The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Booking Officer - Outpatient appointment dept.

The closing date is 19 February 2026

Job summary

Job summary To provide a high level of Customer Service for patients requiring an Outpatient Appointment at The Princess Alexandra Hospital To provide a Patients Appointment Service that achieves all Key Performance Indicators to ensure provision of a high standard of Customer Care. To ensure that patients telephone calls are answered efficiently and effectively. To have confidence in communicating politely and efficiently with patients, relatives and other Trust Staff via the telephone. To maintain patient confidentiality at all times when communicating with patients via the telephone and to be aware of data protection To provide a reminder service for outpatient appointments contributing to the reduction of DNAs

Main duties of the job

Scope and range Work within a team No staff to line manage in this position May involve some Saturday working as the role progresses

About us

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Details

Date posted

05 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

000391

Job locations

Kao Park

Harlow

Essex

CM17 9NA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities

  • Ensure the accurate and confidential use of CERNER or any other electronic booking system to register patients new to the Trust ensuring that patient details are correct.
  • To answer the phone and deal with appointment requests for designated speciality in a timely manner
  • To follow Trust guidelines and policies to book patients’ appointments, working to achieve compliance with the 18 Week RTT Pathway and 2 Week Wait
  • To maintain confidentiality and to be aware of data protection when entering patient details and episodes onto Cerner or any other electronic booking system.
  • To actively work on ASI and AFB lists for the services and booking OPAS within the 18 weeks RTT and 2WW standards
  • Escalate issues with booking, with clinics or software to team leads promptly
  • To book appointments from message pools promptly and in line with target app date and escalate if not able
  • To proactively monitor speciality clinics and utilise capacity by supporting with  managing patients from the review list work flow
  • To develop skills to be able to work on more than one electronic booking system, and cross cover specialities
  • To ensure that confidentiality is maintained when speaking to patients on the telephone.
  • To be able to work as part of a team and independently, having confidence in decision making and being self sufficient
  • Communicate with patients and all members of the multidisciplinary team in a clear and concise confident manner  
  • To have difficult conversations with patients regarding the short notice clinic appointment cancellations, remaining professional and calm and escalate any challenges to team leads or operational manager
  • To attempt to prevent PALS or complaints by escalating any patient concerns to the service teams
  • To be able to work across numerous areas within OAD during a day, including phones, Message pool appointment requests, clinic cancellations and at times other urgent tasks that may arise and be confident in prioritisation
  • To be diligent and organised in a fast paced environment
  • To work collaboratively and take a bespoke approach to service support requirements where possible, to support the services in
  • To answer the phone proactively and deal with appointment requests for designated speciality in a timely manner within the KPI of 5 minutes wait for call to be answered
  • Be able to work as a 'Call centre' within a team of call centre bookers will be a large focus of this particular role within OAD and differs slightly from our current workforce, as we expand our team to focus on our patient contact. This will involve covering the phone lines daily with regular breaks. Requires a high level of concentration, diligence and professional and courteous phone manner. 

This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and the manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities

  • Ensure the accurate and confidential use of CERNER or any other electronic booking system to register patients new to the Trust ensuring that patient details are correct.
  • To answer the phone and deal with appointment requests for designated speciality in a timely manner
  • To follow Trust guidelines and policies to book patients’ appointments, working to achieve compliance with the 18 Week RTT Pathway and 2 Week Wait
  • To maintain confidentiality and to be aware of data protection when entering patient details and episodes onto Cerner or any other electronic booking system.
  • To actively work on ASI and AFB lists for the services and booking OPAS within the 18 weeks RTT and 2WW standards
  • Escalate issues with booking, with clinics or software to team leads promptly
  • To book appointments from message pools promptly and in line with target app date and escalate if not able
  • To proactively monitor speciality clinics and utilise capacity by supporting with  managing patients from the review list work flow
  • To develop skills to be able to work on more than one electronic booking system, and cross cover specialities
  • To ensure that confidentiality is maintained when speaking to patients on the telephone.
  • To be able to work as part of a team and independently, having confidence in decision making and being self sufficient
  • Communicate with patients and all members of the multidisciplinary team in a clear and concise confident manner  
  • To have difficult conversations with patients regarding the short notice clinic appointment cancellations, remaining professional and calm and escalate any challenges to team leads or operational manager
  • To attempt to prevent PALS or complaints by escalating any patient concerns to the service teams
  • To be able to work across numerous areas within OAD during a day, including phones, Message pool appointment requests, clinic cancellations and at times other urgent tasks that may arise and be confident in prioritisation
  • To be diligent and organised in a fast paced environment
  • To work collaboratively and take a bespoke approach to service support requirements where possible, to support the services in
  • To answer the phone proactively and deal with appointment requests for designated speciality in a timely manner within the KPI of 5 minutes wait for call to be answered
  • Be able to work as a 'Call centre' within a team of call centre bookers will be a large focus of this particular role within OAD and differs slightly from our current workforce, as we expand our team to focus on our patient contact. This will involve covering the phone lines daily with regular breaks. Requires a high level of concentration, diligence and professional and courteous phone manner. 

This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and the manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to A Level or equivalent including maths and English

Desirable

  • Previous NHS clerical experience dealing with the public
  • Previous experience & knowledge of 18 weeks RTT
  • Experience of a specific electronic booking system

Experience

Essential

  • Previous clerical experience including dealing with a large number of phone calls, using lots of different systems, typing and numeracy experience
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to A Level or equivalent including maths and English

Desirable

  • Previous NHS clerical experience dealing with the public
  • Previous experience & knowledge of 18 weeks RTT
  • Experience of a specific electronic booking system

Experience

Essential

  • Previous clerical experience including dealing with a large number of phone calls, using lots of different systems, typing and numeracy experience

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.

Employer details

Employer name

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Address

Kao Park

Harlow

Essex

CM17 9NA


Employer's website

https://www.pah.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Address

Kao Park

Harlow

Essex

CM17 9NA


Employer's website

https://www.pah.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Outpatients supervisor

Tanya Taylor

tanya.taylor4@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

05 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

000391

Job locations

Kao Park

Harlow

Essex

CM17 9NA


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