Switchboard Administrator - Ipswich

Esneft; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous NHS pension

27 days annual leave

NHS staff discounts

Staff Health & Wellbeing programme

Job summary

ESNEFT in Ipswich Hospital is looking for an enthusiastic Switchboard Operator to join our 24/7 team. You will provide efficient first-line support to patients, public and staff, directing calls and responding to emergencies, with flexible shifts and no fixed pattern.

Five weeks of on-the-job training during a 37.5 hour week will precede your usual contracted hours; we value excellent communication and teamwork and offer NHS benefits, pension and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum GCSE or equivalent, including Maths & English
• Excellent Communication Skills & Interpersonal Manner

Responsibilities

• Provide an efficient and courteous first line support service to patients, public and staff as a member of the Trust’s Switchboard, operating 24 hours every day.
• Receive and direct telephone calls both internally and externally.
• Act as the first point of contact for emergency calls and monitor/respond to emergency systems.
• Provide 24 hr service for Fire Alarms, Intruder Alarms, Plant/Gas Alarms, Bone Bank Alarms, Cook Chill Alarm & Lift Alarms.
• Support Trust IT systems and applications, escalating incidents per SLA.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Education

GCSE including Maths & English

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.

Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and well motivated person to join our switchboard team at Ipswich Hospital.

You must demonstrate the ability to work as part of a close-knit team, show a commitment to providing the highest standard of service and possess excellent communication skills.

Working within a 24hr, 7 day a week department, you will be required to work both flexible and varied shifts over the 7 day period. This will involve both out of hours working, night duties and Bank Holidays so flexibility is paramount. There is no set shift pattern.

To fulfil this post you will undertake 5 weeks ‘on the job’ training during which time you will be working a full 37.5 hour week until your training is complete. Your normal contracted hours will commence after this.

Main duties of the job

• To provide an efficient and courteous first line support service to patients, public and staff as a member of the Trust’s Switchboard, which operates 24 hours every day by participating in the shift rota.
• To receive and direct telephone calls both internally and externally.
• To act as the first point of contact for emergency calls of all types (cardiac arrest, fire and emergency lines) and monitor and respond appropriately to all the Trust’s emergency systems.
• To provide a 24 hr service to the Trust for the following services: Fire Alarms, Intruder Alarms, Plant/Gas Alarms, Bone Bank Alarms, Cook Chill Alarm & Lift Alarms. Administrators will action appropriate procedures when these alarms are activated.
• To provide support for Trust IT systems and applications, managing and escalating incidents in accordance with Service Level Agreements in conjunction with Trust support staff and third party support organisations.

Working for our organisation

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England , employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

• a generous pension scheme
• unsocial hours payments (where applicable)
• 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata)
• access to a range of NHS discounts
• Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients .

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Education & Qualifications

• Minimum GCSE or equivalent, including Maths & English

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent Communication Skills & Interpersonal Manner

Knowledge and Experience

• Microsoft Office
• Proven Customer Support
• Experience of working within a pressurized and busy environment
• NHS/Hospital experience
• Some knowledge of medical terminology

The Trust is committed to its staff and their development and to equal opportunities and diversity. Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community.

Whilst we welcome applications from all and your application will be considered on individual merit, if you are offered a position and require a Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship we may not be able to process your application to the final stage due to Home Office eligibility. Please note Band 2 roles are not eligible for sponsorship.

We do not charge any fees at any stage of our recruitment process, including job applications, interviews, sponsorship arrangements or employment offers