Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship
Bridgegate Medical Centre
Barrow-In-Furness (LA13 9SH)
Closes on Sunday 1 February 2026
Posted on 15 December 2025
Contents
Summary
Business administrators develop a wide range of transferable skills such as communication, organisation, problem solving and IT literacy. Their role involves managing, improving, and supporting administrative services.
- Wage
-
£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
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Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 17:00.
38 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 16 February 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- 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
To provide a point of contact for patients and act as a focal point of communication between patients, doctors and other members of the primary health care team.
Reception duties:
- Ensure efficiency of appointment system, ‘check in’ patients on practice computer system and monitor flow of patients into waiting rooms.
- Ensure that patients without appointment but who need ‘urgent consultation’ are seen in a logical and non-disruptive manner.
- Explain practice procedures to new patients and those seeking temporary cover, ensuring procedures are carried out and details entered on practice computer system.
- Advise patients of relevant charges for private services, accept and record payments and issue receipts for same.
- Respond to all queries and requests for assistance from patients and other visitors.
- Where necessary on GP advice requests for home visits from the home visiting service all relevant information in line with practice protocol. Where necessary refer to the duty doctor.
- Ensure that requests for repeat prescriptions are entered accurately on the practice computer system in line with practice protocol.
- Prepare letters for posting and record in post book.
- Ensure waiting and reception areas are kept neat and tidy.
- Do relevant searches and recalls for QoF etc.
Appointment system:
- Ensure total familiarity with all appointment systems presently being used including seasonal variations.
- Book appointments and recalls on the practice system ensuring sufficient information is recorded to accurately identify patient.
- Monitor accuracy of computerised appointment system and report any problems or variations to the senior receptionist.
- Medical records
- Retrieve and refile records as required ensuring that strict alphabetical order is adhered to.
- Ensure correspondence, report, results etc. are scanned into the correct record.
- Scan document in line with practice protocol.
- Ensure records are kept neat and tidy with all necessary information recorded correctly on the outer cover.
- Collate and sort new patient medical records in accordance with practice protocol.
- Respond to requests from patients in respect of pathology test results in accordance with practice protocol.
Operation of telephone system:
- Receive and make calls as required. Divert calls and take messages as appropriate ensuring that enough information is recorded t accurately identify the patient.
- Ensure that the telephone system is operational at the beginning of each day, any problems report to the office manager.
- Start and end of day procedures
- Open up the premises at the start of the day, set alarm to day function and make all necessary arrangements to receive patients.
- Ensure computer system is closed down at end of day.
- Secure premised at end of day, ensuring any filing cabinets are locked and alarm activated if required.
Special requirements of the post:
- An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality
- To inform practice manager of any area of conflict or complaint identified by a patient.
- To adhere strictly to NHS Cumbria departmental health and safety rules and procedures to protect patient, self and other primary health care team staff.
- To participate fully in practice staff meetings and appropriate training events.
- Do annual Blue Stream Training online.
Where you'll work
Winchester Street
Barrow-In-Furness
LA13 9SH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
FURNESS COLLEGE
Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
- Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
- Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
- Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
- Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
- Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
- Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
- Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.
Training schedule
Requirements
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
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
Other requirements
To discuss with employer.
About this employer
Bridgegate Medical Centre, located in the heart of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, is a trusted healthcare provider for the local community. The surgery, situated on Winchester Street, serves around 9,000 people from Barrow and the surrounding villages. They take pride in offering compassionate and respectful care, creating an environment where everyone feels valued.
The centre is fully accessible, with wheelchair access, step-free entry, and a disabled WC. Their easy-to-use appointment systems make it convenient for patients to receive care when needed, and their commitment to well-being is always a top priority. Beyond their clinical services, Bridgegate Medical Centre actively engages with the local community, collaborating with schools and organisations to promote healthy living.
After this apprenticeship
To discuss with employer.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
FURNESS COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000005075.
Apply now
Closes on Sunday 1 February 2026
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