Switchboard Operator

James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 28 January 2025

Job summary

We are seeking reliable switchboard operators to join our team on and As & When basis.

You will contribute by ensuring the provision of a high quality and responsive service to our staff, patients and customers. The post involves answering external and internal calls and redirecting to the relevant staff/department, using the paging system to contact staff, responding to alarms and dealing with emergency calls.

The candidate must have an appropriate telephone manner, be able to deliver excellent customer service, be very reliable and able to work, at times, under pressure. Flexibility in respect of working different shift patterns is essential, sometimes at short notice, as we operate a year round 24/7 service.

We operate an IT based system and full training is provided. The role involves covering for staff who are absent from duties.

If you enjoy working in a busy environment and want to contribute to supporting our patients and colleagues, then we look forward to receiving your application.

Trust mandatory training and switchboard training will be provided for you to be a success in this role.

Main duties of the job

Provide telephone operator service for external and internal incoming calls via an IT based system whilst providing excellent customer service.
First response to various departmental alarms, including fire, intruder, fridge failure (bloods), oxygen, etc.
Good interpersonal skills with the ability to adjust communication styles and able to overcome barriers to understanding. Needing to act professionally, compassionately and with tact.
Operators may have callers who are highly distressed and must be able to manage these calls handing over to the appropriate professional.
To be flexible in working hours to meet the service, covering sickness and holidays, for shifts through a 24 hour cover period - this may be at short notice.

About us

We want to attract the best and brightest people to work with us and that means we wil look after you from the moment you apply for a role at the Trust and throughout your career with us. Our staff are central to everything we do, and we believe that investing in you is crucial if we want to enable you to reach your full potential.

Date posted

14 January 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£22,383 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

177-TEMP-5749688-A

Job locations

James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Lowestoft Road

Gorleston, Great Yarmouth

NR31 6LA

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for a full and comprehensive overview for this position.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for a full and comprehensive overview for this position.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

Good communication skills

Education and Qualifications

Essential

Educated to GCSE standard

Desirable

Customer Service Qualification

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

Previous switchboard or clerical experience

Desirable

Previous experience in similar capacity

Education and Qualifications

Essential

BT trained or equivalent

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

Good communication skills

Education and Qualifications

Essential

Educated to GCSE standard

Desirable

Customer Service Qualification

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

Previous switchboard or clerical experience

Desirable

Previous experience in similar capacity

Education and Qualifications

Essential

BT trained or equivalent

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information