Medical Secretary Apprentice
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Tyne and Wear (NE9 6SX)
Closes in 14 days (Thursday 19 November 2026)
Posted on 5 November 2026
Contents
Summary
The post holder will support the medical secretarial team with administrative, clerical and typing duties, including audio/digital dictation, patient correspondence, telephone enquiries, record keeping and use of Trust clinical and administrative systems, while working in accordance with Trust policies and confidentiality requirements.
- Wage
-
£25,272 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
NHS AfC: Band 2-3
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
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Tuesday 5 January 2027
- Duration
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1 year 3 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 clerical and administrative support to the medical secretarial team under supervision.
- To develop skills in audio/digital dictation, copy typing and the preparation of accurate clinical correspondence.
- To input, retrieve and update patient information using Trust systems, ensuring records are accurate, timely and confidential.
- To deal with telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries from patients, relatives, clinical teams and external agencies, escalating queries where appropriate.
- To assist with filing, scanning, photocopying, distribution of correspondence and other general office duties.
- To maintain strict patient confidentiality and comply with Trust information governance policies at all times.
- To attend training, supervision sessions and regular reviews with the line manager, assessor and apprenticeship or training provider.
- To develop an understanding of medical terminology, departmental procedures and the role of the medical secretary within the wider clinical team.
Where you'll work
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Sheriff Hill
Gateshead
Tyne and Wear
NE9 6SX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
GATESHEAD COUNCIL
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
You will undertake a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship and the Level 3 Certificate in Medical Terminology, which will be delivered on-site, one day per week.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
NVQ 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
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Team working
- Non judgemental
- Confidentiality awareness
- Data protection
- Medical terminology
- Typing skills
- Audio typing
Other requirements
PLEASE NOTE it is a requirement of this Trust that all successful applicants pay for their DBS certificate if a check is required for the post. This will be done through deduction from your monthly pay over a maximum of three months. It is also a requirement that all successful applicants register or are registered with the DBS update service where a DBS is required.
All new entrants to the NHS will be appointed on the minimum of the pay scale in line with Terms & Conditions.
Applications from job seekers who require Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications where the post is eligible.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
Candidates who require sponsorship are strongly advised to visit the UK Border Agency website and familiarise themselves with what is required. There is a facility on this site to access the points based calculator and work through an example which should assist candidates in their understanding of the process.
About this employer
Based in the North East of England #GatesheadHealth provides a range of hospital and community services from our leading facilities. Our primary focus is on providing excellent health services to our local community.
https://www.gatesheadhealth.nhs.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and sign off of the required comptencies, you will progress into a band 3 role.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Janet Rodgers
Janet.rodgers@nhs.net
01914456572
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000062905.
Apply now
Closes in 14 days (Thursday 19 November 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.