Apprentice Patient Communicator
Bideford Medical Centre
NORTH DEVON (EX39 3AF)
Closes in 22 days (Friday 12 December 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 19 November 2025
Contents
Summary
Bideford Medical Centre is an inclusive, forward-thinking workplace valuing both patients and staff. Patient Communicators are the core of our Reception Team, acting as the hub for patients, clinicians and the community. Team members work across disciplines to uphold high standards and manage individual projects.
- Wage
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£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
-
Our patient communications team are contracted to various hours per week and those hours are spread between 8.00am-6.30pm, Monday - Friday.
A regular shift pattern will be established with the successful applicant.
38 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 5 January 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
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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
- Utilise the clinical system to ensure efficiency of the appointment system and monitor the flow of patients into the consulting and treatment rooms
- Explain practice arrangements and formal requirements to patients, ensuring procedures are followed and completed
- Accept payments and issue receipts
- Deal appropriately with messages both verbal and written
- Promote patient services, including internet access to the practice
- Maintain oversight of the waiting area at all times and keep the reception and waiting room tidy, adhering to health and safety and infection control procedures
- Dealing with problems and queries from patients, doctors, other staff, attached staff and other agencies
Where you'll work
BIDEFORD MEDICAL CENTRE
ABBOTSHAM ROAD
BIDEFORD
NORTH DEVON
EX39 3AF
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
PETROC
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
- Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard
- Bideford Medical Centre - on site
- Petroc College - for training
The apprenticeship will typically take between 12 and 18 months to complete
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE 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
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Confidentiality
Other requirements
Qualifications: • Strong computer skills • Excellent phone etiquette and communication skills • Administrative experience with a focus on organisational and clerical tasks • Typing skills with a high degree of accuracy • Previous office experience is a plus • Medical Secretaries & Receptionists: 1 year (preferred) • Or enrolled in a relevant apprenticeship training program
About this employer
Bideford Medical Centre is a GP surgery with approx 15,500 registered patients.
http://www.bidefordmc.com (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
• Company pension • Cycle to work scheme • On-site parking • Sick pay
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
- Possibility of a future position at Bideford Medical Centre
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
PETROC
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000000943.
Apply now
Closes in 22 days (Friday 12 December 2025 at 11:59pm)
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