Switchboard Operator | Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust; Weston-super-Mare; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full training

Development opportunities

Job summary

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Switchboard Operator for Weston General Hospital. You will be the vital first point of contact for patients, visitors, clinicians and colleagues, handling a high volume of calls and supporting emergency response procedures.

The role requires excellent communication, strong attention to detail, and the ability to stay focused in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Calm under pressure with a customer-focused mindset.
• Excellent communication skills and clear, empathetic phone manner.
• Able to stay focused in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple calls.
• Confident using IT systems and clinical/administrative software.
• Capable of working as part of a supportive team to maintain patient care operations.

Responsibilities

• Handle a high volume of calls and route to the right extensions.
• Support emergency response procedures and paging/communication systems.
• Maintain accurate contact information and ensure critical messages reach the intended recipients.
• Receive and distribute calls from the public, GP’s, internal callers, other hospitals and agencies.
• Respond to enquiries empathetically, including routine and urgent requests in line with procedures.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Fast-paced environment

IT systems familiarity

Teamwork

Tools

Paging systems

Radio pagers

Job description

Switchboard Operator | Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Company:

Company: University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

Are you calm under pressure, customer-focused and looking for a role where every day makes a difference? Join our busy Switchboard Team at Weston General Hospital and become the vital first point of contact for patients, visitors, clinicians and colleagues across the Bristol NHS Group.

As a Switchboard Operator, you'll handle a high volume of calls, support emergency response procedures, operate paging and communication systems, and help ensure critical information reaches the right people at the right time. From assisting anxious callers to supporting emergency teams and maintaining essential contact information, no two days are the same.

We're looking for someone with excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to stay focused in a fast-paced environment. Previous switchboard, call centre or customer service experience is desirable, along with confidence using IT systems and working as part of a supportive team.

In return, you'll receive full training, opportunities for development, and the chance to work with dedicated colleagues who play a critical role in supporting patient care and hospital operations. This role includes shift working, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

If you're reliable, adaptable and committed to delivering outstanding customer service, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us and help keep Weston General Hospital connected, responsive and caring, 24 hours a day.

Responsible for being the first point of contact for the hospital, for receiving and distributing calls from the public, GP's, internal callers, other hospitals and agencies etc. Calls can be connected to either an extension, exchange lines or to mobile staff via bleeps, mobile phones and radio pagers.

Use initiative and sensitivity when dealing with unpredictable situations including enquiries from anxious patients, patients with mental health problems, language and / or disability barriers, the media, complaints etc. Ensuing an appropriate and empathetic response to all.

To operate the switchboard consoles and bleep system to provide an efficient telephone service across the Trust.

To respond in accordance with designated written procedures when dealing with emergency and non emergency requests including :

• Mental health Psychiatric out of hours contacts

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit andretaina workforce whichrepresentsthe rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will use from your application in order toensurewe’remeeting the pledge.

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust