Job summary
This advert is only open to applicants who are currently employed by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
This is a key role in assisting the Central Appointments Manager to effectively manage the Central Appointments Service and achieve high standards within the Department. You will have the freedom to be innovative, and you will have the opportunity to greatly influence the service provided to our patients.
The post involves managing staff in the Central Appointments Department at Memorial Hall, Darlington
You will liaise closely with consultant medical staff, Senior Managers, Secretarial and other key staff and ensure that their requests are met wherever possible.
It is essential that you are interested in ensuring patient satisfaction.
We are looking to interview w/c 29.06.2026 via Teams
Main duties of the job
You will be responsible for the line management of staff based in the Central Appointments Booking Team. You will ensure all departmental processes are adhered to and deadlines are met. You will carry out all staff recruitment, induction and on-going monitoring including annual appraisals, annual leave, sickness monitoring and wellbeing conversations. You will carry out departmental audits and ensure results are shared/acted upon.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
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.
We provide 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 providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Details
- Date posted: 18 June 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 4
- Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year Per Annum
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working
- Reference number: C9439-2627-935
- Job locations: Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
Supervision and day to day management of staff working in the Central Appointments Office (South).
Selection and recruitment of staff to the Central Appointments Office as necessary.
Training and induction of new members of staff employed in the Central Appointments Department.
Ensuring that staff inputting data to EPR have received adequate training and that the mechanisms are in place to check data quality.
Ensuring that the quality of data held on EPR is validated on a regular basis.
Maintenance of personal files including holiday rotas and recording and monitoring staff sickness.
Monitoring of Out Patient waiting list reports on a weekly basis to ensure that patients are being booked appropriately to the Trusts waiting time objective and identify any potential breaches to the Service Managers/Patient Booking Manager
Liaise closely with key staff including Consultant Medical Staff, Medical Secretaries, and Service Managers as necessary.
Update procedures to ensure outpatient waiting lists are managed effectively in accordance with latest guidance.
Ensuring all policies, procedures and standards for the Central Appointments Office are adhered to and updated on a regular basis.
Ensure Out Patient clinics are fully utilized and if unable to do so to report to Service Manager and Patient Booking Manager
Ensure all out patient appointments are made within agreed time scales and in accordance with Waiting List Policy.
Carry out audits to ensure all policies and procedures are adhered to.
Ensure outpatient waiting list validation is carried out on an on-going basis.
Ensure patients are managed in accordance with the Trusts Booking Policy.
Liaise closely with patients by telephone and ensure that all patients are dealt with courteously and promptly.
Ensure the Stationary Ordering is managed effectively.
Ensure all deadlines are met within the department.
Undertake any other duties, appropriate to the grade at the request of the Central Appointments Manager.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Supervisory/management experience
- Inpatient Waiting List Management
- Experience of Microsoft Office Applications
Desirable
- NHS Experience
- Knowledge of Patient Administration Systems
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Diploma standard or NVQ Level 4 in Business Administration or equivalent experience
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of 18 week/urgent suspected cancer referral to treatment.
- Knowledge of Overseas Visitor Charging Regulations and the legal requirements, providing advice and guidance within a health care setting.
- Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workload and attention to detail
- Good interpersonal and organisational skills
- Good influencing and motivating skills
- Excellent Negotiating skills
- Professional, approachable and friendly
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
- Willing to undertake any training required for the post
- Ability to travel independently across Trust sites
Desirable
- Self reliance
- Well presented
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Central Appointments Coordinator with County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust in Darlington, North East and Yorkshire, England. It is listed as a Band 4 Administrative and IT role. The advertised salary is £28,392 to £31,157 a year. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 25 Jun 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (18 Jun 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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