Surgery Receptionist/Administrator Apprentice

EAST HILL SURGERY

COLCHESTER (CO1 2RW)

Closes in 16 days (Friday 12 September 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 26 August 2025

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Summary

East Hill Surgery is looking to recruit an apprentice to join the friendly team. Working within the NHS can be extremely rewarding but also very demanding at times, so the applicant must have the ability to work under pressure. The apprentice must have a drive to learn and be proactive with a desire to learn the skills to advance in this career.

Wage

£15,392 a year

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The pay may be negotiated and may rise after a probation period has been successfully completed

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Working Monday – Friday between the hours of 8am – 7pm but actual times at present are to be discussed and agreed. Some flexibility will be required for times of annual leave or to cover staff sickness.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 22 September 2025

Duration

1 year 9 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

The applicant will be fully trained in all reception duties as well as administration duties, which include:

  • Answering the telephone
  • Dealing with patients face-to-face
  • Dealing with patient queries/questions
  • Process daily mail, email and courier mail while maintaining confidentiality at all times
  • Dealing with queries from other health care providers
  • Scanning and coding of correspondence, document management via workflow
  • End-of-month processes
  • Dealing with prescription queries/questions
  • Printing of records
  • Promoting Friends & Family Test

Where you'll work

78 EAST HILL
COLCHESTER
CO1 2RW

Training

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

Training provider

ESSEX COUNTY 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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C/4)
  • Maths (grade C/4)

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
  • Presentation skills
  • Patience
  • Flexible
  • Confident
  • Enthusiastic

Other requirements

The post holder will have set hrs, but flexibility will be required at times of annual leave or sick leave. Some travel may be required if the post holder wishes to attend other training not on site. The work will be varied but it may involve long periods of working on a computer.

About this employer

We are a town centre GP Surgery providing NHS Services and some private services to patients who are registered at our surgery.

https://www.easthillsurgery.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • A successful apprenticeship will lead to a permanent position being offered with the prospect of further funded training to allow the apprentice to extend their knowledge and further their career within primary care

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

Louise Goodwin

lgoodwin@nhs.net

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000338767.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Friday 12 September 2025 at 11:59pm)

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