Job overview
Our Switchboard team are looking to recruit 1 x part-time telephonist to work between the hours of 6am - 2pm, with occasional nights if required. They will join our busy, friendly team based at Maidstone Hospital.
The successful applicants would preferably have previous switchboard experience, whilst working in a busy hospital. You will also need a good education to GCSE standard with keyboard skills and an understanding of IT systems, however full training will be given.
Please note this role is currently only being advertised to staff members who are currently working within the Kent and Medway ICS.
Main duties of the job
Being one of the frontline services for the Trust, the switchboard’s aim is to deliver a consistently high standard of customer care whilst working in a busy environment. We are looking for real team players with flexibility and self-motivation, if you think you have the relevant skills and experience and would like to join us please tell us in your statement what you could bring to the team.
Switchboard is operational 365 days per year, 24/7, for this role you will be rostered to work between the hours of 06.00- 22.00 and this will include working within an established rota, with some weekends and bank holidays.
You will be expected to cover annual leave and sick leave when required and Bank Holidays where scheduled.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. GCSE Standard of Education or equivalent
Desirable criteria
2. NVQ level 2 in customer service or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
3. Work independently without supervision
4. Working as part of a close team
Desirable criteria
5. Previous switchboard experience in a hospital environment
Skills
Essential criteria
6. Customer Care focused
7. IT Skills, eg; Basic computer knowledge
8. Good organisational skills
Desirable criteria
9. Previous experience of using a computer-based console
Application numbers
This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.