Switchboard Operator (Night)

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Switchboard Operator (Night) to manage 2x10 hour shifts per week on a rolling 8-week rota, including weekends. The role supports central emergency systems and directs calls to appropriate departments.

The post is part-time, permanent, and based on site in Sheffield. Applicants should have English and Maths qualifications and experience with digital switchboards and public communications.

Qualifications

• Competent English and Maths at school level.
• Ability to communicate clearly with the public.
• Experience handling calls on a digital switchboard or similar system.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate contact between staff and patients.
• Operate bleep system, pager, mobile phones and email to route calls.
• Maintain relevant incident documentation.
• Remain calm and perform under pressure while delivering a 24/7 switchboard service.
• Support access control via ED doors during night shifts.

Skills

Telephone handling

Public communication

Digital switchboard

Computers

Record keeping

Time management

Calm under pressure

Flexible shifts

Education

English and Maths at school level

Tools

Bleep system

Pager

Email

Job description

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

Switchboard Operator (Night)

The closing date is 12 November 2026

We are looking for motivated individuals to join our Switchboard team, providing a professional and responsive service to the Trust.

In this role, you will handle all incoming switchboard calls and support members of the public in reaching the appropriate departments. You will also play a key part in the daily management of central emergency systems, including fire and cardiac arrest monitoring consoles.

We currently have 20-hour night post available.These positions involve working 2x10 hours shifts per week on a 8-week rolling rota, which includes weekend working.

• 10pm - 8am

Please Note:This role is not suitable for candidates already employed on part-time hours within the Trust.

Main duties of the job

Reporting into the IT helpdesk Manager , some of your responsibilities will include:

• To facilitate the contact between staff and patients.
• The role requires knowledge of different methods of communication used within the Trust, including the bleep system, pager, mobile phones and email.
• The operator must maintain relevant documentation of incident
• The operator must work in a calm and competent manner in very stressful and chaotic situations whilst continuing to provide a switchboard service.
• The switchboard function is maintained 24 hours a day and the night operation includes monitoring and authorising access to the Trust via the ED doors.

About us

At Sheffield Children's, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are Outstanding Patient Care, Brilliant Place to Work, and Leaders in Children's Health.

We work with partners across local, regional, and national levels to deliver physical and mental healthcare in both acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are nationally and internationally recognised for their expertise.

We're proud that 73% of colleagues would recommend Sheffield Children's as a place to work, placing us among the top five NHS trusts in England -- and the top-ranked trust in the North East and Yorkshire -- in the latest NHS Staff Survey.

Our nearly 4,000 colleagues bring our CARE values -- Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence -- to life every day, creating a kind, welcoming environment where patients and families feel safe and supported.

As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we're excited to keep building our leadership in children's health, improve experiences for patients and staff, and focus on our communities and population health.

We also offer excellent benefits to support your wellbeing, with generous annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing programmes, and exclusive discounts -- helping you thrive at work and beyond.

Job responsibilities

For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.

*** This role has been assigned the occupation code 7212 using the CASCOT coding tool. To check the eligibility of this code for sponsorship and right to work please visit - UKVI web address https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes

Diversity Statement

At Sheffield Childrens, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyones success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.

Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at [e-mail]. Together, were building a workplace where everyone belongs.

#LI-Onsite

Qualifications

• Competent school qualifications in English, Maths

Experience

• Answering telephone calls and communicating with the public
• Experience in working on a digital switchboard or equivalent

Knowledge and Skills

• Using computers
• Able to maintain records neatly and precisely
• Able to prioritise workload and manage time effectively
• Ability to communicate effectively with all types of individual
• Able to deal with difficult and aggressive people

Personal Attributes

• Able to remain calm and perform duties under stress
• Approachable and friendly personality
• Patient and understanding
• Able to work alone for considerable periods of time
• Able to work flexibly at times convenient to the service, Sense of humour
• Able to cover shifts at short notice

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.

Address

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

£25,760 to £27,476 a yearper annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

425-26-8381964-A

Job locations

Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust