Administrative Assistant - Nursing Services

NHS National Services Scotland; Kirkwall; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Orkney is seeking a skilled administrator to provide comprehensive secretarial and administrative support to the Deputy Director of Nursing and Midwifery/Lead Midwife and Clinical Education Facilitator at The Balfour. You will manage enquiries, prioritise communications, coordinate meetings, take minutes, maintain databases, support project work and analyse information to aid service delivery.

The role is full-time (36 hours), permanent, based in Orkney with a Band 2 salary and Distant

Qualifications

• Experience providing high-quality administrative and secretarial support, ideally in a healthcare setting.
• Educated to SVQ3 level in Administration or equivalent knowledge/experience.
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage enquiries and prioritise communications.
• Coordinate meetings and take minutes.
• Maintain databases and support project work.
• Analyse information to aid service delivery.

Skills

Organisational skills

Discretion

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office

Database management

Medical terminology

Education

SVQ3 in Administration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database management

Job description

About the Organisation:

NHS Orkney is committed to delivering excellent care to our 22,000 residents. Whether you’re new to the NHS or bringing experience from elsewhere, your skills will make a real difference.

Our modern healthcare facility, The Balfour, brings together inpatient care, emergency services, outpatient clinics, diagnostics, GP practices and the Scottish Ambulance Service. We’re also investing in services across our outer isles, ensuring high-quality care reaches every corner of Orkney.

We are guided by our core values that shape everything we do – Open and honest, Respect and Kindness – from how we care for our patients to how we support each other as colleagues.

About Orkney:

With over 70 islands – 20 of them inhabited – Orkney offers a unique blend of natural beauty, close-knit community and an opportunity for adventure. From dramatic coastlines and rare wildlife to rich cultural traditions and active lifestyles, it’s a place where compassion thrives and every day brings something new. Regularly named one of the UK’s best places to live, Orkney offers a lifestyle that’s both fulfilling and inspiring.

The Position:

This varied and rewarding role provides comprehensive secretarial and administrative support to the Deputy Director of Nursing and Midwifery/Lead Midwife and Clinical Education Facilitator, helping to ensure the smooth running of services. Acting as a key point of contact, you will manage enquiries, prioritise communications, coordinate meetings, take minutes, maintain databases, support project work, and analyse information to aid service delivery. The post requires excellent organisational skills, discretion, and the ability to manage a wide range of administrative responsibilities in a busy healthcare environment.

The Candidate:

You will have experience in providing high-quality administrative and secretarial support, ideally within a healthcare environment. Educated to SVQ3 level in Administration, or with equivalent knowledge and experience, you will possess excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills. Confident in the use of Microsoft Office applications and database management, you will be able to manage competing priorities, work with a high degree of accuracy, and handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion. Knowledge of medical terminology and previous NHS experience would be advantageous.

Location, Working Pattern and Contract Duration:

This post will be based at The Balfour

The successful candidate will work: Full Time 36 hours per week

This post is Permanent

It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NHS Orkney.

Benefits and Salary:

Did you know NHS Scotland salaries are higher than those in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

The salary for this post is Band 2 and if residing on Orkney, you’ll also receive a Distant Islands Allowance of £1,719 pro rata per annum, adding extra value to your rewarding career with us.

NHS Orkney also offers an attractive pension scheme, wide range of work life balance policies, employee assistance programme and various discounts to both local and national retailers.

Further Information:

For further guidance on the recruitment process and tips for creating a strong application, please refer to our Candidate Application Pack.

If there are additional requirements you would like to request, please contact [e-mail]

To find out more about this opportunity please contact Michelle Mackie, Lead Midwife and Interim Deputy Director of Nursing on [e-mail]

This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check.

NHS Orkney is an equal opportunities employer committed to advancing equality and particularly welcomes applications from groups of people currently underrepresented within the workforce. We are a committed participant in the Disability Confident Leader Scheme and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for our vacancies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third-party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies.

Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.

Please note this advert may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Interview Date: Monday 19th October 2026