CAU Ward Clerk/ Receptionist

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust; Poole; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

University Hospitals Dorset invites applications for a Ward Clerk/Receptionist within the CAU and Paediatric reception teams at Poole Hospital. The post supports CAU and Paediatric Reception, covering for absences to ensure smooth ward operations and patient flow.

The role focuses on first contact with patients and families, co-ordination of follow-up appointments, and accurate data handling for the ward and outpatient pathways. Hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10:00–18:00.

Qualifications

• Competent use of IT skills.
• Ability to work under pressure with predictable interruptions.
• GCSE or Equivalent in English and Numeracy.
• ECDL.

Responsibilities

• Receive all patients, families and visitors to the department with a helpful courteous and dignified manner at all times.
• Deal with enquiries from patients, relatives, visitors, staff, GP’s or Health Visitors from within and outside the hospital and coordinate to relevant source.
• To advise the Outpatient Department of the need for follow-up appointments, following a child's discharge from the Ward, including accurate patient data.
• To receive telephone calls and take accurate messages for the ward staff.

Skills

IT skills

Work under pressure

Positive attitude

Healthcare environment

Adaptable

Education

GCSE English and Numeracy

ECDL

Job description

Main area Admin Clerical Grade 2 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 22.5 hours per week (Hours of Work 10.00-18.00 Thursday, Friday & Saturday) Job ref 153-SP06834-A

Department name 01. UHD - General Recruitment Site Poole NHS Foundation Trust Town Poole Salary £25,272 pa/pr Salary period Yearly Closing 22/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 01/12/2026

As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.

We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £500m transformation programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.

We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.

We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.

At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.

As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.

Job overview

University Hospital Dorset are looking for a CAU Ward Clerk/ Receptionist.

Job overview:

• To provide support to CAU and Paediatric Reception and cover for absences.
• To provide an efficient ward clerk service to the Children’s Unit.
• To provide an efficient and effective elective/emergency admissions service for the Children’s Unit.

Base Location: Poole Hospital and will move to RBH.

Interview: 1st December

Main duties of the job

• Receive all patients, families and visitors to the department with a helpful courteous and dignified manner at all times.
• Deal with any enquiries from patients, relatives, visitors, staff, GP’s or Health Visitors
• from within and outside the hospital and co-ordinate to relevant source
• To advise the Outpatient Department of the need for follow-up appointments,
• following a child's discharge from the Ward, including accurate patient data
• To receive telephone calls and take accurate messages for the ward staff.

Working for our organisation

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

UHD has active networks including Women’s, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see job description for the full details of this position. The role of Ward Clerk/Reception is varied and training will be given. As the first point of contact for our patients, a cheerful disposition and a positive attitude is a must have.

The hours of work are Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10.00-18.00.

Person specification

Experience

• Competent use of IT skills
• Ability to work under pressure with predictable interruptions
• GCSE or Equivalent in English and Numeracy
• ECDL

Skills

• Positive and caring attitude
• Interest in working in the healthcare sector/ NHS environment
• Adaptable to different situations

Please note:

Staff recruited are expected to be available to work flexibly across all our Trust locations to meet service demands.

This advert may be closed early if sufficient applications are received.

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst this vaccination is not a condition of employment we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.

Internal Candidates: staff employed prior to merger who voluntarily change jobs will be appointed to UHD terms and conditions.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.