Communications Operator Bodmin, England
Job description
Communications Operator
Band 2
Thank you for your interest in joining us at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
We pride ourselves in striving to be an employer of choice.
Strategic Themes
Great Care
We will deliver safe, high quality, consistent and personalised care based on best practice. We are working to be a responsive organisation that listens and learns.
Great Organisation
We work to be a green organisation, and our sustainability plan will deliver NHS net zero targets. We will support quality care, research and innovation. All our work will be underpinned by clear and transparent principles and systems.
Great People
We will work together with our staff to create an organisation that supports our collective health and wellbeing. We will attract, retain and develop great people, and embed a caring, open, inclusive and restorative just culture that supports us to deliver quality care.
Great Partner
With our partners we will deliver health care that improves people’s quality of life, prevents ill health and reduces inequalities. We will spend our money wisely to achieve high quality outcomes that matter to local people.
At the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that’s job share, part time or another flexible pattern. In addition, although the role advertised may have a ‘home’ office base indicated, we remain committed to supporting flexibility around workplace locations. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
The successful applicant will be an NHS employee and may therefore have contact with vulnerable service users. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been necessary to take significant steps to protect the health and safety of our staff, service users and those attending our sites. Unless exempt, we encourage and support staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.
Job overview
The Switchboard service is a critical frontline service based at Bodmin Hospital providing a comprehensive, efficient, and quality based communication service across the health community in Cornwall, managing over 240,000 calls per annum.
The service supports the Trust, NHS Kernow (KCCG) and One Cornwall (Social Services) with forwarding of calls and message handling in addition to approximately 30 teams/services within the Trust. It is a vital role in assisting out of hours services and holding the operational ‘on call’ rotas.
In addition the Switchboard is the first point of contact for a range of emergency lines, including fire phone, intruder alarms, Sowenna staff attack, Bodmin Hospital security CCTV and more recently the Urgent Crisis Referral, as well as the co-ordination of several services such as Cornwall Blood Bikes.
The service is provided 24 hours, 365 days per year and the successful candidate must be prepared to work on rotas’ across these timeframes, which will include weekends, bank holidays and lone working at night, flexibility is essential.
You must have previous experience of dealing with the general public and possess excellent communication skills both written and verbal and also be able to adapt quickly to changes.
Previous experience as a telephonist and knowledge of office systems with keyboard and computer skills are desirable.
There are 2 x 16 hour contracts available.
The banding for this role is currently under review.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be given a minimum of 3 months training to bring them up to speed with the diversity of the services which use the Switchboard.
The post holder will work shifts to provide a comprehensive communication service to all Trust Managers, Department heads and users of the service.
The post holder will at all times be courteous and attentive to customers both internally and external to the NHS Health Community within Cornwall.
Working within the Communications Department providing a comprehensive central communication service across the whole of Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust and the Health Community.
Staffing an efficient and quality based communications service over 214 hours, 365 days per year.
Staffing a reception service to Bodmin Hospital.
Working for our organisation
We’re an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people’s physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.
We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.
Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.
We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.
Just over 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increases the numbers of people who use our services.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see ‘supporting documents’.
Person specification
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Keyboard skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to work logically, clearly and calmly whilst under pressure
Desirable criteria
- Exeperience of dealing with difficult customers or patients
Training and Education
Essential criteria
- Previous experience in relevant discipline or similar
- Knowledge of Health & Safety
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- Previous experience of using a switchboard
- Previous experience of dealing with the public/customer service
- Knowledge of Office Systems and Microsoft PC software suites
Desirable criteria
- Previous NHS experience
- Previous telephonist/customer service experience
Other Requirements
Essential criteria
- Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal
- Understanding of confidentiality
- Excellent interpersonal skills
At Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust we are proud to prioritise the development of our people. To support this, the following opportunities are available:
- Career conversations and individual development plans for succession planning and talent management
- Protected CPD time for registered staff
- Access to a dedicated central development fund supporting CPD for all staff
- Leadership and Management development programmes
- Coaching and mentoring opportunities
- A full clinical induction programme for operational skills
- Access to a care certificate programme for our band 1-4 clinical staff
- A bespoke and robust preceptorship programme to support newly qualified staff
- Individual professional development programmes
Being part of a successful NHS Foundation Trust brings a portfolio of rewards and benefits for our staff. These include:
- Suite of health and wellbeing initiatives to support our colleagues physical and mental health
- Free access to individual HARP portfolios to support revalidation for nursing staff
- Free DBS checks where required
- Discounts available from retailers, UK hotels and main attractions
- NHS Pension Scheme
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- The Trust reimburses all application costs for staff eligible to apply for EU settlement status.
The Trust reserves the right to close this advert once a sufficient number of applications have been submitted. It is encouraged that you complete the application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.
If you are successful at the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process you will be contacted via TRAC.jobs email regarding interview details.
We are committed to diversity and equality of employment including the employment of current and former service users.
If you are successful, you agree to Occupational Health accessing your health records from your current or previous employer to check the status of your inoculations and screening tests. Appointments are subject to full three year satisfactory references therefore please ensure you include correct contact details for your nominated referees including email addresses.
Any general recruitment queries, please contact our recruitment team on 01208 834644
