Sarah Parkins

I am an ambitious and highly organised individual who has worked in a variety of administrative positions. My background in both the legal and medical sectors gives me great experience and knowledge in a range of fields. I am a discreet but confident person.

I am used to working with confidential data and maintaining strong links to other professionals. You can be safe in the knowledge that I always achieve excellent results. I am looking for a challenging role where my hard work and commitment can be put to good use.

Virtual PA at Self Employed (2020-01 – Present)

I am currently working as a remote virtual PA and have worked for a variety of clients. These include expert witnesses in the fields of Psychology, Dentistry, Intensive Care and Cardiology, providing clinic management services. I have extensive experience as a medical secretary in a variety of specialties and have worked in a remote capacity for private practices.

I also work for a University offering MSc and PhD programmes to dental professionals. I support the Dean, the students and am compliance lead. These roles involve diary management, complex document production, arranging travel, liaising with other professionals, customer service, as well as a host of other duties.

I love the variety of this role and the way it enables me to put my excellent organisational skills to good by juggling multiple responsibilities. I aim to deliver great results to my clients with clear communication.

Office Manager at Dr Anthony Halperin Ltd - Dental Expert Witness (2014-12 – 2020-01)

I worked as an Office Manager and Executive Assistant for a Dental Expert Witness, Arbitrator and Managing Director. He was incredibly busy and had a very large client base. Overall, my role was very responsible and varied. The main responsibilities included:

• Managing and training a small team
• Managing the reception area and general customer service
• Keeping records up to date
• Typing up complex legal documents
• Answering the phone
• Organising diaries
• Prioritising workflow and caseload, including emails
• Organising incoming and outgoing mail
• Preparing court forms
• Attending court
• Performing legal research
• Making appointments with clients
• Accounts (using Xero), managing costs and invoicing
• Debt Collection and Credit Control
• Booking travel/arranging hotels
• Providing agendas and minuting meetings
• Liaising with other solicitors, medical agencies and clients

Senior Medical Secretary at Barnet Hospital (2012-04 – 2014-12)

I worked for three consultants, two of whom were vascular surgeons and one was a general surgeon. This was an exceptionally busy and complex role. My responsibilities included:

• Typing letters and reports
• Dealing with correspondence
• Updating patient records
• Making appointments for patients
• Managing diaries for senior medical staff and maintaining waiting lists of patients awaiting treatments/surgery
• Answering telephone queries, giving information or passing messages to colleagues and general customer service
• Maintaining a filing system
• Preparing and circulating meeting agendas and notes
• Booking meeting venues
• Ordering stocks of stationery and other supplies

Senior Medical Secretary at Royal Free Hospital (2010-04 – 2012-04)

I worked within the cardiology specialty and provided administrative support to two consultant cardiologist's. My job was very varied and busy. My responsibilities closely resembled that of my work at Barnet Hospital. I initially also worked for the paediatric occupational therapy team and the paediatric physiotherapy team. This role was very complex as I was balancing work in three different locations.

Medical Secretary at Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust (2004-09 – 2010-04)

This was the first role I had following qualifying as a medical secretary. This gave me valuable experience, practical skills and built my confidence to provide an excellent service.

NVQ Level 3 in Medical Secretaries

GCSE