Administration Assistant

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare trust in Chelmsford is seeking an Administration Assistant to provide effective communication and administration support in a clinical environment. The role demands a compassionate attitude towards patient care and the ability to handle queries from patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals. A good standard of education and NHS experience are essential for candidates. This position offers a salary ranging from £24,937 to £26,598 per annum, pro rata, based on experience.

Benefits

Season Ticket Loans

NHS discounts for staff

Excellent Training facilities

Buying and Selling annual leave scheme

Salary Sacrifice schemes

Day One Flexible Employer

Qualifications

• The candidate must maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Experience in dealing with high-risk and vulnerable clients is essential.

Responsibilities

• Handle incoming and outgoing calls to clinical staff efficiently.
• Deal face to face with patients and families seeking assistance.
• Maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive information.

Skills

Good standard of education

NHS experience

Proficiency in Microsoft Packages

Level 3 NVQ or equivalent

Job description

Go back Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Administration Assistant

The closing date is 21 October 2025

We are looking for individuals with a positive and compassionate approach to supporting patient care.

Successful candidates will be expected to work in the organisation, providing services in a professional, efficient, friendly and polite manner.

You must be able to build effective working relationships, be approachable and accessible with a flexible approach to work. This is an excellent career development opportunity for a self-motivated and enthusiastic individual who wishes to pursue an administrative career in the NHS.

The service will require a team approach to ensure cover for absence across all services / locations.

The Post Holder will be required to work on a rota system to cover core office hours, where appropriate.

Main duties of the job

You will be required to handle incoming and outgoing telephone calls to the multi-disciplinary clinical staff and managers in a polite and efficient manner. Receive and deal with telephone enquiries, responding appropriately to callers including high risk, abusive, threatening, depressed, suicidal and vulnerable clients and carers. Maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

Record accurate messages and follow them up appropriately in accordance to department guidelines.

To deal face to face with patients and families seeking further help/information and to be aware of the needs of the clients and to deal in an appropriate manner with clients who can be hostile, abusive or aggressive.

To exchange confidential and/or sensitive information between staff, patients, and carers in person or on the telephone. The unpredictability of patients means that persuasive, reassuring, empathic, skills are required at all times.

Deal with queries raised by patients, relatives, GP's or other healthcare professionals both internally and externally to the trust. These are often of a non-routine nature and involving complex issues such as medication and other clinical treatments where there are barriers to understanding due to the nature of the client group.

About us

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Job responsibilities

To operate as a centralised department providing a comprehensive administration service and functions within the Trusts Localities.

The service will ensure the timely and accurate recording of all activity across services using Trust information systems.

Post holders, as appropriate, will be required to provide administration duties on behalf of these services.

Due to the nature of the role a strong emphasis is placed on safeguarding confidentiality and this forms a pre-requisite for every Administration Assistant / Ward Clerk.

Please see attached job description for further information.

Person Specification

• Good standard of education
• NHS experience
• Microsoft Packages
• Level 3 NVQ or equivelant

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 name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

£24,937 to £26,598 a yearper annum, pro rata