Employer: Private Psychiatry Practice
Industry: Healthcare, Medical Administration & Psychiatry Practice Support
Location: Brackendowns, Alberton, Gauteng, South Africa (On-Site Office)
Position Type: 3-Month Fixed-Term Contract (With strong potential to become permanent)
Compensation: R8,000.00 per month (Monthly Stipend / Salary)
Posted Date: 14 October 2026
Closing Date: October 2026
About the Practice & The Reception Role
A premier private psychiatry practice based in Brackendowns, Alberton is seeking a friendly, compassionate, and well-organised Assistant Receptionist to join their patient care team.
Operating in a sensitive mental healthcare environment, the assistant receptionist will serve as the primary welcoming face of the practice, managing patient bookings, diary schedules, medical aid queries, and front-desk administration while maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality and professional empathy.
Key Responsibilities & Front-Desk Duties
The Assistant Receptionist will execute seven core administrative and patient care functions:
1. Patient Reception & Visitor Care
- Front-Desk Welcome: Greet patients, families, and visitors warmly, professionally, and respectfully upon arrival.
- Empathetic Engagement: Interact compassionately and patiently with individuals visiting a specialized mental health and psychiatry practice.
2. Appointment Scheduling & Diary Management
- Booking Coordination: Manage incoming calls, handle enquiries, schedule patient appointments, and send timely appointment confirmations.
- Diary Oversight: Keep the psychiatrist’s daily diary and consultation schedules running smoothly.
3. Medical Aid & Claims Administration
- Benefit Checks: Liaise directly with medical aid schemes regarding patient benefits, pre-authorizations, claim statuses, and account enquiries.
4. Patient Records & Data Administration
- Recordkeeping: Maintain accurate patient registration files, update digital/physical records, and handle administrative documentation.
- Confidentiality: Strictly adhere to POPIA guidelines, ensuring all sensitive medical and psychiatric patient information is handled with absolute discretion.
5. Practice Operations & General Support
- Administrative Assistance: Provide general administrative support to the resident psychiatrist and ensure the reception area remains clean, welcoming, and organized.
Candidate Profile & Minimum Entry Requirements
To qualify for consideration for this position, applicants must meet the following mandatory criteria:
- Educational Qualifications:
- Completed Grade 12 / Matric Certificate (Mandatory).
- Work Experience:
- Previous experience in a receptionist, administrative assistant, or customer-facing role (Mandatory).
- Advantageous: Prior experience working in a medical practice, dental clinic, or healthcare environment.
- Advantageous: Familiarity with medical aid schemes, claims processing, and pre-authorizations.
- Computer & Communication Skills:
- Basic computer literacy, including proficiency in email management and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Transport & Commuting:
- Must have reliable transport and the ability to commute consistently on time to Brackendowns, Alberton (Mandatory).
- Personal Attributes:
- Maturity & Professionalism: A calm, responsible, and sensible approach to workplace challenges.
- People Skills: Friendly, patient, empathetic, and approachable demeanor.
- Reliability & Discretion: Punctual, dependable, and deeply respectful of medical confidentiality.
Position Benefits
- Permanent Potential: 3-month contract structured with a clear pathway to permanent employment based on performance.
- Supportive Healthcare Environment: Gain specialized administrative experience within private psychiatric care.
- Stable Remuneration: Fixed monthly salary of R8,000.00.
Career Advice for Applicants
- Highlight Customer Service & Admin: Feature your reception, front-desk, or customer-facing experience prominently at the top of your CV.
- Mention Medical / Medical Aid Exposure: If you have previously worked with medical software, medical aids, or healthcare bookings, state it clearly in your cover summary.
- Confirm Commuting Access: Explicitly note your reliable transport and proximity to Brackendowns, Alberton.
Sample Selection & Interview Questions
Patient Empathy & Medical Administration
- Question (Handling Sensitive Patients): “How do you maintain a calm, welcoming, and professional reception environment when dealing with patients who may be anxious or distressed?”
- Question (Medical Aid Verification): “What steps do you take when verifying a patient’s medical aid benefits and obtaining pre-authorizations for specialized psychiatric consultations?”
How to Apply
To apply for this position, submit your updated CV and supporting documents directly as instructed by the practice:
- Employer: Private Psychiatry Practice
- Location: Brackendowns, Alberton, Gauteng
- Position: Assistant Receptionist (Medical Practice – Psychiatry)
- Contract Type: 3-Month FTC (Potential Permanent)
- Salary: R8,000.00 per month