Job summary An opportunity has arisen for a flexible full time Switchboard Operator based at Conquest Hospital. You will be joining a small, friendly team working on a busy switchboard, delivering a vital 24-hour, 365-day service for East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. This role operates on a rostered, ever-changing shift pattern (covering 24hrs a day), with a default working arrangement of office hours. You will receive a minimum of one month's notice of your upcoming duty roster. The Switchboard is the first point of contact for the Trust. You will be required to confidently operate a computer-based switchboard system, answering calls in a professional manner and managing enquiries from patients, relatives, visitors, and GPs, as well as handling all calls, bleeps, and pagers. You will also be responsible for responding calmly and efficiently to a wide range of emergency calls, including cardiac arrests, trauma alerts, fire calls, and alarm systems, within a fast-paced communications environment. Full training will be provided for the successful candidate. Where applicable, this post may attract unsocial hours payments, if rostered, in line with the Agenda for Change terms. Enhanced rates apply for weekday night shifts (8pm-6am), weekends, and bank holidays. Main duties of the job Work as a telephonist, dealing with all incoming calls to the Switchboard. Switchboard operates on a 24hr pattern. Operate the Multitone Bleep System (messaging and changing of devices) Operate the Critico/PageOne pager system. Deal with all digital alarms (medical gases, lifts etc) in a calm and efficient manner, following the necessary standard operating procedures. Deal with emergency calls (cardiac arrests, fire, traumas) in a calm and efficient manner, following the necessary standard operating procedures. Compile and update where necessary, the daily on call rota. Communicate to a high level and pass on information accurately to the Team Leaders and Manager, and handover any essential info to colleagues. Communicate with all services users. Ability to work on own, making your own decisions and deal with any situations that may occur. Ensure all departmental procedures are followed and ensure an accurate record of any task completed is kept. Work as part of a team. Good communicational skills are key. Experience in Excel, Word, email and possess good organisational and keyboard skills would be advantageous. Annual Leave Entitlements: Under the current agenda for change system - First five years = 27 days bank holidays (pro rata), Years 5-10 = 29 days bank holidays (pro rata), Years 10 = 33 days bank holidays (pro rata). About us A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation. In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year. There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today. Statement on the Use of AI We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective. Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application. We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success. Job description Job responsibilities IMPORTANT: This post operates on a variable shift pattern, with working hours adjusted to meet the needs of the service. As shift requirements may change from week to week, duty rosters will be issued approximately one month in advance. Where no changes are required, the default shift pattern (as detailed in the attached document) will apply. Due to the nature of this role, there is no permanent option for remote or home working. All duties must be carried out on site during core working hours. Please refer to the job description attached. If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us. Job description Job responsibilities IMPORTANT: This post operates on a variable shift pattern, with working hours adjusted to meet the needs of the service. As shift requirements may change from week to week, duty rosters will be issued approximately one month in advance. Where no changes are required, the default shift pattern (as detailed in the attached document) will apply. Due to the nature of this role, there is no permanent option for remote or home working. All duties must be carried out on site during core working hours. Please refer to the job description attached. If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us. Person Specification Qualifications Essential IT courses: Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer Desirable NVQ 1 & 2 Experience Essential Knowledge of a general healthcare environment Desirable Knowledge of a switchboard system Skills / Knowledge / Abilities Essential Good verbal communication Good keyboard skills Confident Motivated Organised Ability to work under pressure and react positively to distressed or rude customers Clear, concise speech Person Specification Qualifications Essential IT courses: Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer Desirable NVQ 1 & 2 Experience Essential Knowledge of a general healthcare environment Desirable Knowledge of a switchboard system Skills / Knowledge / Abilities Essential Good verbal communication Good keyboard skills Confident Motivated Organised Ability to work under pressure and react positively to distressed or rude customers Clear, concise speech 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. 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.. 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. 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.. Employer details Employer name East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust Address Conquest The Ridge St. Leonards-on-Sea TN37 7RD United Kingdom Employer's website