Medical Secretary/PA

University Hospitals Sussex; Brighton; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable NHS trust in Brighton seeks a motivated Medical Secretary/PA to support the Oncology team. In this critical role, you'll handle administrative duties, manage communications, and ensure a seamless workflow within the department. Candidates should possess strong audio typing skills, relevant secretarial experience, and the ability to communicate sensitive information tactfully. This full-time position offers a yearly salary and opportunities for professional growth within a dedicated team.

Benefits

Comprehensive wellbeing programme

Supportive team environment

Opportunities for personal development

Qualifications

• Audio typing experience in a medical or administrative environment is essential.
• Strong organisational and time management skills are required.
• Candidates must be able to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Provide secretarial support to clinical teams within Oncology.
• Manage incoming telephone queries in a courteous manner.
• Organise meetings and take minutes as needed.

Skills

Excellent audio typing skills

Knowledge of secretarial procedures

Good organisational skills

Ability to communicate sensitive information

Good written and spoken English

Knowledge of medical terminology

Job description

View all our vacancies across our hospitals in Sussex. Search, find and apply for a job with us today.

Employer University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Sussex Cancer Centre, Royal Sussex County Hospital Town Brighton Salary £27,485 - £30,162 per annum/pro-rata Salary period Yearly Closing 04/01/2026 23:59

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values . We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research , we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

We require a highly motivated and experienced Medical Secretary/PA to join our secretarial team working in a friendly, positive and supportive environment.

The available posts are full time, part time hours will be considered if service needs can be met. Please note this is an office based role with successful applicants required to work on site at the Sussex Cancer Centre.

You will be working within an established secretarial team supporting the clinical team within Oncology. You will have previous secretarial experience, with knowledge of medical terminology and audio-transcribing documents. You must be able to work well under pressure and in challenging conditions, with effective organisational skills.

You will have excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to prioritise and work flexibly within the existing secretarial team.

Main duties of the job

To provide a comprehensive and efficient secretarial and administrative service to the Clinicians and nursing teams, ensuring all work is prioritised according to the demands of the service. Managing own workload and acting on an independent basis as required by an experienced Medical Secretary.

To perform a variety of client related secretarial duties and to provide efficient administrative and secretarial cross cover support.

To communicate effectively with a wide variety of people, to include GP’s, NHS clients, patients and their carers, and members of the Multidisciplinary Team.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer abuddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communication

• To deal with incoming telephone calls (from other trust staff, patients, company representatives, and external service users) in an efficient and courteous manner, making decisions as to those requiring re-routing to the Clinician or dealing with queries which may be of a highly complex nature.
• Communicating results that may be of a highly sensitive nature to service users as requested by the Consultant or other senior laboratory staff.
• Organise meetings, including venue, refreshments and invitations as required.
• Arrange and organise meetings for the medical team as required, taking minutes of these if necessary.
• To communicate highly complex information (e.g. communicating a change to hospital policy, reduced theatre lists or staff numbers etc.) to other departments within the hospital; overcoming significant barriers using a high level of interpersonal and persuasive skills.
• To take initial receipt of all incoming correspondence, telephone, written and verbal enquiries as appropriate.
• To attend meetings relevant to the role of medical secretary.
• Communicate with other Consultants, GP surgeries, Primary Care Trusts, other hospitals, patients and their carers’, managers, wards, admissions and many other departments. Arranging meetings/appointments and provide information on a day-to-day basis.
• To ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained at all times in accordance with the Data Protection Act/Caldicott, acting in accordance with Trust policies.
• To demonstrate extreme tact, diplomacy, patience and empathy in the course of considerable client/patient contact, both in person and over the telephone.
• To impart clear, concise appointment related information to clients/patients.
• To reassure anxious patients who have been recalled for further investigation and explain the procedures which will be undertaken.
• To use interpersonal skills to interact with a variety of patients and to put each individual at ease.
• To communicate appropriately with patients from different backgrounds and cultures.
• To communicate appropriately with patients who have special needs including those with physical and mental disabilities, learning difficulties and with clients who are anxious and/or upset.
• To communicate appropriately with patients who are behaving in an aggressive manner.
• To deal appropriately with messages left on the out of hours answer service.
• To communicate effectively and work collaboratively as a member of the Multidisciplinary team.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• An autonomous responsibility to manage a comprehensive and well-organised administrative and secretarial service for the department, working with limited supervision and on own initiative, prioritising own workload and organising own work to meet designated deadlines.
• Provide a complete secretarial service transcribing author dictation utilising a digital dictation voice recognition system. Audio typing correspondence relating to out-patient attendances, in-patient stays, medical reports, lectures and publications as appropriate.
• Maintain a diary on behalf of the clinical team ensuring that the Secretarial Supervisor and Patient Access Manager is notified of any planned absences in accord with the Trust’s Leave Policy. Organising and recording the consultant’s diary ensuring all paperwork is available as needed for appointments and meetings.
• Take initial receipt of all incoming correspondence, telephone calls, written and verbal enquiries from patients, their families and medical professionals within the Department, the Trust and elsewhere. Using personal knowledge and experience to assess the nature and urgency of the call, and prepare a prompt and/or immediate response when appropriate.
• Using experience and knowledge judge and prioritise before forwarding all other communications to the Consultant, medical team or other appropriate persons in preparation for action or response.
• To actively participate in the audit process in collaboration with Consultants collating patient demographic data and laboratory results into appropriate database and statistical manipulation packages (e.g. Microsoft Excel and Access).
• To comply explicitly with the Trust policies and procedures.
• To perform general clerical tasks including dealing with e-mails, photocopying and filing, maintaining office filing systems and storage of information to meet the needs of the service including uploading documents to PANDA.
• Maintain and utilise department and Trust information systems and ensure the accuracy of information held on the Patient Administration Systems.
• To provide cover for other secretarial and administrative staff, in times of absence.
• To attend departmental meetings as required and ensure that knowledge and skills are kept up to date by attending courses for personal training and development.
• To be proficient in the use of IT software, e.g. Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel. There will also be the requirement to use Trust systems and departmental databases for which training will be given.
• Comply explicitly with the Trust’s Complaints Procedure. Without delay forward to appropriate parties all formal complaints and responses. Ensure details of all written plaudits are passed on to appropriate staff.
• At no time should clinical staff work outside their defined level of competence. If the post holder has concerns regarding this they should immediately discuss this with their Manager, Supervisor or Consultant. The post holder has the responsibility to inform those supervising their duties if they are not competent to perform a duty.

People Management and Development

• To mentor new staff when necessary and undertake an active role in the induction of new staff.
• To supervise all temporary and bank secretarial staff employed within the Department, directing their work in line with Departmental guidelines.

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

Person specification

Experience/Qualifications/Skills

• Excellent audio typing skills and ability to touch type quickly and accurately
• Knowledge of a range of secretarial procedures and IT skills
• Experience in comparable administrative/secretarial role, to include experience of audio typing
• Good organisational and time management skills
• Able to receive and communicate highly sensitive information with tact
• Good written and spoken English with effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Good working knowledge of medical terminology

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early:In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Name Carol Innes Job title Secretarial Supervisor Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01273 696955 Additional information

Please contact Carol Innes to discuss the role and to organise an informal visit [e-mail] or 01273 696955 Ext. 64599