Job summary
- Main area
- Support across a range of secretarial teams and clinical specialties
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- 12 months (Please note that this fixed-term appointment is linked to a secondment arrangement. Should the substantive postholder return to their position earlier than anticipated, or should the secondment end for any reason before the stated end date, the fixed-term appointment may be terminated early. Appropriate notice will be provided in accordance with the terms and conditions of employment.)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
- Job ref
- 387-WD7437-RUH
- Employer
- Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Weston General Hospital
- Town
- Weston-super-Mare
- Salary
- £25,760 - £27,476 pa pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 06/09/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Support Medical Secretary
Band 3
North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.
Job overview
The department is fast paced, and the successful candidate will need to demonstrate excellent teamwork skills and the ability to work effectively within team.
This role is part of a team of three Secretary vacancies, and the successful candidates will work closely with colleagues to ensure the smooth running of the service. They must be able to work independently, prioritise tasks, and manage their own workload effectively.
As the role involves regular contact with patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals via telephone and email, applicants must have excellent communication skills and a courteous, professional, and empathetic manner.
The successful candidate will need a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 and experience of proofreading and editing documents.
This is a 12-month secondment opportunity. Please note that if the secondment ends earlier than anticipated, or the substantive postholder returns to their role before the end of the secondment period, this appointment may be terminated early in line with the appropriate notice provisions.
Main duties of the job
- To support the Senior Medical Secretaries on a day-to-day basis with admin, typing of letters and overseeing of basic tasks
- To liaise with and act as a point of contact for clinical and non-clinical staff via telephone and email
- To act as a point of contact for patients, relatives and carers. The post holder should be polite and empathetic to the patient’s needs at all times and be able to communicate effectively when dealing with difficult situations/conversations
- Returning calls promptly and keeping callers updated with information in an effective and efficient way
- Escalate patient queries, capacity problems and general issues to the role’s line manager or relevant clinical staff as appropriate
- To show a caring and professional approach towards patients, relatives and carers. This may require acting with resilience to deal with sometimes distressed patients and relatives in a professional and empathetic manner
Working for our organisation
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.
With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
- Educated to GCSE, grade C or above (or equivalent) in English Language and Maths
- Business and Administration Level 3 NVQ or equivalent experience
- Qualified in word processing or audio typing (or equivalent)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of dealing with the public, both on the telephone and in person
Desirable criteria
- Previous NHS experience
- Understanding of medical terminology
- Clerical / administrative experience
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Effective and polite manner when dealing with people, both face to face and on the phone
- Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines whilst maintaining a high standard of accuracy
- Ability to work effectively in a busy team, adjust to change and motivate others
- Ability to work on your own, using your own initiative, if required
- Confidence to handle difficult conversations with patients, relatives and carers
- Ability to adapt to use new computer packages and programmes
- Effective organisational skills
- Good IT skills including Microsoft packages
- Attention to detail
- Good secretarial and audio typing skills
Aptitudes
Essential criteria
- Supportive
- Respectful
- Innovative
- Collaborative
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Ilona poziomek
- Job title
- Administration Team Leader
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01934881282
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