What NHS career would suit you?

Clerk

THE WORKING DAY

Your day begins at 9am at Hull Royal Infirmary. You work in the digestive-disorders outpatient reception and your first task is to look through filing systems to find today’s patient records. You arrange the records in order for each consultant and have them dispatched around the hospital. You record patient appointments and make a note of cancellations.

Later, you enter medical notes onto your computer, ensuring the history of patient care is accurately and permanently recorded.

Clerks are the engine that keeps the NHS running successfully. It’s your job to make sure our patients have the information they need for their care and our healthcare professionals can access crucial patient records. Whether based in a hospital ward, specialist department or health centre, you are often the first point of contact for a patient, booking appointments, arranging transport, chasing up records or inputting data.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE ME?

You’re organised, responsible and pay attention to detail. You’re a great multi-tasker and can stay calm under pressure. You also enjoy using a computer.

You’ll be a good communicator that is able to work with all kinds of people. Handling confidential information, you’ll need to be accurate, numerate, methodical, well-organised and willing to follow instructions and procedures.

WHAT'S NEXT?

You’ll usually need basic GCSE grades in English and maths (or the equivalent), although formal qualifications aren’t always required. Experience with computers is often essential so consider taking an IT qualification. Alternatively, there are sometimes apprenticeships in medical records/health records in the NHS.

A-Levels (or the equivalent) aren’t essential for this role but could help your application. Experience with computers is usually essential, so you might consider taking an IT qualification.

You could consider applying for an apprenticeship working in medical records. For apprenticeship and trainee vacancies, visit NHS Jobs and Gov.uk Apprenticeships.

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