Job summary
- Main area
- Diagnostics
- Grade
- Band 2
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 27 hours per week (Working on a shift pattern that includes weekdays, nights and weekends)
- Job ref
- 210-2026-96-A
- Employer
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Countess of Chester Hospital
- Town
- Chester
- Salary
- £24,465 pa pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 01/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Switchboard Operator
Band 2
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
Working Part time : 27 - 30 hours per week (this include shifts during nights and weekends).
We are looking for highly motivated individuals to provide comprehensive switchboard service to The Countess of Chester Hospital, as directed by the Team Leaders. The successful candidate must be able to work using their own initiative, and also as part of a busy team.
You will be required to cover a shift pattern over 7 days a week with evenings, weekends and nights as part of a 24-hour service. Candidates must be flexible to help us achieve a safe, kind and effective service.
Main duties of the job
1. Making and receiving a large number of telephone calls from Staff, Patients, Relatives and other members of the public and connecting them quickly in the most appropriate manner to the person or department they require, using personal knowledge and an electronic telephone directory (equivalent to searching a database).
2. Act calmly, quickly and accurately to any emergency call (on average 20 per week) to alert the correct team and take immediate and precise action according to written procedures and knowledge gained over time. This involves being conversant with all emergency procedures for Switchboard, including:
- Cardiac Arrest and Medical Emergency calls
Missing child or abducted baby
Fire and medical gas alarms
Panic alarms or Security requests
Major Incidents
Evacuation of Switchboard or moving to back up systems
Bomb threats
This also involves fast and accurate use of the operator console and hospital bleep system (including using voice over messages) and calls to the emergency services
Working for our organisation
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person specification
Qualification
Essential criteria
- A Minimum of 3 GCSE’s or equivalent
- Computer Literate
Desirable criteria
- ECDL
- Basic Level CTC (IHRIM)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Previous Clerical Experience
- Previous Customer Service Experience
- Experience of taking high volumes of calls from the general public
- A period of up to six weeks training is expected, dependent on previous experience before an operator is conversant with the job role. Further knowledge is gained in the role over time.
Desirable criteria
- Previous NHS Clerical Experience
- Knowledge of hospital terminology and departments
- Experience of operating a computerised Switchboard console.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Lianne Thompson
- Job title
- Outpatient Coordinator
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01244 362009
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