Clinical Support Officer
The closing date is 28 November 2025
We are seeking a dedicated clinical support officer to join our busy community therapy teams. In this essential role, you will provide vital administrative support that helps clinicians focus on delivering exceptional patient care. You will be responsible for day‑to‑day supervision of a team of administrators within your team. If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment, have excellent communication skills and enjoy supporting dynamic teams, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Interviews will be held via TEAMS on 9th December.
Main duties of the job
Co‑ordinating an admin team to support community therapy services within the community health services care group. The postholder will demonstrate excellent communication and organisational skills. You and your team will be responsible for processing referrals in and out of the service and providing comprehensive admin support to a wide range of clinical teams within the hospital and wider community teams. You will work closely with other senior administrators to ensure cover is maintained across the therapy teams countywide.
About us
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester‑Le‑Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community‑based settings and caring in patients’ homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and BAME candidates as these groups are currently under‑represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre‑employment checks.
Job responsibilities
* Sort incoming mail and prepare outgoing mail for posting.
* Make appointments and give non‑clinical advice as directed, taking necessary action to handle calls quickly and efficiently.
* Support the efficient organisation of home visits, arranging appointments and ensuring clinical notes are ready to ensure the smooth and effective provision of patient services.
* Liaise regularly with secondary care staff, laboratories and GP surgeries to obtain patient test results and, where necessary, receive and maintain a database of pathology lab reports, ensuring they are correctly assigned to patients and chase up any outstanding reports not received.
* Maintain up‑to‑date filing and archive filing system, disposing of archived patient records according to Trust policy.
* Receive and handle information regarding referrals to the service and deal with them within Trust or departmental timescales.
* Transmit electronic mail, photocopy documents and circulate information within Trust or departmental timescales.
* Enter data onto necessary databases according to service requirements.
* Use database/spread‑sheets to collect and formulate data on a weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
* Order and maintain adequate levels of stationery and supplies, using CARDEA where possible.
* Maintain electronic diaries, coordinate meetings and book venues.
* Maintain and update patient caseload on a daily basis, ensuring visits, discharges and patient information is accurately recorded.
* Where necessary, support the monitoring of service targets/performance standards and alert the Manager to possible breaches.
* Provide on‑site supervision for a team of administrators, allocating work and ensuring all referrals are processed in a timely manner.
* Supervise work experience students and apprentices requiring experience of office work.
* The post holder may be required to undertake the role of Information Asset Administrator or Information Asset Owner to provide support for the control and administration of information assets within their area/dept (details available on the Health Informatics web page).
* The post holder may be required to undertake the role of Registration Authority Agent/Sponsor which includes supporting the NHS Care Records Service applications using smartcards and appropriate access files.
Person Specification
Experience
* Experience of an administrative role providing general provision of administrative duties in a challenging and constantly changing environment.
* Demonstrate experience of using Microsoft Word.
* Experience in setting up and maintaining office filing systems.
* Experience in planning and organising meetings and taking notes.
* Experience of providing administrative support to a team.
* Commit to delivering the actions in the Trust’s Behaviours Framework.
* Working together for patients.
* Respect and dignity.
* Commitment to quality of care.
* Compassion.
* Improving lives.
* Experience of working within an NHS environment.
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Committed to quality customer care/delivery of excellent customer service.
* Ability to communicate accurately verbally and in writing with a wide range of people.
* Effective interpersonal skills.
* Able to use own initiative to resolve routine queries, in line with departmental procedures.
* Able to work with minimal supervision following set procedures.
* Knowledge of computer packages, e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
* Ability to analyse and present data using Excel and Access packages.
* Ability to use email and maintain and update paper and electronic diaries.
* Knowledge of Data Protection and Caldicott Principles and understanding of the need to maintain strict confidentiality.
* Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
* Ability to prioritise workload. Able to work to deadlines.
* Flexible approach to work and adaptable to change.
* Ability to work as a member of a team.
* Knowledge of NHS practices/procedures.
* Clinical/service knowledge.
* Knowledge of system one.
* Knowledge of medical terminology.
* System one experience.
Special Requirements
* Ability to travel independently across the county to fulfil the requirements of the post.
* Present a professional image at all times.
Qualifications
* Good standard of general education – minimum of 3 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above, including English.
* NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration (or working towards) or equivalent knowledge/experience.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and it will be necessary for a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
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