Receptionist

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension

Agenda for Change benefits

Job summary

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is reopening a newly redesigned CAMHS inpatient unit and seeks a friendly receptionist for evening and weekend shifts. You will be the first point of contact for young people, families and staff, providing information, directing queries and supporting a busy front desk in a compassionate, confidential way.

Utilising your previous reception or switchboard experience, you will help maintain smooth daily operations, coordinate with the MDT, and contribute to

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent, GCSE Grade C/4 or above.
• PC skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office software.

Responsibilities

• Greet and welcome visitors; provide information and assistance; manage access requirements.
• Operate the switchboard; respond to queries and direct calls appropriately.
• Sort, process and distribute mail; manage postage and general clerical duties.
• Maintain building and facilities records; monitor security and report issues.

Skills

Reception experience

Switchboard

Telephone manner

MS Office

Teamwork

Education

NVQ2/GCSE

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Join Us as We Reopen Our New CAMHS Inpatient Unit

We are pleased to invite applications for a brand new receptionist for evening and weekend working to join our newly redesigned Children and Young People's Mental Health Inpatient Unit, reopening in Autumn 2026.

Following extensive co-design with young people, families and staff, and significant investment in our workforce and therapeutic approach, this is an exciting opportunity to work in a modern, recovery-focused inpatient service delivering high-quality, purposeful care to young people with acute mental health needs.

About the unit

Our refreshed CAMHS inpatient service is built around:

• Purposeful admissions with early review points
• Structured, therapeutic care programmes delivered across 7 days
• Strong links with crisis and community services, including COAST(Crisis Outreach Acute Support Team),
• Trauma-informed and autism-aware practice
• A focus on least restrictive practice and improving experience and outcomes
• Supportive MDT working, safe staffing and strong clinical leadership

You will work as part of a skilled and supportive multidisciplinary team, delivering therapeutic care to young people and working closely with families and carers from admission through to discharge.

Hours

We have 2 posts available, one for 26 hours and one for 22 hours. Working patterns can be discussed at interview.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

Reception and Customer Service

• Greet and offer a warm welcome to visitors, young people, families and staff in a professional and courteous manner.
• Provide information and assistance to visitors, including arranging access requirements.
• Notify relevant staff members of visitor arrivals.
• Deal politely and effectively with enquiries, including those where communication barriers may exist.

Switchboard and Communications

• Operate the switchboard and answer telephone calls promptly and professionally.
• Respond to queries or direct calls to the appropriate person.
• Take and relay messages accurately.

Mail and Administrative Support

• Sort, process, and distribute internal and external mail.
• Arrange postage, including Recorded and Special Delivery services when required.
• Carry out general clerical duties such as typing, photocopying, document production, and preparing meeting papers.
• Produce documents using Trust templates and guidelines.

Facilities and Building Management

• Maintain beverage machines and monitor stock levels, ordering supplies as required.
• Report maintenance issues promptly to Estates and Facilities.
• Monitor building security and report suspicious attempts to gain entry.
• Contact the Fire Brigade if a fire alarm sounds and attend mandatory fire safety training

About us

Working for our organisation

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust delivers specialist mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services across Sussex.

This post sits within our Specialist CAMHS Services, providing opportunities to gain experience across acute, crisis and community pathways as part of your career development.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to creating a compassionate and supportive working environment where staff feel valued, developed and able to thrive.

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to be part of a newly reopened CAMHS inpatient unit
• Comprehensive induction programme prior to opening where all new staff train together and contribute to the team's therapeutic approach
• A welcoming and supportive team culture with strong clinical leadership
• Access to training
• Clear development and progression pathways into senior nursing roles
• NHS Pension Scheme and Agenda for Change benefits

If you are looking to start or develop your career in CAMHS and want to make a meaningful difference to young people and their families, we would love to hear from you.

Job responsibilities

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) or a good standard of secondary education, including GCSE Grade C/4 or above.
• PC skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office software.

Knowledge & Experience

• Previous reception and switchboard experience.
• Experience of working with the public.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to use own initiative.
• Ability to work in a confidential setting.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to keep accurate records.
• Excellent telephone manner.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Good timekeeping.
• Ability to concentrate on specific tasks despite competing demands.

  Values & Behaviours

  • Demonstrates support for the Trust's values and beliefs.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of Human Rights principles in service delivery.
  • Effective team working.
  • Punctual and flexible when required.

  Knowledge & Experience

  • Lived experience of mental health issues.

  Skills & Abilities

  • Ability to keep accurate records (identified as both essential and desirable within the person specification).

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  • NVQ2 or equivalent / good standard of secondary education; GCSE at Grade C or above
  • PC skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office software

  Knowledge & Experience

  • Previous reception and switchboard experience
  • Experience of working with the public

  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.