice by working well with the practice team
- Work at other practice locations from time to time as required
- Role model the Riverdale Values 'Be The Best We Can Be, Do The Right Thing & Support Each Other'
Administration:
- Keep the reception area and waiting room clean and tidy
- Record lab work back when returned to the practice from the lab
- Send out ‘Failed to attend’ letters the same day to the relevant patients
- Record and send out patient recalls
- Manage open courses as directed by the Practice Manager
- Organise stock supplies and control for reception
- Remove safely any hazards from the waiting area (e.g., stock deliveries)
- Ensure all relevant forms for NHS and private are completed
- Ensure that any patient records are completed correctly before filing and store them in an efficient, tidy and secure manner
- Print the day sheets from computer system for the next day and get the record cards out if required (update before the end of day)
- Ensure that the toilets are checked daily and are clean and tidy also they are stocked sufficiently for the day
- To log out of SFD and SOE when leaving the reception desk
- Attend and participate in practice meetings
Where you'll work
Dental Surgery, 59-61 Great North Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 2DQ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS LIMITED
Training course
Customer service practitioner (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Use a range of questioning skills, including listening and responding in a way that builds rapport, determines customer needs and expectations and achieves positive engagement and delivery.
- Depending on your job role and work environment: Use appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills, along with summarising language during face-to-face communications; and/or
- Depending on your job role and work environment: Use appropriate communication skills, along with reinforcement techniques (to confirm understanding) during non-facing customer interactions.
- Depending on your job role and work environment: Use an appropriate ‘tone of voice’ in all communications, including written and digital, that reflect the organisation’s brand.
- Provide clear explanations and offer options in order to help customers make choices that are mutually beneficial to both the customer and your organisation.
- Be able to organise yourself, prioritise your own workload/activity and work to meet deadlines.
- Demonstrate patience and calmness.
- Show you understand the customer’s point of view.
- Use appropriate sign-posting or resolution to meet your customers needs and manage expectations.
- Maintain informative communication during service recovery.
Training schedule
Founded in 1974, we've been delivering market-leading learning and talent solutions for over forty years. We’re privileged to help individuals unlock their potential and realise the value of their skills and talents. We help build meaningful careers that give individuals security, satisfaction, and purpose – and in turn help organisations and wider industry meet the challenges of a changeable operating environment.
On completion of this 12 month apprenticeship you will have gained your Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 Apprenticeship.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
Other in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
Other requirements
The closing date guidance, if a successful candidate is found before the advertised dates, the advert will close early
About this employer
Riverdale Healthcare is a group of dental practices who share a passion for delivering high quality, ethical dental care whilst providing our patients with the absolute best experience. We invest in our practices to ensure we are providing the best patient experience, with care delivered by a friendly highly trained team. Our team of Dental Nurses and Receptionists can expect the highest level of support whilst being equipped to perform dentistry to the highest standards with patient care at the heart of our vision. Our Vision is: To be the most trusted provider transforming dental care for the nation.
After this apprenticeship
- Possibility of a full time role after the completion of the Apprenticeship
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000342813.
Apply now
Closes in 30 days (Wednesday 22 October 2025)
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