East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Medical Secretary - Trauma and Orthopaedic Department

The closing date is 09 March 2026

Job summary

The primary purpose of this post is to ensure the efficient delivery of patient-focused care within key performance targets, while providing high-quality administrative, communication, and organisational support to a designated number of trauma and orthopaedic consultants and their associated clinical teams. This role is essential in supporting timely patient communication, clinic management, and the smooth operation of the trauma and orthopaedic directorate.

Main duties of the job

Are you looking for a rewarding and dynamic role within the trauma and orthopaedic department? We are seeking a skilled medical secretary/PA to provide dedicated support to our Consultants and contribute to the smooth running of our busy department.

In this role, you will need to work accurately and methodically, meet deadlines and pay close attention to detail. You should be able to work effectively as part of a team, while also using your own initiative. Strong interpersonal skills are essential - you will be helping and reassuring patients and liaising with a wide range of staff.

We are looking for someone who is flexible, proactive and able to adapt to the varying demands and fast-paced environment of the department. Resilience, planning and excellent organisational skills are key to success in this role.

The position involves a variety of administrative duties and requires competence in document preparation, keyboard skills and audio typing. Knowledge of medical terminology and previous medical secretarial experience is desirable but not essential - we are willing to provide training for the right candidate.

About us

When you walk through the door, one of the first things you'll notice is that the organisation is full of talented people. Not just in the fields of medicine, nursing or diagnostics but in every part of the organisation. Professional and committed people who are all working together in an open and supportive culture.

We don't just look at you for who you are now; we look at you for who you could be in the future. We take training seriously, and encourage you to do the same. We want staff to develop their capabilities to the full with a range of learning and development opportunities.

To enable the Trust and its employees to exceed expectations and to achieve corporate and service aims and objectives, we need to recruit, develop and retain skilled and motivated people through effective people management and development, leading to a high performance culture.

Details

Date posted

23 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

435-S027-26

Job locations

Across East Lancashire Sites

Haslingden Road

Across East Lancashire Sites

BB2 3HH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide dedicated administrative support to trauma and orthopaedic consultants, including preparing and typing clinic letters, correspondence and reports.

Manage patient records, both electronic and paper-based, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with data protection and Trust policies.

Schedule and co-ordinate investigations, procedures and appointments in line with clinical requirements and performance targets.

Respond to patient and GP inquiries promptly, providing accurate information and escalating clinical matters as appropriate.

Prioritise and manage workload independently, demonstrating effective organisational and time management skills.

Maintain accurate databases and records to support clinical audit, reporting and governance requirements.

Provide support for urgent requests and ad-hoc tasks to assist consultants and clinical teams in delivering patient care.

Undertake RTT validation to support accurate reporting and compliance with national targets.

Provide appropriate cover for colleagues during periods of absence to ensure effective cross-cover is maintained within the directorate.

Skills and Competencies:

Excellent word processing, keyboard and audio-typing skills

Strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently without direct supervision

Knowledge of medical terminology and NHS administrative procedures

Understanding of information governance, confidentiality and data protection principles

Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide dedicated administrative support to trauma and orthopaedic consultants, including preparing and typing clinic letters, correspondence and reports.

Manage patient records, both electronic and paper-based, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with data protection and Trust policies.

Schedule and co-ordinate investigations, procedures and appointments in line with clinical requirements and performance targets.

Respond to patient and GP inquiries promptly, providing accurate information and escalating clinical matters as appropriate.

Prioritise and manage workload independently, demonstrating effective organisational and time management skills.

Maintain accurate databases and records to support clinical audit, reporting and governance requirements.

Provide support for urgent requests and ad-hoc tasks to assist consultants and clinical teams in delivering patient care.

Undertake RTT validation to support accurate reporting and compliance with national targets.

Provide appropriate cover for colleagues during periods of absence to ensure effective cross-cover is maintained within the directorate.

Skills and Competencies:

Excellent word processing, keyboard and audio-typing skills

Strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently without direct supervision

Knowledge of medical terminology and NHS administrative procedures

Understanding of information governance, confidentiality and data protection principles

Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • 5 GCSE at Level 4 and above or equivalent including GCSE English
  • RSA/OCR Stage III Typewriting or o RSA/OCR Word Processing Stage III
  • RSA/OCR Audio typewriting Stage III or Proven ability of an equivalent level of skill

Desirable

  • oAMSPAR qualification
  • oMedical terminology certificate or knowledge of medical terminology
  • oECDL

Job Experience

Essential

  • oRelevant secretarial experience in an acute hospital environment
  • oExperience of information technology systems (e.g. Word, Excel, Email, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, ICE, Cerner etc

Desirable

  • oAnalytical skills and ability to problem solve
  • oThorough understanding of NHS performance targets
  • oAbility to work as part of a team and be supportive of other team members giving direction when necessary.

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to understand, absorb and comply with detailed procedures
  • Experience of developing and maintaining good working relationships at all levels
  • Understanding and commitment to the need for confidentiality
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent organisational, time management skills with the ability to prioritise work and take initiative on matters of importance

Desirable

  • oAbility to maintain composure in challenging situations
Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • 5 GCSE at Level 4 and above or equivalent including GCSE English
  • RSA/OCR Stage III Typewriting or o RSA/OCR Word Processing Stage III
  • RSA/OCR Audio typewriting Stage III or Proven ability of an equivalent level of skill

Desirable

  • oAMSPAR qualification
  • oMedical terminology certificate or knowledge of medical terminology
  • oECDL

Job Experience

Essential

  • oRelevant secretarial experience in an acute hospital environment
  • oExperience of information technology systems (e.g. Word, Excel, Email, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, ICE, Cerner etc

Desirable

  • oAnalytical skills and ability to problem solve
  • oThorough understanding of NHS performance targets
  • oAbility to work as part of a team and be supportive of other team members giving direction when necessary.

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to understand, absorb and comply with detailed procedures
  • Experience of developing and maintaining good working relationships at all levels
  • Understanding and commitment to the need for confidentiality
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent organisational, time management skills with the ability to prioritise work and take initiative on matters of importance

Desirable

  • oAbility to maintain composure in challenging 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

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).

Employer details

Employer name

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Across East Lancashire Sites

Haslingden Road

Across East Lancashire Sites

BB2 3HH


Employer's website

http://jobs.elht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Across East Lancashire Sites

Haslingden Road

Across East Lancashire Sites

BB2 3HH


Employer's website

http://jobs.elht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Medical Administration Manager

Helen Hinchliffe

helen.hinchliffe@elht.nhs.uk

01254733381

Details

Date posted

23 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

435-S027-26

Job locations

Across East Lancashire Sites

Haslingden Road

Across East Lancashire Sites

BB2 3HH


Supporting documents

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