Emergency Department Ward Clerk

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

Benefits offered by this job

Distant Islands Allowance

NHS Pension Scheme

Work-life balance policies

Discounts to local and national Retail

Job summary

NHS Orkney is seeking a capable Administrative/Personal Assistant to support the Senior Charge Nurse and wider multidisciplinary team at The Balfour, Kirkwall. The role involves coordinating admin tasks, maintaining records, and delivering a professional reception service.

The successful candidate will have National 5 Admin qualifications or equivalent experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage a varied workload in a busy healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• Basic Administration qualification at National 5 level or equivalent experience.
• Proven ability to provide high-quality personal assistance and administrative support.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills enabling courteous service to patients and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive administrative and personal support to the Senior Charge Nurse/Department Head and multidisciplinary team.
• Coordinate administrative activities and maintain accurate records to support service delivery.
• Serve as a first point of contact with a professional and welcoming reception when required.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Organisation skills

Public-facing experience

Education

National 5 Admin Qualification

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.

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

As a key member of the clinical administration team, you will provide comprehensive administrative and personal support to the Senior Charge Nurse/Department Head and the wider multidisciplinary team. The role is central to the effective organisation and day-to-day operation of the clinical area, ensuring administrative processes run smoothly and efficiently. Working closely with clinical staff, you will coordinate a range of administrative activities, maintain accurate records, support service delivery, and act as a first point of contact by providing a professional and welcoming reception service where required. This is a varied role that requires excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to build positive working relationships within a busy healthcare environment.

The Candidate

You will have a Basic Administration qualification at National 5 level, or equivalent relevant experience, together with a proven ability to provide high-quality personal assistance and comprehensive administrative support. You will be organised, professional and able to manage a varied workload while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail. Experience of dealing with members of the public is essential, and you will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to provide a courteous and effective service to patients, visitors and colleagues alike.

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 Fixed-Term for 12 months to cover maternity leave. 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

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during your application. If there are additional requirements you would like to request, please contact [e-mail].
To find out more about this opportunity please contact Lindsey Guthrie or Graham Johnston, Senior Charge Nurses by email on [e-mail] or [e-mail].
Interviews will take place on 28 September 2026.
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.
This post is subject to a PVG Scheme Record check.