UK Ministry of Defence
Dental Receptionist
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Hereford
Job Summary
At Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC) we are an inclusive, dedicated organisation working to provide outstanding care to our entitled personnel.
Do you have excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise your workload? Are you a team worker with the capability to use your own initiative? If the answer is yes, then we are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Administrative Officer Dental Receptionist to join our encouraging and welcoming team of dedicated military and civilian healthcare professionals and administrative staff located at the Dental Centre Hereford.
The vacant post is a full-time position working 37 hours per week. Part-time candidates will be considered but due to service delivery requirements it must be on a job share basis as full-time hours need to be covered.
Does this sound like the role for you? If so, we would love to hear from you!
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
The post holder will provide a friendly, efficient service to enable patients to access dental care. Main details of the role include but are not limited to:
- The initial point of contact for patients, the post holder must provide high-quality customer service both face to face, via the phone and email. Ensuring all telephone calls are managed appropriately, including comprehensive triage for patients calling in with a dental emergency and conveying this information to the Dental Officers. Ensuring all answerphone messages are actioned and responding to enquiries to the practice.
- The duties of the post include arranging appointments and recalls for all entitled personnel ensuring maximum use of clinical time to meet Defence Primary Health Care (Dental) (DPHC (D)) targets. Effective management of the clinical diaries, booking patient appointments as requested by the clinicians. Checking patients in as they arrive, managing late arrivals and short notice cancellations through good communication with the clinical team and rearranging patient appointments where required.
- The post holder will provide administrative support for the surgeries, Senior Dental Officer and the Practice Manager. The post holder will work with the team to complete routine administration tasks at the dental centre, including monitoring the group email box, answering basic email queries and highlighting any others to the practice manager. Packaging items (e.g. lab work) for posting and recording this accurately through the digital app. Managing postal deliveries through the Garrison post room, escorting visitors to the dental centre and scanning signed documents onto electronic patient records.
Role
The post holder will provide a friendly, efficient service to enable patients to access dental care. Main details of the role include but are not limited to:
- The initial point of contact for patients, the post holder must provide high-quality customer service both face to face, via the phone and email. Ensuring all telephone calls are managed appropriately, including comprehensive triage for patients calling in with a dental emergency and conveying this information to the Dental Officers. Ensuring all answerphone messages are actioned and responding to enquiries to the practice.
- The duties of the post include arranging appointments and recalls for all entitled personnel ensuring maximum use of clinical time to meet Defence Primary Health Care (Dental) (DPHC (D)) targets. Effective management of the clinical diaries, booking patient appointments as requested by the clinicians. Checking patients in as they arrive, managing late arrivals and short notice cancellations through good communication with the clinical team and rearranging patient appointments where required.
- The post holder will provide administrative support for the surgeries, Senior Dental Officer and the Practice Manager. The post holder will work with the team to complete routine administration tasks at the dental centre, including monitoring the group email box, answering basic email queries and highlighting any others to the practice manager. Packaging items (e.g. lab work) for posting and recording this accurately through the digital app. Managing postal deliveries through the Garrison post room, escorting visitors to the dental centre and scanning signed documents onto electronic patient records.
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Person specification
Person Specification
- Friendly, approachable, and professional manner.
- Strong communication skills and a team player.
- High level of integrity and discretion.
- Positive and patient-focused attitude.
- Reliable and punctual.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work.
Essential Criteria
- Previous experience in a reception, administration, customer service, or healthcare-facing role.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organisational and time management skills with attention to detail.
- Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
- Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic record systems.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £27,866, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,072 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- Free on-site parking
- Access to gymnasium and swimming pool
- Access to the Defence Discount Card that offers discount in many shops and online shopping
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
Probation Period
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Travel Expenses
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Pay Review
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Smoking Policy
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
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Recruitment Satisfaction Survey
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.
Personal Statement
Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (500 Word Max)
At sift, Candidates will be assessed against their CV and Statement of suitability and the following:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
At Interview, Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decision
- Communicating and Influencing
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. See our vetting charter.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Nationality Requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Contact Point for Applicants
Job Contact
- Name : Civilian Workforce Adviser
- Email : RECRUITING-GROUP-MAILBOX-HFD
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