Emergency Department Receptionist / Patient Coordinator

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279); Chichester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS healthcare provider in Chichester is seeking a highly motivated Emergency Department Receptionist to provide a polite and patient-focused service. The successful candidate will manage sensitive situations, demonstrating excellent communication and multitasking abilities. This role involves working on a fixed rota, including unsociable hours. Applicants must have GCSEs in English and Maths and experience in a front-facing role. Join a diverse team committed to delivering excellent care everywhere.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE standard including English and Maths.
• Experience of working with patient contact.
• Fast and accurate data skills.
• Experience in front-facing roles.
• Experience in an acute NHS trust.

Responsibilities

• Remain calm and manage difficult situations in a pressured environment.
• Complete administrative tasks while ensuring high standards.
• Work on a fixed 4-week rolling rota including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Time management

Patience

High levels of tact and empathy

Education

GCSE in English Language and Maths

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Emergency Department Receptionist / Patient Coordinator

The closing date is 14 December 2025

We are looking for a highly-motivated and enthusiastic individual to undertake the role of Emergency Department Receptionist.

You will be able to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, whose aim is to provide a polite, friendly and patient-focused service to patients attending a busy Emergency Department.

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

Main duties of the job

You will have experience of dealing with the general public and be able to manage difficult situations. Good IT and keyboard skills are essential. You will need GCSE or equivalent in English Language and Maths together with good verbal and written communication skills.

You will have to work in a logical and methodical way but be able to multi-task whilst dealing with frequent interruptions.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack

Job responsibilities

You will need to be able to remain calm in a pressured and stressful environment. A good telephone manner, confidence and a positive attitude is essential. You will be able to demonstrate sensitivity and discretion when dealing with matters that are confidential in nature.

You will be expected to complete a number of administrative tasks and, therefore, must be able to multi-skill whilst ensuring that all work is completed to a high standard.

This role forms part of a fixed rota providing cover 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You will need to be able to work days, evenings, nights, weekends and Bank Holidays, including Christmas and New Year on a fixed 4 week rolling rota. You will need to be flexible to cover colleagues shifts for annual leave and sickness, sometimes at short notice.

If you are a dynamic, friendly and adaptable personality who enjoys diversity, this could be the role for you.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Educated to GCSE standard including English and Maths
• Experience of working with patient contact
• Fast and accurate data skills
• Experience working in a front facing role
• Experience in an acute NHS trust
• Aptitude with Microsoft Outlook and Word
• Dealing with complaints

Skills

• Excellent communication skills: well developed levels of patience, and excellent listening skills.
• High levels of tact and empathy required
• Ability to be courteous and professional at all times even when under emotional pressure and in situations concerning clinical / emotional trauma
• Time management and ability to prioritise
• Be logical and methodical whilst multi-tasking when dealing with frequent interruptions.

Analytical Skills

• Confidents to escalate situations to appropriate sources of help when necessary eg senior member of staff, Security, Police

Physical Skills

• Listening and observation skills
• Must remain calm under pressure and be adaptable and versatile
• Postholders may be exposed to distressing events involving patients eg clinical and emotional trauma and should therefore have high levels of emotional tolerance.
• Must be able to maintain high levels of tact, empathy, sensitivity whilst dealing with patients and visitors

Information Resources/ IT

• Knowledge of Microsoft package ability to learn and use multiple systems

Personal Qualities and attributes

• Team player in a fast-paced work environment
• Ability to work autonomously

Other Qualities

• Postholders will be required to work a shift pattern of hours that will include working unsocial hours eg evenings, weekends, nights and Public Holidays (including Christmas and New Year)
• Maintain high standards of personal conduct, dress and personal hygiene in accordance with Trust uniform policy
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of all patient records

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

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

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)