Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Telephonist

The closing date is 03 July 2025

Job summary

Our Switchboard team are looking to recruit 2 x part time telephonists to join our busy, friendly team based at Maidstone Hospital.

The successful applicants would preferably have previous switchboard experience, whilst working in a busy hospital. You will also need a good education to GCSE standard with keyboard skills and an understanding of IT systems, however full training will be given.

Main duties of the job

Being one of the frontline services for the Trust, the switchboard's aim is to deliver a consistently high standard of customer care whilst working in a busy environment. We are looking for real team players with flexibility and self-motivation, if you think you have the relevant skills and experience and would like to join us please tell us in your statement what you could bring to the team.

Switchboard is operational 365 days per year, 24/7, for this role you will be rostered to work between the hours of 06.00- 22.00 and this will include working within an established rota, with some weekends and bank holidays.

You will be expected to cover annual leave and sick leave when required and Bank Holidays where scheduled.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?

We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

o At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).o Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefitso Blue Light card eligibilityo And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Details

Date posted

19 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

359-7114441-T4-A

Job locations

Maidstone Hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE Standard of Education or equivalent

Desirable

  • NVQ level 2 in customer service or equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • Work independently without supervision
  • Working as part of a close team

Desirable

  • Previous switchboard experience in a hospital environment

Skills

Essential

  • Customer Care focused
  • IT Skills, eg; Basic computer knowledge
  • Good organisational skills

Desirable

  • Previous experience of using a computer-based console
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE Standard of Education or equivalent

Desirable

  • NVQ level 2 in customer service or equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • Work independently without supervision
  • Working as part of a close team

Desirable

  • Previous switchboard experience in a hospital environment

Skills

Essential

  • Customer Care focused
  • IT Skills, eg; Basic computer knowledge
  • Good organisational skills

Desirable

  • Previous experience of using a computer-based console

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Maidstone Hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Employer's website

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Maidstone Hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Employer's website

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Switchboard Manager

Karen Finn

karen.finn@nhs.net

01622224240

Details

Date posted

19 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

359-7114441-T4-A

Job locations

Maidstone Hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Supporting documents

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