Recruitment

Interested in employment opportunities? We will regularly update this section of our website with any specific roles available in the Durham Dales locality.

Durham Dales Practices have chosen to federate as Durham Dales Health. The stated intent of the Federation is to work together with GP Medical Practices to provide high quality, cost effective primary healthcare services across the Durham Dales locality.

Salary

£22,366 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

U0041-25-0001

Job locations

Unit 51 Innovation Hse, Longfield Rd

South Church Enterprise Park

Bishop Auckland

Durham

DL14 6XB

 

The closing date is 28th March 2025

Job summary

This is a role established to support the organisation in carrying out day-to-day activities and to provide an element of cover or additional resource to our partner organisations as required.

The post-holder will work closely with, and under the direction of, the management team to improve standards across a wide range of organisational activities. The position is challenging and suitable for someone who wishes to demonstrate initiative with a desire to develop their own skills further in our rapidly growing organisation.

 

The post-holder may be required to provide reception and/or administrative support to member practices on either a short or long term basis to cover absence, recruitment gaps or sickness or a long term placement/job share with member practices.

 

Main duties of the job

  • Offer general assistance to the team and project a positive and friendly image to patients and other visitors, either in person or via the telephone
  • Ensure an effective and efficient service is provided to patients and any other visitors
  • Receive, assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professional in a courteous, efficient and effective way
  • Undertake a variety of administrative duties to assist in the smooth running of the organisation
  • To have a thorough knowledge of all procedures and to work in accordance with written protocols
  • Report risks, significant problems and issues to the relevant person ensuring appropriate reporting procedures are followed
  • Promote Equality and Diversity and Health and Safety of self and others
  • Promote and maintain DDHF Core Values
  • Any other duties which may be required from time to time
  • Using judgment and communication skills, ensure that patients with no prior appointment but who need urgent consultation are seen in a logical and non-disruptive manner

 

About us

A group of 12 GP practices across Durham Dales got together, looking for a solution to help them provide the care patients needed, share resources and ideas, and be prepared for the challenges the NHS would face in the future.The answer they came up with was a formal collaboration between the dozen practices: the Durham Dales Health Federation.DDHFs founding principal is to work together to provide high-quality, cost effective primary healthcare services.That means providing a range of services that all GP practices in the area can use to help look after patients.We employ a range of clinical staff pharmacists, nurses, emergency care practitioners and social prescribing link workers as well as non-clinical, administration support staff.

DDHF are able to offer an NHS pension and lenght of service holidays. Other benefits are available on our website

 

Job description

Job responsibilities

The administrator will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible. They will:

  • Adapt to and support any changes that are implemented to improve the service
  • At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner
  • Demonstrate their commitment by the efficient completion of all tasks allocated
  • Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations
  • Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment
  • Ensure building security; have thorough knowledge of doors/windows/alarm

 

Administration

Providing administration/ reception support to the wider DDHF team and our member Practices

Inputting data

Document management

Ensure urgent correspondence and items of relevance are immediately brought to the attention of the Managing Director, Chair and Directors and respond to correspondence, as appropriate

Circulate information to members of the wider DDHF team as required

Develop and maintain systems and update information to be shared between DDHF & member practices

Comply with any internal or external audits where required

  • Coordinate IDS Locality meetings, attend and take minutes/actions
  • Coordinate IDS mutli-disciplinary team meetings, and attend IDS Coordinator meetings
  • Open and appropriate distribution of all postal correspondence
  • Minute DN coordination, SPLW/CPN, SPLW/HCC Team meetings and ad hoc meeting as required e.g. internal community hospital meetings, EHCP meetings
  • Ad hoc organisation of corporate events for DDHF
  • Ad hoc circulation of communications to Practices as required

 

Personal/Professional development

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by DDHF as part of this employment, such training to include:

Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development

Taking responsibility for their own development, learning, and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others

 

Confidentiality

  • In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.
  • In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.
  • Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the organisation may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the organisational policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

 

Communication

The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

  • Communicate effectively with other team members, patients and carers
  • Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly

 

Person Specification

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • IT literate with Microsoft Office Word & Excel
  • Good English language, numeracy and communication skills
  • Pleasant disposition, helpful and effective telephone manner
  • Professional approach to appearance and conduct
  • Awareness and maintenance of confidentiality
  • Accurate and methodical in completing tasks.
  • Proactive and flexible with good time management.
  • Ability to listen, to discuss and inform clearly
  • Able to prioritise effectively
  • Ability to use own initiative but seek help and support when needed
  • Able to work in a team
  • Ability to record in writing both clearly and accurately

Desirable

  • Minute taking skills
  • Meeting coordination skills

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of admin/ reception role
  • Experience of data entry
  • Experience of Diary management

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of SystmOne
  • Previous experience of working in primary care

Qualifications

Essential

  • 5 GCSEs/O levels including English and Maths at grade C minimum (or equivalent)

Desirable

  • NVQ Admin level 3/4

Other

Essential

  • Reliable
  • Positive can do attitude
  • Ability to travel independently within the Durham Dales Locality.
  • Able to provide cover at different bases within the County Durham Locality at short notice

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Salary

£44,101 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

U0041-25-0000

Job locations

Unit 51 Innovation Hse, Longfield Rd

South Church Enterprise Park

Bishop Auckland

Durham

DL14 6XB

 

The closing date is 21st March 2025

Job summary

This is an opportunity for a motivated individual to enhance their career in primary healthcare by joining the DDHF Management Team as Head of Business Services. You will work as part of the Management and Leadership Team providing support to the Primary Care Networks (PCNS), GP Practices and the staff that we employ.

