Switchboard Operator

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is inviting applications for a Switchboard Operator. The role provides a 24/7 front of house telephone interface for the Trust and external partners, with full training on all aspects of the job.

You must be flexible to work a variety of shift patterns, including days, evenings, nights and weekends. The hospital offers a supportive team, opportunities to develop skills, and a pro rata salary for part-time hours.

Qualifications

• First-class communication and prioritisation skills.
• Flexible to work days/nights and weekends in a 24/7 service.

Responsibilities

• Providing an excellent 24/7 front of house telephone interface service for the Trust and external customers.
• Operating within the 24-hour telephony and emergency response service.
• Handling GP emergency admissions, major incidents and fire service calls as part of daily duties.

Job description

Hours: Full time, Part time - 37.5 hours per week (Part time hours to be considered either 22.5 hours or 30 hours per week)

Job ref: 188-THQ011026

Site: University Hospital Southampton

Town: Southampton

Salary: per annum pro rata

Closing: Today at 23:59

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title: Switchboard Operator

Contract Type: Permanent

Under current Home Office rules, this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Switchboard Operator at University Hospital Southampton. This role offers the right candidate a fantastic opportunity to start or develop a career in the NHS. We offer full training on all aspects of the role. Our department provides a professional 24-hour telephony and emergency response service to all internal departments within University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, as well as externally for patients and their relatives. GP emergency admissions, major incidents and fire service calls are all in a day’s work. You will need to be flexible to work both days/nights and weekends as we are a 24/7 service.

Working for our organisation

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. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. 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.

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 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

The successful candidate will be responsible for operating in the switchboard services and the key responsibilities are providing an excellent 24/7 front of house telephone interface service for the Trust and various external customers including Southampton University, local GP surgeries and Southampton City Council.

You will have first-class communication and prioritisation skills and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where you’ll meet a different challenge every day. Shifts vary from week to week, but you will receive your rota 12 weeks in advance, covering a combination of shifts: days, evenings, nights weekends and bank holidays.

Some examples include:

• Days: 07:00 - 15:00, 08:00 - 16:00 or 10:00 - 18:00
• Evenings: 12:00 - 20:00 or 14:00 - 22:00
• Nights: 22:00 - 07:00
• Weekends and bank holidays: 07:00 - 14:30 or 14:30 - 22:00

You will receive enhanced pay for working nights/weekends. To be flexible to work both days/nights and weekends as we are a 24/7 service. The personal drive to work independently, but with the support of an established team. The ability to think rationally and logically when responding to emergency situations and a keen eye for detail. The ambition to learn every day and a track record of dealing with the public in a customer-focused environment. This role offers the right candidate a fantastic opportunity to start or develop a career in the NHS. We offer full training on all aspects of the role.

Our department provides a professional 24-hour telephony and emergency response service to all internal departments within University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, as well as externally for patients and their relatives. GP emergency admissions, major incidents and fire service calls are all in a day’s work. You need to be flexible to work both days/nights and weekends as we are a 24/7 service.

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