Job summary

We are looking for a Medical Secretary to join our Ophthalmology Department at Southend Hospital.

This role offers you some great benefits including, a very generous holiday allowance, a brilliant pension and the opportunity to work with some great people.

A Medical Secretary in an Ophthalmology Department plays a central role in supporting Consultants, Clinicians, and the wider eye-care team. The job blends administrative expertise with patient-focused communication, ensuring the smooth running of clinics, correspondence, and clinical pathways.

What do you need to have to apply? You need to be enthusiastic and capable, as this is a very fast paced and demanding service. You need to be very well organised, responsive and be able to work on own initiative. Experience in a role where you have developed great keyboard skills, knowledge of clinical systems and the ability to deal with admin.

Please note that this vacancy may close early due to number of applications.

Main duties of the job

To provide high-quality administrative and secretarial support to ophthalmology consultants and clinical teams.

Processing referrals, results, and clinical correspondence in a timely manner.

Handling email enquiries from patients, GPs, optometrists, and other hospitals.Type all clinic dictation /reports/statements/other.To manage and process advice and guidance requests from GP's.

Strong typing and audio-typing skills.

Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced clinical environment.Any other duties within the role of a Medical Secretary within the grade of your post.

Ophthalmology is one of the busiest outpatient specialties in the NHS, with high patient volumes and rapid-turnover clinics. A Medical Secretary in this field needs to be particularly organised, responsive, and comfortable juggling multiple subspecialties and urgent cases.

About us

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Details

Date posted

09 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

390-NR-SUR-SO-8937

Job locations

Southend

Prittlewell Chase

Westcliff-on-Sea

SS0 0RY

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Are you looking for an exciting Medical Secretary role using your unique qualities, then we want to hear from you.

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

We look forward to your application.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.

Job description Job responsibilities Are you looking for an exciting Medical Secretary role using your unique qualities, then we want to hear from you. For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description. We look forward to your application. Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSES or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Administration/Typing qualification

Experience

Essential

• NHS Experience
• Experience of working with IT office packages
• Secretarial Experience

Desirable

• Any experience working in Ophthalmology in any setting

Skills

Essential

• Excellent written communication skills demonstrated throughout application form

Person Specification Qualifications Essential GCSES or equivalent experience Desirable Administration/Typing qualification Experience Essential NHS Experience Experience of working with IT office packages Secretarial Experience Desirable Any experience working in Ophthalmology in any setting Skills Essential Excellent written communication skills demonstrated throughout application form

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Southend

Prittlewell Chase

Westcliff-on-Sea

SS0 0RY

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Southend

Prittlewell Chase

Westcliff-on-Sea

SS0 0RY

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)