Directorate Support Secretary

NHS; Crewe; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare provider in the UK seeks a Directorate Support Secretary. This position involves providing a comprehensive and confidential administrative service to the Pathology Service. Successful candidates will have strong communication skills, the ability to initiate tasks independently, and a good understanding of healthcare IT systems. Qualifications include GCSEs in English and Maths and previous secretarial experience, particularly in a Pathology department. An exciting opportunity to grow within a supportive team.

Responsibilities

• Organise workload and co-ordinate activities with Operational Services Manager.
• Provide comprehensive and confidential secretarial service.
• Exercise initiative suitable to the role.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to work on own initiative

Good interpersonal skills

Good organisational and time management skills

Understanding of Pathology and Trust IT Systems

Education

5 GCSE's or equivalent including English and Maths at Grade C or above

RSA 2 typewriting or equivalent

Knowledge of Medical Terminology

Previous secretarial experience

Previous experience of working in a Pathology Department

Job description

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Directorate Support Secretary

The closing date is 06 January 2026

University Hospitals of North Midlands is currently unable to provide sponsorship for this role. This is in accordance with UKVI guidelines and legislation, as these roles do not meet the skill nor salary threshold for sponsorship. If you hold a graduate visa, you are welcome to apply. However, it is important to note that UHNM will be unable to offer sponsorship at the end of your graduate visa. You must also have at least six months until your graduate visa expires at the start of your employment for training and operational reasons.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Pathology Administrative Team primarily based at Leighton Hospital.

The successful candidate will provide a comprehensive, quality and confidential secretarial/administrative service to the North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Service (NMCPS).

Main duties of the job

The Directorate Support Secretary will be expected to organise their workload and co‑ordinate their activities in conjunction with, and supervised by the Operational Services Manager to ensure that an efficient service is provided.

The post holder will be capable of the full administrative function within the team, and be able to step‑in to fill gaps, to ensure continuity of services.

It is essential that the post holder is able to exercise initiative suitable to the role, and is fully supportive to other colleagues in the administrative team.

About us

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. We serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. The Trust has around 1,450 inpatient beds across two sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Our 11,000 strong workforce provide emergency treatment, planned operations and medical care from Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford.

We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales. We have put together a wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Our goal is to be a world‑class centre of achievement, where patients receive the highest standards of care and the best people come to learn, work and research.

Following an NHSI initiative to establish 29 Pathology networks across England the University Hospital of North Midlands is currently working closely with Mid and East Cheshire NHS Trusts to establish a Pathology network across Staffordshire and Cheshire.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full role details.

Please contact us if you require more information about the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• 5 GCSE's or equivalent to include English and Maths at Grade C or above or equivalent.
• RSA 2 typewriting or equivalent.
• Knowledge of Medical Terminology / Previous secretarial experience.
• Previous experience of working in a Pathology Department.

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience

• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative, prioritise own work.
• Good interpersonal skills – with all grades of staff including staff outside of the laboratory especially with ward and clinical staff with regards to results.
• Demonstrate good organisational and time management skills.
• Understand Pathology and Trust IT Systems.

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.

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust