Switchboard Operator

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust; Wigan; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a part-time Telephonist to support the hospital's 24/7 switchboard operations. The role involves handling calls for staff, patients and external partners, with a 30-hour work week and rostered day, night, and weekend shifts.

Successful candidates will work within a 4-week rota and may be required to join an on-call rota (1 in 6). Experience with alarm monitoring and bleep systems is advantageous, but not essential.

Qualifications

• Experience handling telephone queries and providing high-quality responses to callers.
• Flexible and proactive attitude to working hours, including short-notice cover for colleagues.
• Desirable hospital switchboard experience, ideally in acute care.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive and confidential telephone service to staff, patients and external partners.
• Monitor alarm signals and respond to emergency situations as needed.
• Liaise with multiple departments to ensure service continuity and effective communication.

Skills

Flexible

Professional telephone manner

Hospital switchboard experience

Basic IT skills

Alarm monitoring

Tools

Bleep systems

Windows-based systems

Job description

We are seeking a part-time Telephonist (30 hours per week) to join our dedicated Switchboard Team, which plays a vital role in ensuring safe, responsive communication across the Trust.

As a key point of contact for patients, staff, and emergency services, the Switchboard Team supports critical operations and contributes directly to patient safety and experience. The post holders will be expected to work flexibly to maintain continuous service during peak times and periods of staff absence.

This is a 24-hour service, and successful applicants will work rostered shifts with flexibility across day, night, and weekend periods.

Working days will follow a 4-week rota pattern and will be discussed at interview. OVER 7 DAYS AND MAYBE REQUIRED TO BE PART OF ON CALL ROTA 1 IN 6.

We welcome applications from individuals who can demonstrate adaptability, reliability, and a commitment to supporting a round-the-clock service.

Please note: Applicants who have previously received feedback indicating they did not meet the essential criteria should only reapply if they can demonstrate how they have strengthened their application since that decision.

THIS ROLE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SPONSORSHIP.

We are seeking a part-time Telephonist to provide a comprehensive and confidential telephone service supporting the daily operations of the Hospital Trust. This role is central to delivering an efficient and responsive communications service to staff, patients, and external partners.

Applicants must have experience handling telephone queries and delivering high-quality responses to incoming calls from both internal and external sources. Experience in monitoring alarm signals, using bleep systems, and liaising with various departments is advantageous but not essential.

The Successful Candidate Will Demonstrate

• A flexible and proactive attitude to working hours, including short-notice cover for colleagues
• A professional and courteous telephone manner
• Desirable experience in a hospital switchboard setting, ideally within an acute care environment
• Basic IT skills, including familiarity with Windows-based systems
• Confidence in monitoring alarms and responding to emergency situations

Our Switchboard Team operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Flexibility is essential to ensure service continuity, particularly during emergency scenarios. The postholder will also participate in the on-call rota (1 in 6).

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that ‘happy staff, makes for happy patients’. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement and living our values.

• People at the Heart
• Listen and Involve
• Kind and Respectful
• ONE Team

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. We are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Ashleigh Miller Job title: Senior Switchboard Supervisor Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 01942 822040

Ashleigh Miller, Senior Switchboard Supervisor,

0300 707 2040

[e-mail] or

Cerys Simm Switchboard Team Leader

Switchboard Dept

01942 244000

[e-mail]