Switchboard Operator | Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust; Wigan; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 18,000; Part time

Job summary

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a part-time Telephonist to join our Switchboard Team. The role supports staff, patients and external partners by delivering a comprehensive and confidential telephone service across Trust sites.

Working hours are 30 per week, with a 24-hour service requiring rota patterns across day, night and weekends. Applicants should have telephone handling experience and be able to respond calmly, professionally and efficiently

Qualifications

• Experience handling telephone queries and providing high‑quality responses.
• Professional telephone manners and good listening skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly with staff, patients and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive telephone operator service across Trust sites.
• Receive and direct all incoming and outgoing calls.
• Pass on messages accurately between callers, operators and supervisors.
• Monitor alarms and respond to emergencies as instructed.
• Support 24/7 switchboard operations and on‑call rota.

Skills

Telephone etiquette

Calm under pressure

Clear communication

Windows-based systems

Tools

Bleep system

Job description

Switchboard Operator | Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Company:

Company: Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

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 vacancy may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received. We encourage interested candidates to apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

THIS ROLE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SPONSORSHIP.

PLEASE NOTE THIS VACANCY MAY CLOSE EARLY IF SUFFICIENT APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED.

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.

Our Values

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

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.

Key results from the job holder

• Provide a comprehensive Telephone Operator Service to all Trust sites, including Directory Enquiries, across the full range of services for patients, staff and visitors.
• Receive and direct as appropriate all incoming and outgoing calls.
• Receive and accurately pass on messages between callers, other Operators and the Switchboard Supervisors.
• Monitor Alarm Systems requiring action to be initiated by the Operator in accordance with the instructions shown or indicated.
• Respond to any Emergency situation, including Cardiac Arrest, Fire Security, Flood and Major Incident as instructed.
• Reception type duties including dealing with enquiries from Trust staff and Contractors providing service to the Trust.
• Retention of Keys in a secure system, issuing to authorised staff and maintaining appropriate records of issue and return.
• Operation, including test protocols, of internal and external Paging Systems.

This advert closes on Friday 23 Oct 2026

Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust