Job summary
- Main area
- Estates
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 2
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 354-EF-20304
- Employer
- Sussex Partnership NHS FoundationTrust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Amberstone Hospital - Hybrid
- Town
- Hailsham
- Salary
- £24,169 pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 26/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Switchboard Telephonist
NHS AfC: Band 2
Come and join us
We're looking for people who share our values (compassion, accountability and optimism) to help us provide high quality care to the patients, carers, families and local communities we serve. We specialise in providing NHS mental health and learning disability services.
So what can we offer you in return?
We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.
You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.
As a Trust we are committed in making a difference. Your development is important to us, so don't forget to ask us during interview what opportunities we can offer. We can offer fully funded lifelong learning opportunities such as an apprenticeship from GCSE to Masters level.
If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.
Job overview
An opportunity has arisen for a Telephonist to operate our Trust’s main 24/7 central Switchboard.
The post holder will work as part of a team on the switchboard performing the operations in an efficient and courteous manner with particular emphasis on customer care.
Act as a first point of contact to Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Providing general non-clinical advice, information guidance or ancillary services directly to patients, clients, relatives or carers, out of hours support for doctors and support services.
We are looking for a self-motivated individual to join our busy Support Services Team. You should be enthusiastic, have a friendly disposition, possess good communication skills and be able to adopt a flexible approach to the varied tasks assigned to you.
To meet the needs of a 24/7 public facing service the post holder will be required to work shifts, including working a combination of daytime and evening hours on weekdays, weekends and Bank Holidays.
Main duties of the job
To work as a team member with flexible approach. The operator is responsible for the efficient performance of the switchboard duties. Aiding for patients, visitors and staff.
We are looking for an individual who can work well on their own and who can offer an excellent service for all users of the switchboard service
Experience is desirable but not essential, as training will be given. The successful candidate will need to have an excellent telephone manner and be able to deal with a variety of other tasks, including alarm calls, in a calm and professional manner.
No experience of working within the NHS or a mental health environment is required, but experience of working with the general public is essential.
Working for our organisation
We value our workforce and will ensure that the successful candidate will have the training and support needed to achieve the highest standards possible.
If you feel that you can make a positive contribution to our team and work to our exacting standards we welcome your application.
Were a large NHS Mental Health Trust in South East England. We’re looking for people to help us provide high quality services for the patients, carers and local communities we serve.
We want patients and staff to recommend our organisation as a place where they would be happy for their friends and family to be treated. You can help us do this by bringing your skills, experience and commitment to Sussex Partnership
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Summary of job description:
- Operate the Trust’s telephone network switchboard in a friendly, courteous, helpful and efficient manner.
- Dealing with calls of a sensitive or difficult nature with calmness, discretion and compassion – ensuring strict confidentiality at all times.
- Ensure that appropriate written records are duly kept up to date, in accordance with local requirements.
- To use the computer to enable locating staff on the intranet telephone directory and to assist with ensuring the directory is up to date.
Further detail can be found on the job description.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Good Secondary Level Education
Knowledge/Experience
Desirable criteria
- Switchboard Experience
Skills
Essential criteria
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Good team worker
- Ability to deal with difficult situations
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Kirsten Carter
- Job title
- E&F Helpdesk and Switchboard Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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