Jacqueline Bow
Edinburgh
Summary
Offering strong communication and organisational skills, with a friendly and approachable attitude. Knowledgeable about customer service, multitasking, and handling stock and monitoring all tasks in a clean and tidy environment. Ready to use and develop existing skills whilst enthusiastic about also learning new skills in the On Site Service Operative role.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Community Receptionist
NHS Lothian
Edinburgh
04.2019 - 11.2022
- Providing and maintaining a professional and effective dialogue with service users to ensure a high standard of care. Utilising listening, written and oral skills to adapt my communication skills to a level that made each person I interacted with comfortable, confident and assured with the provision of service I was delivering.
- Managing patient appointments and service users records using local systems and databases.
- Dealing with face to face and telephone enquiries from service users and co-workers. Using my initiative to prioritise and either resolve, or direct queries as appropriate, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.
- Using my initiative and common sense to resolve any problems that arose. Where appropriate, using my self-confidence in a tactful and diplomatic manner to offer solutions to rectify any system or human errors identified.
- Liaising with team members and co-workers any changes to daily working practice's. Sharing existing and newly acquired skills and knowledge willingly to portray the Organisation in a professional light.
- Using my people skills to deal with all service users exhibiting differing personality traits such as distress, aggression, confusion, etc. whilst remaining approachable, calm, compassionate and polite.
- Monitoring stationery supplies and submitting orders.
- Contributing suggestions to improve the efficiency and standards of the service provided.
- Managing many conflicting priorities, such as estate management, security protocols, booking meeting rooms etc. Keeping all information updated on databases.
- Being flexible to backfill gaps in the staff rota's, often a short notice.
Customer assistant
Boots the Chemist
Edinburgh
10.2016 - 04.2019
- Booking in the daily delivery and the operational side involved.
- Rotating stock, fast-filling shelves, date checking products.
- Efficiently counting excess stock using digital devices to ensure store stock figure's reconciled.
- Shelf monitoring stock to identify gaps and replenish low stock levels.
- Operating a checkout. Handling cash and other forms of payment.
- Using my own initiative to deal effectively with customer complaints. Resolving issues professionally and amicably in a timely manner.
- Increased sales through using and continually looking for ways to improve existing strong up-selling skills.
- Offered prompt solutions to maintain customer satisfaction.
- Listened to customers request's and helped by answering questions then suggesting suitable products to purchase that met their requirements.
- Ensured all health and safety procedures were strictly adhered to.
- Kept shop floor tidy and presentable.
- Merchandising new visual displays.
Administrative assistant
St Columba's Hospice
Edinburgh
09.2016 - 04.2017
- Assisting with filling vacancies in the Volunteer rota's for various departments.
- Contacting volunteer's by phone and email. Building a rapport with them through communicating in a way that they were comfortable with.
- Updating volunteer's personal details on a database using internal software.
- Ad-hoc admin duties.
Board member - Secretary
Dr Bell's Family Centre
Edinburgh
04.2009 - 12.2011
- Attended quarterly board meeting, taking minutes of each meeting.
- Assisting with fundraising activities.
- Many ad-hoc duties when requested to relieve pressure due to lack of staff resources. Learned many new skills by doing this.
- Suggested and organised first aid training for children carried out by adults and professionals in the local community.
Administrative Officer
The Scottish Government
Edinburgh
01.1989 - 07.2007
- Maintained a clean, organised workspace; improved productivity levels.
- Coordinated travel arrangements for staff members leading to hassle-free business trips.
- Prioritised tasks for timely completion of projects.
- Adapted quickly to changes in procedures or policies; maintained consistency in output quality despite fluctuations in workload demands.
- Handled confidential documents with utmost care; ensured data security at all times.
- Managed incoming calls for efficient handling of enquiries and drafted written correspondence in response to stake holders request's for information or assistance.
- Used Microsoft Office Suite proficiently for smooth workflow management and document creation.
- Participated actively in departmental meetings contributing valuable insights and suggestions.
- Simplified complex information via clear, concise written communication skills; eased understanding across departments.
- Assisted in arranging meetings for smoother communication channels.
- Enhanced office efficiency by managing and organising the day-to-day administrative duties.
- Improved file management system through systematic categorisation and labelling practices.
- Streamlined processes with proactive problem-solving abilities.
- Ensured prompt resolution of employee issues with keen attention to detail and empathetic listening skills; fostered a positive working environment.
- Responded promptly to emails, letters and phone calls; facilitated seamless external communication.
- Met deadlines on admin tasks to minimise disruption to colleagues and workflows.
- Created paperwork for meeting packs to enable improved understanding of business topics.
- Carried out duties with strict compliance to company standards and policies.
- Liaised with relevant parties using appropriate communication channels.
Education
O' Level -
St Thomas of Aquin's
Edinburgh 07.1983 - 10.1987
Skills
- I am a hard working enthusiastic individual who enjoys working in a methodical way, both as part of a team or individually I particularly thrive when taking full ownership of my tasks, as I take a great deal of pride in delivering my work to a very high standard I have a keen eye for detail and find this minimises errors The flip side is, it is beneficial for also quickly identifying errors which I work to quickly rectify while communicating to all parties affected when necessary, as I firmly believe honesty builds trust
- I am always civil to everyone I come into contact with in the workplace, it makes the environment more pleasant and professional
- I enjoy learning new skills I continually look for ways to develop new skills, through all different modes available I am a big believer in taking responsibility for keeping my morale up and find this is possible by remaining conscious of being proactive with professional and personal learning and growth
- I am proactive in all aspects of my work I have a high level of focus and am self-confident enough to speak up when I think there may be a more efficient way to carry out a task If I identify an error, I always use my initiative to suggest a solution where possible
- I am reliable and punctual as I am aware that by not being so it can affect others ability to carry out their duties, which in turn does not portray organisations in the most professional light
- Due to the variety of jobs I have had in the past, I have managed to keep working on improving my written and verbal skills I personally think listening is a more important skill, as it makes other forms of communication clearer and more concise
Timeline
Community Receptionist
NHS Lothian
04.2019 - 11.2022
Customer assistant
Boots the Chemist
10.2016 - 04.2019
Administrative assistant
St Columba's Hospice
09.2016 - 04.2017
Board member - Secretary
Dr Bell's Family Centre
04.2009 - 12.2011
Administrative Officer
The Scottish Government
01.1989 - 07.2007
O' Level -
St Thomas of Aquin's
07.1983 - 10.1987