About the Organisation:
As Scotland's smallest health board, NHS Orkney is committed to delivering excellent care to our 22,000 residents. Whether you're new to the NHS or bringing experience from elsewhere, your skills will make a real difference.
Our modern healthcare facility, The Balfour, brings together inpatient care, emergency services, outpatient clinics, diagnostics, GP practices and the Scottish Ambulance Service. We're also investing in services across our outer isles, ensuring high-quality care reaches every corner of Orkney.
We are guided by our core values that shape everything we do – Open and honest, Respect and Kindness – from how we care for our patients to how we support each other as colleagues.
About Orkney:
With over 70 islands – 20 of them inhabited – Orkney offers a unique blend of natural beauty, close-knit community and an opportunity for adventure. From dramatic coastlines and rare wildlife to rich cultural traditions and active lifestyles, it's a place where compassion thrives and every day brings something new. Regularly named one of the UK's best places to live, Orkney offers a lifestyle that's both fulfilling and inspiring.
The Position:
A vacancy has arisen for a Bank Switchboard/Reception Operative to facilitate prompt communications in response to internal and external callers/visitors via The Balfour switchboard and in person.
As the Bank Switchboard/Reception Operative you will play a crucial role in NHS Orkney's response to requests for medical assistance, including major emergencies, occurring both within the hospital and elsewhere in the county. You will also monitor internal and external alarm systems and perform mailroom duties.
The Candidate:
You should have a courteous and professional telephone manner, with the ability to use sound judgement when handling calls and assessing situations, ensuring they are dealt with promptly and appropriately. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, along with the ability to work independently in a busy and high-pressured environment.
Proficiency in IT is essential, and holding an ECDL qualification or equivalent IT qualification would be advantageous and experience in operating a telephone system is desirable.
A SVQ Level 3 in Customer Services or other equivalent relevant qualification is required for this role.
Location, Working Pattern and Contract Duration:
This post will be based at The Balfour
The successful candidate will work: Relief
It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NHS Orkney.
Benefits and Salary:
Did you know NHS Scotland salaries are higher than those in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
The salary for this post is Band 3 £28,011 - £30,230 and if residing on Orkney, you'll also receive a Distant Islands Allowance of £1,654 pro rata per annum, adding extra value to your rewarding career with us.
NHS Orkney also offers an attractive pension scheme, wide range of work life balance policies, employee assistance programme and various discounts to both local and national retailers.
Further Information:
If you share our vision and are ready to be part of Team Orkney, we'd love to hear from you. Your rewarding career starts here
We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during your application. If there are additional requirements you would like to request, please contact
For further guidance on the recruitment process and tips for creating a strong application, please refer to our Candidate Application Pack.
For more information on this posts please contact Chloe Crawford, Interim Facilities Support Officer, Tel: Ext 6038 or email
This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check.
Interview Date: Monday 27th of October 2025
This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa or a Heath and Care Worker visa. NHS Orkney (NHSO) is unable to provide candidates or employees with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).