SPA Admin Coordinator

NHS; Harrow; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare provider in Harrow is seeking a highly motivated Administrator to manage referrals and support the Single Point of Access (SPA). The role involves coordinating referrals, maintaining communication with GPs, and ensuring smooth operation of the services. Candidates should possess strong communication skills and relevant experience in healthcare settings. This position offers a salary between £32,199 and £34,876 annually with full-time hours and permanent contract.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience of working within an acute NHS setting or community care setting.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Evidence of team working.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Echo and 24-hour tape diary.
• Coordinate referrals to community agencies.
• Take oral referrals mainly by telephone from GPs and other organisations.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Flexibility

Team working

Education

Good general education (equivalent to 5 GCSEs)

Job description

Job summary

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to work closely with our Matrons, Clinical Nurse Manager and Charge nurses to facilitate the timely, effective and appropriate referrals to the Single Point of Access (SPA).

Key responsibilities include managing the Echo and 24-hour tape diary, submitting monthly Advice & Guidance data to the Information Team, and ensuring all patient encounters are promptly booked on Cerner. The postholder will also coordinate referrals to community agencies, fostering strong partnerships with external organisations including Primary Care Trusts, GPs and Social Services to facilitate safe, timely discharges and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.

Working as an integral member of the SPA team, the Administrator supports the smooth day-to-day operation of the service, including optimising hospital bed usage and reducing patient length of stay. The role requires flexibility to work shifts covering service hours from 08:00 to 22:30, seven days a week, to ensure continuity of care.

The Administrator must uphold professional and statutory practice standards in line with the Community Care Act, Council policies, and Acute Trust guidelines. The Single Point of Access will open 7 days a week for 12 hours a day based in Ambulatory Care / SDEC at NPH. You will be required to work Monday to Friday either 08:00-16:00 or 10:00-18:00.

All training will be given once in post.

Job responsibilities

The Post Holder will have excellent communication skills and be able to take oral referrals mainly by telephone from GPs and other organisations. This will require exceptional listening skills and the ability to interpret accurately sometimes complex information.

The Post Holder will be aware when further clarification may be required from the referrer and can request this information in a polite manner.

To pinpoint any operational concerns regarding the SPA system and report this to the SPA Senior Administrator or Manager for advice.

The Post Holder will be able to triage referrals, distinguishing between urgent and less urgent referrals within the SDEC pathways, ensuring that every referral is directed to the appropriate pathway. This is a crucial element of SPA as it determines the safety and appropriate, timely care of all patients. Training for this will be competency based.

Communicate, establish and maintain relationships, influence and gain the co‑operation of others by communicating with people in a manner that is consistent with their level of understanding, culture and background.

The Post Holder will be requested to sometimes relay information accurately to patients and other agencies to enable a smooth process.

Provide sometimes complex information to include patients/carers. Also, request assistance especially where there are barriers to language, understanding. This may include gaining informed consent in sensitive circumstances and demonstrating empathy with patients, carers and families.

Coordinating the Echo and 24-hour tape diary, submitting monthly Advice & Guidance data to the Information Team, and ensuring all patient encounters are promptly booked on Cerner.

Person Specification

Education Essential

• Good general education (equivalent to 5 GCSEs)
• Knowledge & Experience
• Communication skills

Education Desirable

• Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise workload
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Ability to be flexible and approach new tasks effectively

Knowledge & Experience Essential

• Relevant experience of working within an acute NHS setting or community care setting
• Evidence of team working

Knowledge & Experience Desirable

• Recent experience of working within a multidisciplinary team

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

About us

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.

Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.

We run major acute services at:

• Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country's top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper‑acute rehabilitation units in the UK
• St Mark's Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
• Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
• Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.

We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.

Details

Posted: 05 November 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 4

Salary: £32,199 to £34,876 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 337-NP-9178MS

Job location: Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, HA1 3UJ

Employer details

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Northwick Park Hospital

Watford Road

Harrow

HA1 3UJ

Employer's website

https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk