Operational Service Assistant

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Operational Service Assistant to provide comprehensive administrative support to Community Teams, based primarily at the GP Out-of-Hours and Urgent Treatment Centre.

The role requires proactive workload management, cross-cover within the admin team, and effective liaison with internal and external services to ensure patient flow and service continuity.

Qualifications

• Five GCSEs grade A-C including English and Maths or equivalent.
• Proficient in Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Level 3 Business Admin or Team Leading qualification.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive administrative support to Community Teams and Clinical Services, including calls, referrals and patient flow.
• Coordinate referrals, appointments, records and MDT activity with internal and external services.
• Maintain relationships with stakeholders and support signposting as needed.
• Manage databases and assist audits and reporting; provide cross-cover within the admin team.
• Coordinate GP Out of Hours/Urgent Care rota and annual leave processes to ensure service continuity.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Time management

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Confidentiality

Education

GCSE English and Maths (A-C)

Level 3 Business Admin or Team Leading

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Operational Service Assistant

The closing date is 17 November 2026

The post is primarily based within the GP OOH & Urgent Treatment Centre; however, the Trust operates a flexible workforce model and the post-holder may be required to support other service areas according to operational need.

The Operational Service Assistant will provide comprehensive, quality, confidential administrative support to the Community Teams employed by the Trust. The post holder will be expected to organise their own workload and co-ordinate their activities, in conjunction with and supervised by the Community Coordinator, to ensure that an efficient service is provided.

The post holder will be capable of the full administrative function within the team and will act as a flexible resource to support the Community Service teams across the CCICP footprint to ensure continuity of services. The post holder will have direct contact with service users, carers, the general public or other external stakeholders, as well as internal and external clinical and non-clinical colleagues. It is essential that the post holder is able to exercise initiative suitable to the role and is fully supportive of other colleagues within the team.

Main duties of the job

• Provide administrative support to Community Teams, including managing calls, referrals, and patient flow.
• Liaise with internal and external services to coordinate referrals, appointments, records, and MDT activity. Handle and respond to enquiries, escalating when necessary.
• Maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and support appropriate signposting.
• Manage information and databases to support audits and reporting. Work flexibly within the admin team, providing cross-cover and supporting efficient use of resources.
• When necessary coordinate the GP Out of Hours/Urgent Care rota and annual leave processes to ensure service continuity.

About us

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford. Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area's largest employers.

Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System. As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we're reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website.

At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.

Job responsibilities

Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Community Teams and associated Clinical Services including managing calls, referrals, and supporting the clinical staff to respond to the health needs of the population. This may include processing and monitoring patient flow or waiting times, liaising with clinical staff to ensure timely and efficient patient care.Support the Community Coordinator to liaise with a range of internal and external services and teams including clinical and non-clinical staff regarding referrals, appointments, patient records and multi-disciplinary meetings.October 2025Make, receive and respond to a variety of enquiries, using appropriate communication and judgement skills to resolve enquiries personally where possible, or elevate to relevant team members and colleagues, ensuring each enquiry is addressed with the necessary level of urgency.Build and maintain constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, in order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of services for patients and to support signposting to other services where appropriate.Understand when it is relevant and appropriate to provide and receive information to and from parents/carers/advocates on behalf of the patient, in accordance with the Trusts policies and guidelines.Adopt a flexible and supportive role, working effectively within the administration team by assisting with workload and providing cross cover for other administration staff when required, and to be flexible regarding working hours to meet the needs of the service.Support the Community Teams with audits, reports and other measurement activity, including managing databases, obtaining info, and presenting the results.Support the Community Teams in the efficient and effective use of resources, e.g. equipment, supplies and materials.Carry out any additional duties and responsibilities as appropriate and delegated by the Community Coordinator or other Senior Manager.Additional duties for GP Out of Hours/Urgent CareCo-ordinate the GP Out of Hours and Urgent Care GP rota, annual leave approval/recording process in line with Standard Operating Procedures ensuring that there are no gaps in service provision.

Person Specification

Qualification

• 5 GCSE level A-C qualifications or equivalent in English and Math's or equivalent experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Level 3 Business Admin or Team Leading Qualification

Skills

• Verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to problem solve
• Good Interpersonal skills
• Excellent time management, organisational skills and ability to prioritise own workload
• Proactively manage change
• Understanding of health records/waiting lists
• Understanding of computer systems used by the department.
• Ability to Audio Type

Experience

• Previous administrative experience
• Awareness of the need for confidentiality in accordance with Data Protection Act and national/local guidelines
• Previous experience within the NHS

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.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust