Temporary Part-time Switchboard Operator
We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.
Job overview
9 month Part-time Switchboard Operator, Westmorland General Hospital
We are looking to recruit two part-time members of staff to join a small and friendly team providing switchboard services for Westmorland General Hospital, Furness General Hospital and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary. The switchboard, based at Westmorland General Hospital is a 24hour service provided over 7 days a week.
The total weekly hours of cover required are up to 37.5hrs. There are a variety of shift hours either 8am to 3.30pm, 3.30pm to 9.30pm or some weekends 8.45am to 6pm. There will also be additional hours available to assist with cover for leave.
There may be a possibility of an extension to the contract period dependant on circumstances at the time.
Allowances are paid for night and weekend working.
Main duties of the job
To operate the hospital ARC computerised switchboard and bleep systems, acting as the first point of contact for all enquiries including internal and external callers.
Follow procedures for on-call arrangements for UHMBT and other Morecambe Bay NHS organisations including, One LSC, Community, Psychiatry and Commissioning Groups
When emergencies occur, following specific procedures, assisting in coordinating responses.
Monitor alarm systems for fridges, boilers, gases and fire, taking the appropriate action in line with procedures and policies.
Provide a Porter Allocation service for the 3 main sites, communicating with all Departments, prioritising jobs to minimise disruption to patient flow and, to support the efficient use of Trust resources,Working for our organisation
This important and rewarding role involves working with colleagues responding to and directing internal and external telephone calls, use of the hospital paging systems, responding to emergency calls, ensuring rota information is kept up to date and assisting with job allocation for the Portering Departments.
Training is provided.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
General
The role requires communication with internal and external contacts to support effective responses including, to emergencies, contacting Medical Consultants directly or escalating issues by phone or bleep and, providing information to Senior Managers on call.
Act as a critical point of contact for all parties when major incidents or other emergencies occur, following specific procedures, assisting in coordinating responses to emergency crash calls (adult cardiac, adult trauma, paediatric arrest, paediatric trauma, obstetrics and neo-natal) major incidents, security or bomb alerts, covering all hospital sites
Demonstrate sensitivity, calmness, compassion and empathy whilst being polite and efficient with callers who may be patients, visitors or staff who may be anxious or angry, and may involve information, which is confidential, personal and sensitive.
Arrange for and provide cover for sickness out of hours or in the absence of the Assistant Facilities (Switchboard) Manager. This entails contacting colleagues from a central staff list for availability at short notice.
Receive and make bookings for ad hoc transport (taxis, Blood Bikers, ad hoc transport services) selecting the most cost-effective service to use to ensure transport is available in a timely fashion.
Utilise the Trust Incident reporting system to report any incident, near misses or risks and encourage colleagues to do the same
Outside office hours
Issue accommodation keys to contracted and locum staff, ensuring all documentation is signed prior to the handover of keys to the appropriate person to avoid security risks to the hospital premises and other residents.
Monitor the security cameras in Switchboard and if felt necessary or requested by others (i.e. Urgent Treatment Centre), contacting the Police.
Provide an access/ egress service, carrying out identity checks, for the WGH main hospital site overnight through either the main front hospital door or via the rear staff entrance, supporting the safety and security of the hospital and all persons present
Person specification
Essentail
Essential criteria- 5 GSCEs or equivalent education
- Advanced keyboard skills and experience in Microsoft Office packages and spreadsheets
- Excellent communication skills
- Able to work as part of a team
- Ability to prioritise and make decisions
- Calm, helpful and sympathetic
It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
- Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.
- This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
- Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
- Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants, who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application, will be short-listed.
Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS)
If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained.
The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary.However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed.
The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38.
This cost is not applicable for a Volunteer post
The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust.
We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.
We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background.
We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.
Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.
If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible. By telephone 01254 732075 or email [email protected] or write to Employment Services, Parkview Offices, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, BB2 3HH