The ideal candidate will have experience working in Primary Care in a similar role, and will use their existing skills to support the growing organisational requirements.

You will work in collaboration with a range of other teams and stakeholders. Effective communication skills are essential.

The job will provide you with a range of different experiences and challenges, alongside diverse learning opportunities.

 

Main duties of the job

Support the Chief Operating Officer, Leadership Team and PCN clinical directors in the day to day running and development of DDHF and PCNs

Responsible for central coordination of Governance, Compliance including Human Resources support for Teams.

Support the Chief Operating Officer and PCN clinical directors in identifying and developing new business opportunities

Support the Leadership and Management team in the day to day management of their functions and teams, and provide contractual and broader input where required, working closely with PCN clinical directors

Day to day management and supervision of your direct reports.

Ensure that all governance and compliance obligations, including monitoring, are fulfilled. Including HR, CQC and Health & Safety

Lead on the management of complaints for DDHFs commissioned and internal services.

Lead on DDHFs engagement and utilisation of professional services, including legal and insurance brokerage, and ensure that these provide value for money

Produce internal and external communications material as dictated by DDHFs communications and PR plans, and contribute to the development of these

Undertake specific assigned tasks, project support, or development work which may arise during any future changes to the Federation, its Member Practices, Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and PCNs

Act as on call duty manager as and when required (on shared rota basis)

 

About us

A group of 12 GP practices across Durham Dales got together, looking for a solution to help them provide the care patients needed, share resources and ideas, and be prepared for the challenges the NHS would face in the future.The answer they came up with was a formal collaboration between the dozen practices: the Durham Dales Health Federation. DDHFs founding principal is to work together to provide high-quality, cost effective primary healthcare services.That means providing a range of services that all GP practices in the area can use to help look after patients.We employ a range of clinical staff pharmacists, dispensers, nurses, emergency care practitioners and social prescribing link workers as well as non-clinical, administration support staff.

 

Benefits DDHF can offer; paid mileage. We work very closely as a team & where possible we can be very flexible. NHS pension. A car lease scheme which is transferable. We fully support training & development. Regular 1-2-1 support & appraisal. Cycle to work Scheme (salary sacrifice bike). Dress Down Friday(office workers). Complimentary refreshments. Free Car Park, Health service discounts, Immunisations offered, Eye tests reimbursed, overtime is occasionally available.

 

Job description

Job responsibilities

Specific Tasks/ Responsibilities

  • Effective and efficient contract management and review of DDHF and PCN commissioned services
  • Provide Support to strategic meetings as and when required – this will include but is not limited to Board Meetings, PCN meetings, Integrated Neighbourhood Team Meetings
  • Development and improvement of new and existing services
  • Development of robust contract and service mobilisation plans
  • Assisting in the management and mitigation of organisational risk
  • Liaison with appropriate external organisations, including Member Practices, PCNs and commissioning organisations
  • Monitoring of publicly procured tenders and development of bids. Maintain awareness of relevant procurement legislation
  • Attendance at appropriate and relevant meetings, including service contract reviews

Communication

  • Communicate effectively with stakeholders, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating
  • Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication
  • Maintain effective communication within the PCN and with external stakeholders

Delivering a quality service

  • Ensure compliance with any internal or external audits, including CQC requirements
  • Ensure the development, maintenance and implementation of robust contract performance and management systems and processes
  • Assist in identifying and coordinating the implementation of improvements to quality and performance management systems and processes

Team working

  • Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time
  • Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working
  • Learn to delegate clearly and appropriately
  • Learn to prioritise your own workload
  • Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery
  • Discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care

Learning and development

  • Take responsibility for your own learning and performance
  • Undertake mentorship for more junior staff, assessing competence against set standards
  • Disseminate learning and information gained to other team members in order to share good practice and inform others about current and future developments eg courses and conferences

Equality and diversity

  • Identify patterns of discrimination and take action to overcome this and promote diversity and equality of opportunity
  • Enable others to promote equality and diversity in a non-discriminatory culture
  • Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights

Quality Management

  • Ensure compliance with any internal or external audits, including CQC requirements
  • Ensure the development, maintenance and implementation of robust contract performance and management systems and processes
  • Assist in identifying and coordinating the implementation of improvements to quality and performance management systems and processes

Administration

  • Ensure the contract performance administration of DDHF and PCN commissioned services
  • Ensure appropriate and timely contract performance reports and returns as required
  • Document Management in accordance with DDHF policies and procedures
  • Ensure urgent correspondence and items of relevance are immediately brought to the attention of the Chief Operating Officer, Chair and Directors and respond to correspondence, as appropriate
  • Ensure circulation of contract, business and service development information and communications to members of the Federation, PCNs, stakeholders and partner organisations as required
  • Maintain up to date and efficient data and IT function office systems

General Responsibilities

  • Ensure strict confidentiality of correspondence, reports, meetings and verbal communications as appropriate
  • Adapt to and support any changes that are implemented to improve the services
  • At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner
  • Demonstrate their commitment by the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them
  • Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations
  • Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment
  • This job description is illustrative and duties may be assigned commensurate with capability and needs of the business.

 

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent within an business related qualification
  • Management qualification or equivalent experience
  • Evidence of working at degree level through formal qualification and/or training and CPD or equivalent experience
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Project management qualification or experience
  • H HR Qualification or experience

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of the scope
  • of GP Federations and Primary Care Networks team and how the organisation contributes to local and national policy and the wider health economy
  • Knowledge of up to date HR policies
  • Knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate person

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in teams under appropriate supervision as part of ateam
  • Experience of providing and receiving complex, sensitive information

Desirable

  • Experience working in a primary care setting

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).