Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Switchboard Telephonist

The closing date is 26 June 2025

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for a Telephonist to operate our Trust's main 24/7 central Switchboard.

The post holder will work as part of a team on the switchboard performing the operations in an efficient and courteous manner with particular emphasis on customer care.

Act as a first point of contact to Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Providing general non-clinical advice, information guidance or ancillary services directly to patients, clients, relatives or carers, out of hours support for doctors and support services.

We are looking for a self-motivated individual to join our busy Support Services Team. You should be enthusiastic, have a friendly disposition, possess good communication skills and be able to adopt a flexible approach to the varied tasks assigned to you.

To meet the needs of a 24/7 public facing service the post holder will be required to work shifts, including working a combination of daytime and evening hours on weekdays, weekends and Bank Holidays.

Main duties of the job

To work as a team member with flexible approach. The operator is responsible for the efficient performance of the switchboard duties. Aiding for patients, visitors and staff.

We are looking for an individual who can work well on their own and who can offer an excellent service for all users of the switchboard service

Experience is desirable but not essential, as training will be given. The successful candidate will need to have an excellent telephone manner and be able to deal with a variety of other tasks, including alarm calls, in a calm and professional manner.

No experience of working within the NHS or a mental health environment is required, but experience of working with the general public is essential.

About us

We value our workforce and will ensure that the successful candidate will have the training and support needed to achieve the highest standards possible.

If you feel that you can make a positive contribution to our team and work to our exacting standards we welcome your application.

Were a large NHS Mental Health Trust in South East England. We're looking for people to help us provide high quality services for the patients, carers and local communities we serve.

We want patients and staff to recommend our organisation as a place where they would be happy for their friends and family to be treated. You can help us do this by bringing your skills, experience and commitment to Sussex Partnership

Date posted

16 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,169 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

354-EF-20304

Job locations

Amberstone Hospital - Hybrid

Carters Corner

Hailsham

BN27 4HU

Job description

Job responsibilities

Summary of job description:

Operate the Trusts telephone network switchboard in a friendly, courteous, helpful and efficient manner.
Dealing with calls of a sensitive or difficult nature with calmness, discretion and compassion ensuring strict confidentiality at all times.
Ensure that appropriate written records are duly kept up to date, in accordance with local requirements.
To use the computer to enable locating staff on the intranet telephone directory and to assist with ensuring the directory is up to date.

Further detail can be found on the job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Summary of job description:

Operate the Trusts telephone network switchboard in a friendly, courteous, helpful and efficient manner.
Dealing with calls of a sensitive or difficult nature with calmness, discretion and compassion ensuring strict confidentiality at all times.
Ensure that appropriate written records are duly kept up to date, in accordance with local requirements.
To use the computer to enable locating staff on the intranet telephone directory and to assist with ensuring the directory is up to date.

Further detail can be found on the job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Good Secondary Level Education

Knowledge/Experience

Desirable

Switchboard Experience

Skills

Essential

Excellent Communication Skills
Good team worker
Ability to deal with difficult situations

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Good Secondary Level Education

Knowledge/Experience

Desirable

Switchboard Experience

Skills

Essential

Excellent Communication Skills
Good team worker
Ability to deal with difficult situations

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 UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information