Oncology Receptionist

Transformationunitgm; Bedford; On-site; GBP 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Bedford is seeking an Oncology Receptionist to manage front-line administrative services. Responsibilities include booking patients, handling enquiries, and maintaining accurate records. The position requires strong communication skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Previous reception experience is highly valued. The role is part-time, with a commitment of 20 hours per week, offering competitive pay to support patient care.

Qualifications

• Previous reception work experience.
• Ability to remain calm and professional at all times.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Welcome patients and provide information and assistance.
• Maintain accurate patient records using PiMS system.
• Make follow-up appointments for patients.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Customer Care

Organisational skills

Keyboard skills

Ability to work under pressure

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

Main area Oncology Grade 2 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 20 hours per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 13:00 - 18:00) Job ref 418-COR9744-MR

Employer Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Bedford Hospital Town Bedford Salary £24,465 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 04/01/2026 23:59

Oncology Receptionist

Job overview

The Receptionist is responsible for the reception area within the Unit. They will work as part of a team providing front‑line administrative and clerical services to the Department. This role primarily involves booking patients in and out using the hospital PiMS system, as well as undertaking other duties including answering telephone calls from internal and external callers, sending appointment notifications to patients, and booking patient transport.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Patient and Public Contact

Welcome patients, relatives, and visitors to the department, providing appropriate advice, guidance, information, and assistance.

Deal with telephone enquiries from patients and relatives in a polite, professional manner, ensuring information provided is accurate and compliant with patient confidentiality and data protection policies.

Use effective communication skills to overcome barriers such as language differences or disability.

Remain calm, composed, and professional when dealing with individuals displaying aggressive or challenging behaviour.

Demonstrate empathy when supporting members of the public who may be emotionally distressed or have received sensitive or distressing news, recognising that this may be a daily occurrence.

Inform nursing staff promptly if any patient or visitor becomes unwell while in the Unit.

Receive information from departmental managers and relay relevant updates to patients and visitors as appropriate.

Treat all individuals with dignity and respect, in a non‑judgemental manner, regardless of race, creed, gender, age, religion, personal appearance, lifestyle, or behaviour.

Maintain concentration while working in a busy, potentially noisy public area with frequent interruptions and competing demands.

Keep patients informed when clinics are running late, providing updates at least every 30 minutes.

Make follow‑up appointments for patients attending outpatient clinics within the department.

Ensure appointment details are clearly communicated to patients either by completing an appointment card at the time of booking or by arranging for an appointment letter to be sent by post.

Arrange patient transport for clinic appointments where required.

Ensure patient information is accurately maintained on Flow Manager / PiMS, including marking patients as attended and recording follow‑up appointments.

Ensure clinics are appropriately cashed up at the end of each clinic session, within one working day.

Use of PiMS (Patient Information Management System)

Update patient records accurately, ensuring comprehensive data entry including contact details such as mobile telephone numbers where available.

Use communication skills to obtain relevant and accurate patient information from patients and relatives, including demographic data such as ethnic origin.

Book follow‑up appointments for patients following treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Notify the Bookings Team of patients seen on the wards, ensuring these are recorded correctly as new patient episodes.

Report faults with PiMS and other IT systems to the IM&T Department.

Report any other equipment faults to the appropriate department or individual.

Training

Provide training and support to new and temporary reception staff as required, ensuring continuity and consistency of service delivery.

Other Duties

Undertake photocopying as required.

Manage daily internal and external post, distributing items as appropriate.

Ensure the reception and clinic areas are well maintained at all times, liaising with Domestic and Estates departments when necessary.

Receive and redirect telephone calls to the appropriate person or department.

Assist in covering absences of other reception staff as required, which may involve working additional hours.

Liaise with consultants, unit managers, and medical secretaries regarding clinic arrangements when necessary.

Manage a varied and demanding workload, prioritising tasks effectively within available resources.

Ensure prior treatment activity requirements are met, including booking blood tests and clinical reviews.

Person specification

Qualifications

– (No explicit qualifications listed)

Experience

• Previous reception work
• Customer Care – including the ability to remain calm and professional at all times
• Ability to use Microsoft Word Package
• Experience of working in a multi‑disciplinary Team
• Excellent communication skills – written and verbal
• Methodical, organised approach to work, with good attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to prioritise own workload

Skills/Knowledge

• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing routine information
• Keyboard skills
• Organisational skillsDemonstrates a knowledge of confidentiality issues and able to work within requirements of Data Protection
• Ability to adapt to change within working situation

Personal Skills

• Open/Reflective/Warm
• Enthusiastic and self‑aware
• Creative and Flexible
• Team focussed
• Reliable, Adaptable and Dependable

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Travel between hospital sites may be required.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

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.