Apprentice Medical Receptionist
Thursby Surgery
BURNLEY (BB10 3BF)
Closes on Tuesday 30 December 2025
Posted on 30 October 2025
Contents
Summary
Joining as a business admin apprentice at Thursby Surgery offers hands-on experience in a renowned healthcare setting. Gain skills in a dynamic, collaborative environment, contributing to top-notch patient care and professional growth.
- Wage
-
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday.
A staff rota is developed in advance and this may include early starts (7am), late finishes (8pm) and/or Saturday mornings. Shifts to be confirmed.
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Tuesday 13 January 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
- Implement office procedures and work in accordance with written protocols
- Receive patients, consult with members of the practice team
Process appointment requests from patients by telephone and in person. - Use our EMIS Web Clinical System to process requests for appointments and visits
- Act as a care navigator in directing callers to the appropriate healthcare professional.
- Use own judgment, practice systems and communication skills to ensure that patients who need urgent consultation are seen according to need.
- Enter requests for home visits, ensuring to carefully record all relevant details and referring to the duty doctor where necessary.
- Deal with general enquiries, explain procedures and make both new and follow-up appointments.
- Receive and make telephone calls as required. Divert calls and take messages, ensuring accuracy of detail and prompt appropriate delivery
- Handle completed repeat prescriptions for the patient and check names and addresses.
- Registrations of new patients – computer data entry and medical records.
- Explain practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover in accordance with Practice policy and procedures.
- Process patients’ changes of address – computer data and medical records
- Advise patients of relevant charges for private (non-GMS) services, accept payment and issue receipts.
- Ensure a working knowledge of the telephone system during and after hours
- Respond to all requests and queries from patients, team members and associated healthcare agencies
- Ensure building security – have thorough knowledge of doors/windows/alarm
- Input and extract patient information to and from the EMIS Web Clinical System as required.
- Take messages and pass on information in a timely and appropriate manner
- Action requests for repeat prescriptions and ensure that they are ready for collection by the patient within 48 hours.
- Scan, fax and photocopy as required
- Have working knowledge of the telephone system, during and after hours
- Process and distribute incoming and outgoing mail
File and retrieve paperwork update as necessary - Clear and re-stock consulting rooms as required
- Keep the reception area, notice-boards and leaflet dispensers updated, tidy and free from obstructions and clutter
- Inform line manager of low stock levels i.e. stationary or other supplies
- Be able to cover all reception positions as necessary to meet the needs of the practice
- Complete administrative tasks as requested, including requirements of Clinical Coding, management of medication documentation and processing, secretarial duties and support of private work functions, for which appropriate training will be provided.
Where you'll work
2 BROWHEAD ROAD
BURNLEY
BB10 3BF
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BURNLEY 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
- The apprentice will receive a level 3 qualification in business administration following the completion of their course.
- The training for this course will be run through Burnley College.
- Day release at Burnley College
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 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
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Administrative skills
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
Thursby Surgery is renowned for its commitment to excellence in healthcare. Embracing innovation and adaptability, it responds effectively to the evolving landscape of general practice. By sharing expertise and fostering a collaborative environment, it ensures the highest standards of medical care. Thursby Surgery prioritises the health of its community, advocating for self-care and balancing individual patient needs with those of the wider population. Patients receive high-quality, accessible care delivered with courtesy and responsiveness, making Thursby Surgery a standout choice for both patients and professionals alike.
After this apprenticeship
Upon sucessful completion of the apprenticeship you could secure permanent employment.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BURNLEY COLLEGE
Themis
Themis@burnley.ac.uk
01282733005
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000348926.
Apply now
Closes on Tuesday 30 December 2025
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