Administrative Assistant

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

Job summary

A healthcare organization seeks a compassionate and organized part-time Administrative Assistant in Colchester. The role requires excellent administration and interpersonal skills, with duties including patient interaction and comprehensive admin support. Ideal candidates will have experience in an NHS clerical role and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. This position offers 22.5 hours per week with a salary range of £24,937 to £26,598 per annum, pro rata, and comes with various staff benefits including flexible working options.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years

Excellent pension up to 14.5%

Staff discounts including NHS offers

Interest-free season ticket loans

Relocation package up to £8K if moving to Essex

Qualifications

• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook is required.
• Must demonstrate a compassionate approach to patient care.
• Experience handling potentially distressing situations is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive administration services to various departments within the Trust.
• Accurate recording of all activities across services using Trust information systems.
• Interact with patients and families, addressing their needs professionally.

Skills

Administration

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Flexibility

Communication skills

Education

Good level of general education GCSE/CSSE including Maths and English

Previous experience of working for the NHS in a clerical role

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Trust ITT Systems (PARIS/SystmOne)

Job description

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Administrative Assistant

The closing date is 11 December 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a permanent Administration Assistant based at Herrick House. As part of this role you will be required to travel to other bases to cover administration staff. This is a part time role 22.5 hours per week.

We are looking for an experienced candidate with an excellent level of administration, interpersonal and organisational skills. You will also need to be computer literate with experience of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. You will be given full training on the various systems that we use.

We are looking for someone with a positive and compassionate approach to supporting patient care. The role will also include telephone calls from clients and due to the nature of the services we carry out administrative support for these can sometimes be distressing. 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.

Main duties of the job

• 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.
• The service will require a team approach to ensure cover for absence across all services / locations.
• 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.
• The Post Holder will be required to work on a rota system to cover core office hours, where appropriate.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed

Job responsibilities

• The Administration Assistant / Ward Clerk will ensure the timely and accurate recording of all activity across services using trust information systems.
• The postholder will require a team approach to ensure cover for absence across all services / locations and the post holder will be required, on occasion, to relocate to provide this cover.
• 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.
• Record accurate messages and follow them up appropriately in accordance to department guidelines

Person Specification

Education and Qualification Experience

• Good level of general education GCSE/CSSE level to include Maths and English
• Previous experience of working for the NHS in a clerical role
• Ability to travel across sites and across Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc.

Knowledge

• Literate in IT/Computer Skills
• Good oral communication skills based on fluency on the English Language
• Ability to assist both patients and clinical colleagues with non‑clinical information relating to community appointments
• Methodical organised approach to work with good attention to details
• Ability to use Microsoft Word Packages
• Knowledge of Trust ITT Systems and Software Packages, including PARIS/SystmOne

Additional Qualities

• Ability to travel across sites and across Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc.
• Smart appearance articulate with pleasant manner and confident and calm under pressure
• Flexible approach to work
• Current driving licence

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 year per annum, pro rata for part time