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Job summary

Main area
Admin
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent: Full-time
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Mon-Fri)
Job ref
333-J-HA-0767
Employer
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Mental Health Centre, Northwick Park Hospital
Town
Harrow
Salary
£30,630 - £32,346 per annum inc HCAS
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
16/11/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust logo

Administrator/Receptionist

NHS AfC: Band 3

 

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond.  We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run. 

Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation.  We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference.  We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles.  For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our   Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page

Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Job overview

We are seeking a motivated and professional Administrator/Receptionist to join our team at Mental Health Centre in borough of Harrow in London. This is a pivotal role providing a welcoming and efficient front-of-house service for patients, visitors, and staff, while ensuring the effective day-to-day running of the Harrow Inpatient Older People’s and Healthy Ageing (OPHA) team, Ellington Ward, Mental Health Team.

As the first point of contact, you will create a calm, compassionate, and professional environment for those accessing our services. The role combines reception duties with a wide range of administrative support to clinical teams, including managing appointments, maintaining accurate records, coordinating room bookings. You will liaise with patients, clinical colleagues, managers, and external agencies to ensure services are delivered safely and efficiently.

This role is well-suited to someone who is organised, approachable, and confident in managing competing demands in a busy healthcare setting. You will need excellent communication skills, a strong focus on confidentiality and patient care, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

You will be expected to uphold the Trust’s values and provide flexible support to meet the needs of the service, including occasionally working at other Trust locations.

Main duties of the job

    • Provide a professional front-of-house service at The Mental Health Centre, acting as the first point of contact for patients, visitors, and staff.
    • Manage reception services, including handling enquiries, monitoring visitor access, booking appointments, and maintaining accurate records.
    • Deliver a wide range of administrative support to clinical teams, such as processing referrals when needed, updating clinical systems (SystmOne), managing correspondence, and coordinating room bookings.
    • Ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the site by liaising with Estates and Facilities, escalating issues, and conducting regular safety checks.
    • Take on key site responsibilities as Nominated Fire Officer ensuring compliance with health and safety, fire safety, and emergency procedures.
    • Oversee procurement and stock control of clinical and administrative supplies.
    • Promote Trust values, professionalism, and a safe, supportive environment for both patients and staff, while engaging in personal development and service improvement initiatives.

Working for our organisation

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) is one of the largest and most diverse NHS trusts in the UK, providing physical and mental health services across London, Milton Keynes, Surrey, and beyond. We are proud of our reputation for innovation, quality, and compassionate care. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we are committed to supporting their wellbeing, learning, and development. 

Please note: This vacancy does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship, unless you meet the criteria by temporary exemption from current changes to immigration rules put in force on 22/07/2025. “Separate provisions are applied to workers who have been sponsored and held continuously Skilled Worker visa since prior to 04/04/2024."

As such, if you don’t meet the Transitional Provision (above) we are unable to consider your application unless you can provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom. If you believe you are eligible for sponsorship or already hold a valid right to work in the UK, please ensure you provide full details of your immigration status in the Pre-Screening Immigration section of your application form.

Please note role eligibility also depends on whether the role meets the salary threshold for the relevant occupational code (SOC CODE).

For further info please visit: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Reception Cover & Administrative Support

·       Deliver high-quality reception services, ensuring the environment is welcoming, calm, and professional.

·       Act as first point of contact for patients and the public; handle enquiries with sensitivity and discretion.

·       Maintain continuity and safety by providing consistent reception staffing amidst frequent turnover.

·       Provide full administrative support to clinical teams, including SystmOne data input.

·       Communicate effectively by telephone and email, handling queries or complaints and escalating appropriately.

·       Book and coordinate use of rooms across the site, resolving scheduling conflicts.

  • Please see the job description for full details of the role and responsibilities. 

Person specification

Educational qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Educated to GCSE standard (A – C Grade) or equivalent, including English Language and Maths
Desirable criteria
  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience

previous experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working in the NHS or a similarly large organisation
  • Significant secretarial or administrative experience
  • Experience of dealing with internal and external stakeholders, managing a range of queries (including non routine)
  • Experience of working in a reception or customer-facing environment
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of using electronic patient record systems (e.g. SystmOne, IAPTUS)
  • Experience of working in a health or social care environment
  • Knowledge of medical terminology

skills, knowledge and abilities

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate clearly with patients, relatives, and health professionals both orally and in writing
  • Excellent customer service skills with a welcoming and professional manner
  • Ability to work as an effective team member, building constructive relationships with warmth and empathy
  • Ability to work under pressure, planning own workload and to competing demands
  • Ability to record, maintain, and use databases accurately
  • Competent IT skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
Desirable criteria
  • Familiarity with NHS administrative systems and processes

Other

Essential criteria
  • Able to exercise initiative, flexibility, and tact
  • Ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities
  • Self-motivated, reliable, enthusiastic, and approachable
  • Commitment to confidentiality, data protection, and information governance
  • Awareness and understanding of Equal Opportunities and a commitment to implement them in practice

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDWe are a Living Wage EmployerEmployers for CarersPurple SpaceHealthy Workplace - Excellence 2018Veteran AwareNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeNational Autistic SocietyDisability confident committedStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.AccessAbleStonewall Gold 2022Step into healthCarer Confident -AccomplishedNHS Rainbow Badge - BronzeArmed Forces CovenantStonewall Gold 2024Working Chance - unlocking women's potentialProud Employer

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Margie Hammond
Job title
Admin Team Leader
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0208 8692322
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