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Main area: Communications Operative (Switchboard) Grade Band 3
Contract: Permanent: Full time or part time, minimum 15hrs/wk. To cover 24/7 rota
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Minimum 15hrs per week, full time preferred) Job ref 279-6784458-MAR25
Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Royal Sussex County Hospital
Town: Brighton
Salary: £24,071 - £25,674 Per annum pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 28/03/2025 23:59
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, ambition, and values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented, and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First. In fact, our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto, and you will play a part in driving us forwards and improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff, which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work-life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching, and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career, we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
Advert – Communications Operative / Switchboard Operator Royal Sussex County Hospital Brighton
Minimum hours 15 hours per week (37.5 Hours preferred). The shifts to cover the 24hr service over 7 days a week.
Band 3 - £24,071 – 25,674 (pro rata) per annum, plus extra unsocial hour’s enhancements pay for working night shifts.
The Switchboards are based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, and the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath. This position is based at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
The telephony staff are normally the initial contact between members of the public, patients, and hospital personnel. The post holder will be required to actively promote a positive and professional image and attitude to both internal and external callers at all times. They will be required to promote a professional manner and communicate effectively with patients, members of the public, GP’s, trust staff, departments, visitors, and suppliers.
Telephony staff are required to operate various computerized systems where IT skills are required, to operate all departmental communication systems and undertake all Switchboard and Telecoms clerical duties.
Main duties of the job
Telephonists are required to work as part of a team in an often-stressful environment with constant interruptions operating a computerized console, responding to calls, monitoring alarms both medical and service, and activating emergency procedures. To ensure the services (which include the implementation of emergency and medical procedures, alarm monitoring, and helpdesks) are maintained throughout the 24-hour operation.
Staff are required to frequently work under their own initiative and to make immediate decisions in the event of problems, especially when working unsupervised or alone. All staff endeavor to meet agreed response times; however, abnormal fluctuations (emergencies, working alone) can significantly increase pressures on the service.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching, and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career, we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The telephony staff are normally the initial contact between members of the public, patients, and hospital personnel. The post holder will be required to actively promote a positive and professional image and attitude to both internal and external callers at all times. They will be required to promote a professional manner and communicate effectively with patients, members of the public, GP’s, trust staff, departments, visitors, and suppliers.
Telephonists are required to work as part of a team in an often stressful environment with constant interruptions operating a computerized console, responding to calls, monitoring alarms both medical and service, and activating emergency procedures. To ensure the services (which include the implementation of emergency and medical procedures, alarm monitoring, and helpdesks) are maintained throughout the 24-hour operation.
Staff are required to frequently work under their own initiative and make immediate decisions in the event of problems, especially when working unsupervised or alone. All staff endeavor to meet agreed response times; however, abnormal fluctuations (emergencies, working alone) can significantly increase pressures on the service.
Telephony staff are required to operate various computerized systems where IT skills are required, to operate all departmental communication systems and undertake all Switchboard and Telecoms clerical duties.
* Flexible and commitment to work 24/7/365 shifts
* Agree/Confirm requirements of the JD
* NVQ level 3 Customer care or equivalent plus previous experience
* Successfully completed a course of secondary education (GCSE) English and Maths
* Knowledge of Outlook/email/ IT skills
* Knowledge of medical terminology
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Important information for applicants:
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigration eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Further Information
For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net.
For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Name: Abi Steers
Job title: Head of Telecommunications and Helpdesk Services
Email address: abi.steers@nhs.net
Telephone number: 01273 067 878
Additional information: email preferred
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