Medical Secretary – Consultant Dermatologist
To provide a professional, efficient and confidential secretarial and administrative service to a Consultant Dermatologist within a private healthcare setting.
The role involves managing patient enquiries and appointments, coordinating consultations and procedures, supporting clinical administration, and maintaining effective communication with patients, consultants and private hospitals.
Key responsibilities
- Manage the Consultant Dermatologist’s diary, including new patient consultations, follow-ups, procedures and clinics.
- Handle telephone and email enquiries from patients, GPs, hospitals, insurers and other healthcare professionals.
- Arrange and confirm patient appointments and provide relevant pre-appointment information.
- Prepare clinic lists, patient documentation and correspondence.
- Process referrals and ensure appropriate clinical information is available ahead of appointments.
- Type and distribute consultation letters, reports and other medical correspondence accurately and promptly.
- Liaise with private hospitals, clinics, laboratories, pathology departments and other healthcare providers.
- Coordinate investigations, biopsies, histology results and follow-up appointments where required.
- Deal with private medical insurance companies, including obtaining authorisations and confirming patient eligibility.
- Provide patients with information regarding fees, appointments, insurance requirements and administrative procedures.
- Maintain accurate and confidential patient records in accordance with GDPR and relevant healthcare requirements.
- Monitor outstanding correspondence, investigations, results and follow-up actions.
- Process invoices, payments and administrative paperwork where required.
- Support the Consultant with general administrative duties and practice management.
- Maintain a high standard of professionalism, discretion and patient confidentiality at all times.
Essential skills and experience
- Previous experience in a medical secretarial, healthcare administration or private practice environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organisation and diary-management abilities.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
- Professional and empathetic manner when dealing with patients.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and medical/practice management systems.
- Ability to prioritise workload and work independently.
- Experience communicating with consultants, hospitals, GPs and private medical insurers.
Desirable
- Previous experience supporting a Consultant Dermatologist or within dermatology.
- Knowledge of dermatology terminology and procedures, including biopsies, excisions, histology and skin cancer pathways.
- Experience with private medical insurance providers.
- Experience working with private hospitals or outpatient clinics.
Personal qualities
The successful candidate should be organised, discreet, approachable, proactive, calm under pressure and patient-focused, with the ability to build a strong working relationship with the Consultant Dermatologist and provide an excellent patient experience.
