Job summary
Are you a caring, motivated individual with a professional, courteous manner? Were looking for a Call Handler to join us at our Head Office in Carlisle, where youll play a key role in connecting patients with the care they need.
As a Call Handler, youll use your excellent communication skills to ensure patients receive the right advice, in the right place, at the right time. Youll manage calls with empathy and efficiency, working to provide timely, effective support.
Key Details:
1. Location : Head Office, Carlisle
2. Hours : Minimum 15 hours per week, Monday to Friday, between 8 am 7 pm
3. Training : Full induction and ongoing support provided
Application Deadline : 28 November 2024
Please note: We may close applications early once weve received a sufficient number, so apply soon!
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be the initial point ofcontact for patients and professionals telephoning to request Primary Medicalcare Out of Hours.
The Control Room operates 24/7, this role is primarily for the out of hours services.
About us
Cumbria Health places the patient, their family and their community at the heart of everything we do. We are an award-winning organisation, the first out-of-hours organisation in the country to be rated as outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
We provide primary health care services, both in and out of hours, across Cumbria. We are values-driven and place great emphasis on inclusivity and the wellbeing and development of our staff, while striving to provide a consistently high-quality service. Our service is designed to improve health and wellbeing.
Working for Cumbria Health can offer flexible opportunities in terms of location, hours and working patterns so you can enjoy a great work life balance. In order to provide the best patient care we understand the importance of ensuring staff satisfaction and are consistently trying to ensure we offer our staff a positive working environment whether that be though training or social events.
Listen to your heart. Have the work life balance you'd love.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This list of duties and responsibilities, which follows, represents the broad range of tasks which may be required to be undertaken either routinely or periodically. This list is not exhaustive and the role may include additional duties which are not listed here.
First and foremost the post holder will be the initial point of contact for patients and professionals telephoning to request Primary Medical care Out of Hours.
Main Responsibilities
1. To deal with calls from the public/health professionals in a prompt and professional manner, calls are randomly audited with feedback provided on a monthly basis
2. To co-ordinate information from incoming calls in order to alert the necessary medical personnel/ services to meet the patients needs
3. To follow advice, guidance and requests from the Supervisor on shift to ensure the smooth running of the service across the county. The Supervisor may delegate tasks relating to other services when you are on shift.
4. To follow in house protocols and procedures to match patient symptoms/criteria with available services
5. Ensure you log into the relevant Control Room Dashboard online guide for reference on shift, this includes links and logging on information for systems and service relevant to shift
6. To maintain knowledge and meet training requirements for any new services or changes to current service provision
7. To liaise with a wide range of internal personnel and outside agencies Clinicians, Pharmacy, NWAS call centres, District Nurses, and Paramedics.
8. To ensure the CHoC guide and all relevant systems for the Controller role are logged into and uploaded
9. To ensure control room equipment is fully functional at all times, reporting any problems to the Control Room Supervisor
10. To use a variety of computerised systems to record patient details (Adastra, Emis, Health Call, Symphony etc this list is not exhaustive),
11. To keep up to date with all changes in the processing of patient details through the various systems dependant on need, this will include Digital services and remote monitoring
12. Regularly log onto your CHoC email account and familiarise yourself with the CHoC website (in particular the Staff Section).
13. To log onto the email account when required on shift
14. To be flexible and adaptable with regards to shifts and support your team in rota cover particularly over busy periods such as Christmas and Easter
15. To adhere to all CHOC Policies and Procedures.
16. Participate and ensure own on-going development, maintaining compliance for mandatory training.
17. To meet the OOH Controller Competence Matrix within your induction period, these matrices will be reviewed in your annual 1-2-1s. The competency matrix will also be reviewed annually
18. Training can be given to enable the post holder to progress into District Nurse, Despatch, Virtual Reception or Daytime Controller shifts plus pick up a variety of additional duties you may be delegated this will require the completion of further competency matrices.
19. To maintain a high level of confidentiality and comply with the Data Protection Act. Be aware of the nature of information dealt with and work in a manner which ensures confidentiality and security at all times.
20. To carry out any other reasonable duties in departments/locations as and when required, subject to training and capabilities.
21. Undertake any other activities deemed appropriate and necessary by the organisation.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
4. Intermediate computer skills
5. Experience of working with various systems
6. Confidence in adapting to new systems
Desirable
7. Previous experience working within the NHS
8. Previous experience in a similar role
Qualifications
Essential
9. GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent)
Desirable
10. IT or system training qualifications
11. NVQ Business Administration
Other requirements
Essential
12. Willingness to undertake further training especially in the systems and services required for this role
13. Desire to continue learning new skills
Personal Attributes
Essential
14. Positive and good team player
15. Confident
16. Be able to manage and adapt to change
17. Well organised with good time keeping
18. Flexible with the ability to work at late notice and support your team
19. Ability to build rapport and effective relationships at all levels
20. Ability to step up in a busy and demanding environment
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
21. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including exceptional telephone manner
22. Friendly, helpful and can do approach
23. Close attention to detail and ability to log information accurately and in a timely manner
24. Excellent organisational skills
25. Ability to use your own initiative to complete tasks requiring action without being asked
26. Ability to problem solve
27. Desire to continue learning
28. Able to work under pressure and keep calm
29. Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality