Apprentice Receptionist

Skerne Medical Group (Sedgefield)

STOCKTON ON TEES (TS21 3BN)

Closes in 13 days (Thursday 21 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 7 May 2026

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Summary

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the Team at Skerne Medical Group. During your apprenticeship, you will gain experience in primary care and Customer Service/secretarial work. As a Medical Receptionist, you will usually be the first person patients speak to when they come to the surgery. 

Wage

£15,808 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Customer service practitioner (level 2)
Hours
38 hours per week, generally worked across 4 days (Hours to be discussed in interview).

38 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 June 2026

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 an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work:

  • To provide a high standard of patient service
  • To have thorough knowledge of practice procedures and to work in accordance of written protocols
  • Provide general assistance to the practice team to both clinical and non-clinical
  • Project a positive and friendly image to patients and other visitors, either in person or via the telephone
  • Receive, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare they require
  • Resolve queries/problems from patients, clinicians and associated staff
  • Deal with external agencies such as other practices, secondary care and 3rd party organisations
  • To ensure the provision of a high quality patient service within a safe, efficient working environment by providing effective support to clinicians and staff
  • Undertake all clerical, reception and administration duties applicable to the medical practice

Where you'll work

HARBINSON HOUSE
FRONT STREET
SEDGEFIELD
STOCKTON ON TEES
TS21 3BN

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

EAST DURHAM COLLEGE

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

  • An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college
  • At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying

The successful candidate will complete the Level 2 Customer Service Apprenticeship Standard. This will be delivered in the workplace, with a tutor visiting once a month.  

Course content:

  • 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

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 3)
  • Maths (grade 3)

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
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

About this employer

Skerne Medical Group is a rural practice registered with the Care Quality Commission. The practice provides services to around 17,000 patients from three locations: Harbinson House in Sedgefield, Carroll House in Trimdon Colliery and Beveridge House in Fishburn.

We are a well-established training practice providing high standards of patient focused care.  Our practice team consists of 7 GP Partners, 4 Salaried GPs and 3 Clinical Practitioners who are supported by an extensive experienced nursing team along with a full complement of management and administrative staff who all play a part in striving to provide the best possible healthcare for our patients.

https://www.skernemedical.nhs.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • Progression onto the next level of qualification and the possibility of full-time employment

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EAST DURHAM COLLEGE

Sarah English

sarah.english@eastdurham.ac.uk

0191 518 8262

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000030313.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Thursday 21 May 2026 at 11:59pm)