Security Receptionist

Transformation Unit; Southall; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

West London NHS Trust is seeking a Security Receptionist to join the Reception Team within a secure healthcare environment. You will support the smooth running of reception services, control access, monitor CCTV and respond to enquiries from staff, patients and visitors.

The role involves day and night shifts (37.5 hours over a condensed three‑day week). You should be organized, calm under pressure and capable of maintaining high security standards and excellent customer service.

Qualifications

• GCSE level or higher (C or above).
• 1 year+ experience as receptionist/front of house.
• NHS experience preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion.
• Excellent telephone manner and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate secure access systems, electronic doors and vehicle airlocks.
• Monitor CCTV and manage security keys.
• Receive and screen visitors in line with Trust procedures.
• Process visitor bookings and maintain accurate records.
• Provide professional front‑of‑house service and handle inquiries.

Skills

Excellent communication

Telephone manners

Discretion & confidentiality

Multi-tasking

Calm under pressure

Education

GCSE level or higher

Tools

Access control systems

CCTV monitoring

Job description

West London NHS Trust provides a full range of mental health, community and physical healthcare services for children, adults and older people living in the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow.

We also provide some specialist services that are commissioned regionally, such as our medium secure services; and nationally, such as the Cassel Hospital for people with complex and severe personality disorder and our high secure services at Broadmoor Hospital.

Job overview

Security Receptionist

Please note this is not a sponsored position. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and professional individual to join the Reception Team at West London Forensic Services.

This rewarding role is based within a secure healthcare environment, where you will contribute to maintaining a safe, secure and welcoming service for patients, visitors and staff. Working as part of a dedicated team, you will support the smooth running of reception services while ensuring security procedures are followed at all times.

Key responsibilities include controlling secure access systems, monitoring CCTV, managing security keys, responding to telephone and visitor enquiries, processing visitor bookings, maintaining accurate records and supporting the day-to-day operation of reception services. You will also oversee reception activities during your shift and elevate issues when required.

The role involves a combination of day and night shifts, with 37.5 hours typically worked over a condensed three-day week.

The successful candidate will be organised, resilient and able to remain calm under pressure. Excellent communication skills, attention to detail and a commitment to customer service are essential.

Main duties of the job

As a Security Receptionist, you will play an important role in maintaining a safe, secure and welcoming environment within West London Forensic Services. Working as part of the Reception Team, you will support the delivery of an efficient reception service while ensuring security procedures are followed at all times.

Key responsibilities include operating secure access systems, electronic doors and vehicle airlocks, monitoring CCTV, managing security keys, maintaining accurate records and processing visitor bookings. You will receive and screen visitors in line with Trust procedures and record service users leaving and returning from authorised leave.

You will provide a professional front‑of‑house service, responding to telephone and face‑to‑face enquiries from staff, patients and visitors. Administrative duties include maintaining control room logs, completing documentation and recording incidents accurately.

You will work closely with the Reception Services Manager and Deputy Reception Services Manager to ensure the smooth running of reception services. The role also requires responding appropriately to emergency situations, security incidents and system failures in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent communication skills, sound judgement, attention to detail and the ability to remain calm and professional in a busy environment.

Working for our organisation

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.

The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE level or higher (grade C or above).

Experience

• At least 1 year’s experience as a receptionist/front of house staff
• Demonstrated ability to sustain initiative and direction under difficult circumstances.
• Demonstrated ability to work within and show understanding of equal opportunities
• Previous experience within an NHS setting.
• Experience of dealing with mentally ill patients.
• At least 2 years’ experience as a receptionist/front of house staff.

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of a range of administrative procedures – both routine and non‑routine.
• Evidence of personal development
• Ability to maintain developed systems
• Excellent telephone manner.
• Ability to work autonomously using own initiative.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality at all times
• A working knowledge of security related issues within a secure environment.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to exercise judgement when dealing with queries from patients, relatives and enquires from external agencies.
• Ability to deal with staff and patients in a courteous, professional and helpful manner.
• Ability to multi‑task
• Flexible
• Enthusiastic and willing to learn
• Punctual

As an employee of West London NHS Trust, you have a responsibility to maintain a sound understanding of, and a commitment to uphold the National Health Service values and principles set out in the NHS Constitution.

We reserve the right to close adverts prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications.

By applying for this post you are agreeing to West London NHS Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, you will be required to undergo a pre‑employment checks which can take between 4-8 weeks . After which your information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system (ESR ).

Please ensure you include email addresses for your referees which MUST be at supervisory or managerial capacity covering the last 3 years of employment to date to avoid delay in the recruitment process.

West London NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We encourage the thoughtful use of technology as a demonstration of strong time management and a commitment to innovation. However, we encourage applicants to personalise your recruitment application to showcase your unique skills and experiences.

While AI‑generated content can be a helpful tool, relying solely on generic responses instead of highlighting your own strengths and achievements may impact the success of your application. The success of an application will always be assessed against the essential and desirable criteria for the role, so it is important to ensure that your application and any supporting information clearly demonstrate how you meet these requirements.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.