Patient Administrator - Trauma & Orthopaedics & Cardiothoracic and vascular.

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Southampton is looking for a Patient Pathway Coordinator to provide vital administrative support within Trauma and Orthopaedics and Cardiothoracic services. The position requires excellent communication skills, the ability to prioritize duties under pressure, and experience in a customer-focused environment. This role also offers fantastic training and development opportunities, making it ideal for candidates eager to further their careers in healthcare administration.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata)

Access to NHS discounts

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Good standard of secondary education with literacy and numeracy skills demonstrable to GCSE pass level or equivalent.
• Experience as an administrator or secretary in a customer-focused environment.
• Knowledge of secretarial or administrative procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive administrative support in Trauma and Orthopaedics and Cardiothoracic services.
• Handle communication with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Coordinate appointment bookings and manage clinic correspondence.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Empathy

Ability to prioritize workload

Education

Good standard of secondary education (GCSE or equivalent)

Level 3 qualification in administration/customer service or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft systems

Job description

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Please see below for detailed job description of the role. This role is advertised internally and is open to staff employed on a UHS group contract of employment (including subsidiary companies: UEL, WPL, and UPL) AND for those currently working for the Trust via NHSP. This does not extend to those employed through any other agency.

Main Duties of the Job

We have opportunities for Patient Pathway Coordinators to join us in Trauma and Orthopaedics (T&O) and Cardiothoracic and vascular (CV&T). This role is essential for the seamless operation of our services and significantly impacts our patients' experiences. In collaboration with your team of consultants, you will provide comprehensive administrative support. Your responsibilities will be diverse and will include direct communication with patients and healthcare professionals, coordinating appointment bookings, managing correspondence and actions from outpatient clinics, and ensuring the smooth flow of information among various clinicians and support services.

Professional Development and Working Conditions

UHS offers outstanding training and development opportunities to help you achieve your career aspirations. Supporting the growth of our staff is fundamental to delivering high‑quality, safe, and effective care. We provide a nurturing environment for professional development, and internal applicants seeking to gain experience in different roles or areas of the hospital may be considered for secondment opportunities. As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. All non‑clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working; specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Location

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Confidently use Microsoft systems, working with minimal supervision and demonstrating a tactful, sensitive approach to challenging situations.

Exhibit empathy and excellent communication skills, acting as the first point of contact by handling telephone calls, emails, and visitors, responding promptly and efficiently to queries, or redirecting them to the appropriate person/department.

Thrive under pressure and prioritise your workload effectively. Collaborate with a large team, demonstrating flexibility in multitasking and covering for colleagues as needed. Communicate effectively with ward teams, matrons, divisional nursing staff, consultants, ward administrators, and patients.

Familiarity with the Trust's electronic systems is advantageous but not essential, as training will be provided.

Person Specification

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

Essential Criteria

• Good standard of secondary education with literacy and numeracy skills demonstrable to GCSE pass level or equivalent standard.
• Either Level 3 qualification in administration/customer service or equivalent experience, or Vocational Level 2 qualification in administration/customer service or an equivalent level of experience. Experience as an administrator or secretary in an organisation with a customer‑focused environment and able to use judgement to make decisions in order to solve problems/enquiries some of which are non‑routine and not straight‑forward.
• Knowledge and experience of secretarial or administrative procedures.
• Experience as an administrator or secretary in an organisation with a customer‑focused environment.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Courses / further study attended to demonstrate evidence of personal development.
• Vocational Level 3 qualification in administration/word processing/typing or an equivalent level of experience.
• Diploma level qualification or an equivalent level of experience.
• Experience as a medical or patient services secretary linked to a clinical service or customer‑focused environment.
• Proficient in the use of all hospital computerised patient systems.
• Experience in understanding and analysing patient pathways.
• Knowledge of both local and national targets relating to RTT and cancer pathways.