Communications Operator

NHS Trust; Bodmin; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Telephonist/Switchboard Operator to deliver a central 24/7 communications service across Cornwall's health community. The role requires clear communication and the ability to handle high call volumes.

You will work shifts to support out-of-hours operations, with priority given to professional, courteous service. Prior NHS switchboard experience and IT proficiency are desirable.

Qualifications

• Good basic education, demonstrating high levels of communication skills.
• NVQ 3 in Business Administration or equivalent experience.
• Computer skills to CLAIT/ECDL level or equivalent.
• Knowledge and experience of office systems and Microsoft Office suite applications i.e., MS Access Database, Excel Spreadsheets & Teams.
• Previous experience of dealing with the Public/Customer Service.
• Previous experience of operating a BT ARC Switchboard within NHS.
• Administrative Experience of Working in a Complex Office Environment within the NHS.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive 24/7 switchboard service to Trust managers and users.
• Take, route and relay calls accurately to appropriate teams and individuals.
• Maintain high levels of customer service and professional communication.
• Support out-of-hours and on-call rotas with flexible working arrangements.

Skills

Communication skills

Switchboard experience

Public service

Keyboard skills

Office systems

Education

NVQ 3 in Business Administration or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

MS Access

Excel

Teams

Job description

Thank you for your interest in joining us at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

We pride ourselves in striving to be an employer of choice.

Strategic Themes

Great Care

• Care based on what matters to people.
• Care provided at home or close to home.
• Improvement through learning, research and innovation.
• Prevention and alternatives to hospital.

Great Organisation

• Buildings that support health and wellbeing.
• Technology enabled care.
• Care teams are supported by responsive corporate services.
• Safe, efficient, effective and productive.

Great People

• A place people love to work and feel valued.
• Living our values with staff (all voices count).
• Attract, grow and develop talent.
• Leaders with compassion, who continuously learn and listen.

Great Partner

• Encourage and enable effective partnerships.
• Joined-up community services.
• Work with others to maximise workforce opportunities.
• Reduce our impact on the environment.

At the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that’s job share, part time or another flexible pattern. In addition, although the role advertised may have a ‘home’ office base indicated, we remain committed to supporting flexibility around workplace locations. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Job overview

The Switchboard service is a critical frontline service based at Bodmin Hospital providing a comprehensive, efficient, and quality based communication service across the health community in Cornwall, managing over 240,000 calls per annum.
The service supports the Trust, NHS Kernow (KCCG) and One Cornwall (Social Services) with forwarding of calls and message handling in addition to approximately 30 teams/services within the Trust. It is a vital role in assisting out of hours services and holding the operational ‘on call’ rotas.
In addition the Switchboard is the first point of contact for a range of emergency lines-fire phone, intruder alarms, Sowenna staff attack, Bodmin Hospital security CCTV and more recently the Urgent Crisis Referral, as well as the co-ordination of several services such as Cornwall Blood Bikes.
The service is provided 24 hours, 365 days per year and the successful candidate must be prepared to work on rotas’ across these timeframes, which will include weekends, bank holidays and lone working at night, flexibility is essential.
You must have previous experience of dealing with the general public and possess excellent communication skills both written and verbal and also be able to adapt quickly to changes.
Previous experience as a telephonist and knowledge of office systems with keyboard and computer skills are desirable.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be given a minimum of 3 months training to bring them up to speed with the diversity of the services which use the Switchboard.
We will ensure you are confident in shifts before you move onto any out of hours working, so you are well equipped to carry out this interesting and varied role. There are shifts where enhanced rates are applied, which will boost your hourly rate when working out of hours.
The post holder will work shifts to provide a comprehensive communication service to all Trust Managers, Department heads and users of the service.

The post holder will at all times be courteous and attentive to customers both internally and external to the NHS Health Community within Cornwall.

Working within the Communications Department providing a comprehensive central communication service across the whole of Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust and the Health Community.

Staffing an efficient and quality based communications service over 24 hours, 365 days per year.

Staffing a reception service to Bodmin Hospital.

Working for our organisation

We’re an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people’s physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you’ll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 5,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people’s homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 10 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increase the numbers of people who use out services.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see ‘supporting documents’.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications and Relevant Experience

• Good basic education, demonstrating high levels of communication skills
• NVQ 3 in Business Administration or equivalent experience
• Computer skills to CLAIT/ECDL level or equivalent
• Knowledge and experience of office systems and Microsoft Office suite applications ie, MS Access Database, Excel Spreadsheets & Teams
• Previous experience of dealing with the Public/Customer Service
• Previous experience of operating a BT ARC Switchboard within NHS
• Administrative Experience of Working in a Complex Office Environment within the NHS

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of Health and Safety

At Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust we are proud to prioritise the development of our people. To support this, the following opportunities are available:

• Career conversations and individual development plans for succession planning and talent management
• Protected CPD time for registered staff
• Access to a dedicated central development fund supporting CPD for all staff
• Leadership and Management development programmes
• Coaching and mentoring opportunities
• A full clinical induction programme for operational skills
• Access to a care certificate programme for our band 1-4 clinical staff
• A bespoke and robust preceptorship programme to support newly qualified staff

Being part of a successful NHS Foundation Trust brings a portfolio of rewards and benefits for our staff. These include:

• Suite of health and wellbeing initiatives to support our colleagues physical and mental health
• Free access to individual HARP portfolios to support revalidation for nursing staff
• Free DBS checks where required
• Discounts available from retailers, UK hotels and main attractions
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• The Trust reimburses all application costs for staff eligible to apply for EU settlement status.

The Trust reserves the right to close this advert once a sufficient number of applications have been submitted. It is encouraged that you complete the application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

If you are successful at the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process you will be contacted via TRAC.jobs email regarding interview details.

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust welcomes and values individuals with lived experience of mental or physical ill health joining our workforce. We aspire to have a culture that develops, promotes and supports lived experience roles - throughout the organisation.

If you are successful, you agree to Occupational Health accessing your health records from your current or previous employer to check the status of your inoculations and screening tests. Appointments are subject to full three year satisfactory references therefore please ensure you include correct contact details for your nominated referees including email addresses.

Any general recruitment queries, please contact our recruitment team on 01208 834644

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The Health Jobs UK website has jobs from numerous employers, within health and care across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute medical, surgical and specialist services to a population of around 500,000 which can increase significantly during the busy holiday periods.