Job summary
We are looking to recruit a highly motivated and skilled secretary, working within the Urology Service Admin Team. The role will mainly support the care of patients under specific named Urology Consultants, but the successful candidate will also be expected to work collaboratively as part of the wider Urology Service Admin Team, who collectively support many aspects of the Urology Service here at GHNFT.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be expected to manage and prioritise their own work on a daily basis and to use their initiative and discretion to manage the competing priorities. They will however work under the supervision of the Admin Manager, as well as working closely with other admin team members who will provide advice and support. The successful candidate will frequently be expected to interact with a wide number of staff from across different services including Surgeons, Urology Nurse Specialists, Service Managers and other members of the wider team.
Dealing with telephone queries, checking patient information with clerical staff / patients.
-Communicating information verbally and in writing, with patients and staff, may be barriers to understanding for example anxious patients, cultural differences, language or communication difficulties.
-To communicate effectively at all levels (e.g consultants and other clinicians, GP practices and other departments/directorates or relevant outside agencies) as appropriate in a timely and effective manner.
- Resolves problems, e.g. locating notes, appointment issues, patient queries, follow up actions when responding to queries, escalating issues when necessary
-Exercising judgement when dealing with complex and sensitive enquiries from all service users.
About us
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.
We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.
Details
Date posted
11 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 4
Salary
£27,485 to £30,162 a year pa
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
Job locations
Urology department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Gateshead
NE9 6SX
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide a comprehensive secretarial service to consultants and wider clinical team to meet internal and external standards/performance indicators
Oversee patient pathways by managing Open Referrals within Careflow
Provides support to identified consultants and wider clinical team: organising the consultants clinical, academic, and professional commitments by managing diaries; support with software systems, organising meetings, leave & associated cover / cancellations for teaching, training, performance and induction activities.
Support Admin / Waiting list Manager with patient pathway (RTT, Diagnostics and Cancer) progress for nominated consultants; monitoring progress and following up activity (e.g. investigations), arranging inter provider referral & transfer of information and investigating potential breaches identified by the Waiting List Manager.
Oversee the smooth running of clinics; managing and maximising capacity, cancellations & rescheduling, arranging additional clinics and urgent patient appointments (< 1 week) within patient pathway requirements and Service Level Agreements.
Main point of contact for patient and third parties (e.g. other consultants/ clinicians, GP, police, social care, legal) often having to deal with sensitive and complex information to resolve queries, respond to requests for information or notify third party of information as required by consultants.
Provide information to assist performance reporting and resolution of queries or complaints (e.g. INPHASE) as required.
To provide a service for the transcription and typing of communications, reports and correspondence, often of a sensitive and confidential nature in line with trust contracted timescales across the relevant service line through appropriate prioritisation delegation and supervision.
To communicate effectively at all levels in a timely and effective manner providing and receiving complex, sensitive and contentious information using a high level of interpersonal and communication skills.
Ensure that all urgent test results / correspondence is brought to the immediate attention of the Consultant and / or clinical team.
Facilitate meeting availability, organise, MDT/Professional/ other meetings as requested by the consultant.
Be responsible for own professional development by keeping up to date with mandatory training, attending regular admin meetings as facilitated by the Administration Manager, and attending annual appraisals.
Provide cross-cover for secretarial team during periods of leave or sickness.
Taking and transcribing of formal minutes and distributing these appropriately, undertaking any administrative follow-up actions as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide a comprehensive secretarial service to consultants and wider clinical team to meet internal and external standards/performance indicators
Oversee patient pathways by managing Open Referrals within Careflow
Provides support to identified consultants and wider clinical team: organising the consultants clinical, academic, and professional commitments by managing diaries; support with software systems, organising meetings, leave & associated cover / cancellations for teaching, training, performance and induction activities.
Support Admin / Waiting list Manager with patient pathway (RTT, Diagnostics and Cancer) progress for nominated consultants; monitoring progress and following up activity (e.g. investigations), arranging inter provider referral & transfer of information and investigating potential breaches identified by the Waiting List Manager.
Oversee the smooth running of clinics; managing and maximising capacity, cancellations & rescheduling, arranging additional clinics and urgent patient appointments (< 1 week) within patient pathway requirements and Service Level Agreements.
Main point of contact for patient and third parties (e.g. other consultants/ clinicians, GP, police, social care, legal) often having to deal with sensitive and complex information to resolve queries, respond to requests for information or notify third party of information as required by consultants.
Provide information to assist performance reporting and resolution of queries or complaints (e.g. INPHASE) as required.
To provide a service for the transcription and typing of communications, reports and correspondence, often of a sensitive and confidential nature in line with trust contracted timescales across the relevant service line through appropriate prioritisation delegation and supervision.
To communicate effectively at all levels in a timely and effective manner providing and receiving complex, sensitive and contentious information using a high level of interpersonal and communication skills.
Ensure that all urgent test results / correspondence is brought to the immediate attention of the Consultant and / or clinical team.
Facilitate meeting availability, organise, MDT/Professional/ other meetings as requested by the consultant.
Be responsible for own professional development by keeping up to date with mandatory training, attending regular admin meetings as facilitated by the Administration Manager, and attending annual appraisals.
Provide cross-cover for secretarial team during periods of leave or sickness.
Taking and transcribing of formal minutes and distributing these appropriately, undertaking any administrative follow-up actions as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* At least 1 year's experience of typing - evidenced in work history
* GCSE English and Maths at level C or above
* At least 1 year's experience of working as a secretary - evidenced in work history
* Evidence of using Microsoft word/excel - evidenced in work history
Desirable
* RSA 3 in Typing or Word Processing
* NVQ 3 Certificate in Business Administration
Experience
Essential
* Audio Typing certificate or audio experience - evidenced in work history
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* At least 1 year's experience of typing - evidenced in work history
* GCSE English and Maths at level C or above
* At least 1 year's experience of working as a secretary - evidenced in work history
* Evidence of using Microsoft word/excel - evidenced in work history
Desirable
* RSA 3 in Typing or Word Processing
* NVQ 3 Certificate in Business Administration
Experience
Essential
* Audio Typing certificate or audio experience - evidenced in work history
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Urology department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Gateshead
NE9 6SX
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Urology department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Gateshead
NE9 6SX
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)