Job summary The post holder will provide comprehensive, quality, confidential administrative support to the SMASH (Sandbach, Middlewich, Alsager, Scholar Green, Haslington) Care Community Team employed by the Trust. The Operational Service Assistant will be expected to organise their own workload and co-ordinate their activities in conjunction with, and supervised by the Care Community Co-ordinator, to ensure that an efficient service is provided. The post holder will be capable of the full administrative function within the team, and be able to step in to fill gaps, to ensure continuity of services. It is essential that the post holder is able to exercise initiative suitable to the role, and is fully supportive of other colleagues within the team. Main duties of the job The Operational Service Assistant will provide comprehensive, quality, confidential administrative support to the Care Community Teams which provide the urgent community response. Duties include managing calls, referrals and supporting the clinical staff. They will be expected to organise their own workload, ensuring that an efficient service is provided to the population of the CCICP Care Communities. It is essential that the post holder is able to exercise initiative suitable to the role and is fully supportive of other colleagues within the team. About us Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) provides good quality, safe and effective healthcare to the people of Cheshire and beyond. The Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, was established as an NHS Trust in April 1991 and became a Foundation Trust in April 2008. We employ almost 5,000 members of staff, provide around 540 hospital beds, with a range of services including accident and emergency, maternity, outpatients, therapies, and children's health. The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal. During the Coronavirus pandemic, the Trust was recognised nationally for its 'Be Safe Be EquiPPEd' campaign, which aimed to make the Trust as safe as possible for staff and patients, through supporting the correct use of PPE. The results in the 2020 national NHS Staff Survey showed improvements in all elements of the safety culture theme, with 92% of respondents feeling their role made a difference to our patients. We were also recognised nationally for our workforce health and wellbeing initiatives. At Mid Cheshire, we value our staff and appreciate that in order to give our patients the best quality, compassionate care, we also need to look after our colleagues. Date posted 20 December 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year pa pro rata Contract Fixed term Duration 18 months Working pattern Part-time Reference number 412-COMM-2982 Job locations Infinity House Mallard Way Crewe CW1 6ZD Job description Job responsibilities SERVICE DELIVERY To provide comprehensive administrative support to the Care Community Team and associated Specialist services including managing calls, referrals, and supporting the clinical staff to respond to the health needs of the population of the Care Community. To support the Care Community Co-ordinator to liaise with a range of internal and external services and teams regarding appointments and multi-disciplinary meetings. Exercise own judgement based on acquired knowledge and experience, as to when to deal with queries personally, and when to involve other team members in the Care Community Team and with what degree of urgency. Build and maintain constructive relationships with others, within the department and externally in order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of services to patients and support signposting where appropriate of queries and referrals. Be conversant with all required electronic systems for correspondence, including specialist computer systems, and be able to obtain information from the Intranet/Internet, if requested to do so. Provide information to parents/carers where appropriate, according to agreed guidelines, where appropriate. Support Care Community Team with audits, reports and other activity measurement as necessary, including managing databases, obtaining information, and in the presentation of the results. To carry out other responsibilities / duties at the request of the senior / Line Manager, according to the job holders competency to do so. GOVERNANCE To establish and maintain effective communication, maintaining confidentiality of information in accordance with Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts Policy in Respect of Confidentiality. To support the development and maintenance of systems and processes to continually monitor standards and to assist in the implementation of action plans to improve quality of service. To contribute to the effective management of risk to ensure that lessons are learnt from issues arising from risk reports/complaints, etc. To ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures, and guidelines, by taking action/alerting senior management team if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care. MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP Act as a role model by demonstrating expertise, and by maintaining credibility within the department, and with external agencies, to ensure a positive image of the Trust is maintained. Assist with the implementation of local induction programmes for new members of the team. Support the department in the effective use of resources, eg, equipment, supplies and materials. Maintain a healthy, safe and secure working environment, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, maintaining accurate documentation and reporting any concerns to senior management team. EDUCATION/LEARNING To take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including full participation in appraisal, supervision, action learning, and by maintaining a portfolio of learning. Assist in the maintenance of systems and processes to ensure that learning needs are identified and met, and that all learning is planned, implemented, evaluated, and shared in order to improve services. This job description is an outline of the role and function. It is not intended to describe all specific tasks. Job description Job responsibilities SERVICE DELIVERY To provide comprehensive administrative support to the Care Community Team and associated Specialist services including managing calls, referrals, and supporting the clinical staff to respond to the health needs of the population of the Care Community. To support the Care Community Co-ordinator to liaise with a range of internal and external services and teams regarding appointments and multi-disciplinary meetings. Exercise own judgement based on acquired knowledge and experience, as to when to deal with queries personally, and when to involve other team members in the Care Community Team and with what degree of urgency. Build and maintain constructive relationships with others, within the department and externally in order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of services to patients and support signposting where appropriate of queries and referrals. Be conversant with all required electronic systems for correspondence, including specialist computer systems, and be able to obtain information from the Intranet/Internet, if requested to do so. Provide information to parents/carers where appropriate, according to agreed guidelines, where appropriate. Support Care Community Team with audits, reports and other activity measurement as necessary, including managing databases, obtaining information, and in the presentation of the results. To carry out other responsibilities / duties at the request of the senior / Line Manager, according to the job holders competency to do so. GOVERNANCE To establish and maintain effective communication, maintaining confidentiality of information in accordance with Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts Policy in Respect of Confidentiality. To support the development and maintenance of systems and processes to continually monitor standards and to assist in the implementation of action plans to improve quality of service. To contribute to the effective management of risk to ensure that lessons are learnt from issues arising from risk reports/complaints, etc. To ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures, and guidelines, by taking action/alerting senior management team if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care. MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP Act as a role model by demonstrating expertise, and by maintaining credibility within the department, and with external agencies, to ensure a positive image of the Trust is maintained. Assist with the implementation of local induction programmes for new members of the team. Support the department in the effective use of resources, eg, equipment, supplies and materials. Maintain a healthy, safe and secure working environment, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, maintaining accurate documentation and reporting any concerns to senior management team. EDUCATION/LEARNING To take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including full participation in appraisal, supervision, action learning, and by maintaining a portfolio of learning. Assist in the maintenance of systems and processes to ensure that learning needs are identified and met, and that all learning is planned, implemented, evaluated, and shared in order to improve services. This job description is an outline of the role and function. It is not intended to describe all specific tasks. Person Specification Qualifications Essential 5 GCSE's grade C or equivalent. Must include English. Proficient in Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and Power point. ECDL or equivalent Desirable Knowledge of medical terminology Experience Essential Previous Administrative experience Knowledge of confidentiality in accordance with Data Protection Act and national/local guidelines Desirable Understanding of health records/waiting lists Understanding of computer systems used by the department skills and knowledge Essential Excellent verbal and written communication skills Ability to prioritise own workload Good interpersonal skills Excellent time management and organisational skills Proactively manage change Desirable Experience of working in an office environment Person Specification Qualifications Essential 5 GCSE's grade C or equivalent. Must include English. Proficient in Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and Power point. ECDL or equivalent Desirable Knowledge of medical terminology Experience Essential Previous Administrative experience Knowledge of confidentiality in accordance with Data Protection Act and national/local guidelines Desirable Understanding of health records/waiting lists Understanding of computer systems used by the department skills and knowledge Essential Excellent verbal and written communication skills Ability to prioritise own workload Good interpersonal skills Excellent time management and organisational skills Proactively manage change Desirable Experience of working in an office environment 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 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). Employer details Employer name Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Infinity House Mallard Way Crewe CW1 6ZD Employer's website https://www.mcht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)