NHS England logo

PA to DCNO Professional & System Leadership


Location
Salary
£32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata (exclusive of London Weighting)
Profession
Administrative and IT
Grade
Band 5
Deadline
08 Sep 2026
Contract Type
Fixed term: 7 months (until 31st March 2027. Secondment only for current NHS employees)
Posted Date
25 Aug 2026
Medical Protection — the side of locally employed doctors from £83

Job overview

As PA to the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer – Professional & System Leadership (DCNO PSL) the post holder will provide comprehensive administrative and business support, ensuring the DCNO's responsibilities are effectively managed. This includes managing a complex diary, correspondence, communication, coordination and delegation ensuring the DCNO receives a consistent and high-level of support.

The post holder will work closely with the Senior Advisor to the DCNO and will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the DCNO's office, enabling the DCNO to focus on their extensive core responsibilities.

As PA you will need to be confident to self-initiate tasks, be a clear communicator and comfortable operating efficiently and effectively in a high-pressure environment.

Please be aware that should you be successful in this position, you will be hired to the job title of Personal Assistant and this job title is advertised to attract the right skills needed for the role.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an experienced personal assistant who is a strong team player, highly organised, and who has the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide range of people.

Your duties will include but not limited to;

  • Complex diary and mailbox management
  • Meeting coordination
  • Travel arrangements
  • Monitoring and recording of annual leave/absences
  • Entering expense claims for DCNO
  • Respond to ad-hoc, non-routine requests by the DCNO and their direct reports effectively, professionally and in good time.

You will need strong IT skills to be successful in this role.

Meetings/events are held across various sites therefore some flexibility is required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key responsibilities as PA to DCNO;

  • Diary Management: Managing a complex diary, balancing competing priorities, and coordinating travel arrangements.
  • Meeting Coordination: Preparing agendas, taking minutes, and following up on action items.
  • Correspondence: Handling internal and external communications, including emails and written correspondence.
  • Information Dissemination: Ensuring accurate and timely dissemination of information to relevant parties.
  • Administrative Support: Providing general administrative support, such as filing, data entry, and photocopying.
  • Team Support: Supporting other administrative staff and providing assistance when needed.
  • Confidentiality: Maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
  • Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Effectively communicating with a wide range of individuals, both internally and externally.
  • Organisation and Time Management: Managing workload effectively, prioritising tasks, and meeting deadlines.

Secondments

Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.

Person specification

Other

Essential

  • An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
  • Ability to undertake relevant training
  • Team Player

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills both written and verbally
  • Excellent organisational skills
  • High level of confidentiality
  • Ability to proritise workload
  • IT Skills & Minutes taking skills
  • Ability to work under pressure in a busy working environment

Desirable

  • Broad knowledge of NHS and linked agencies
  • Willingness to learn other software packages

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience of working in a similar role
  • Effective time management through organisation and diary management
  • Experience of Microsoft Office Software
  • Working to deadlines

Desirable

  • Previous NHS experience

Qualifications/Knowledge

Essential

  • GCSE English and Maths or equivalent qualification
  • Knowledge of and ability to demonstrate a full range of secretarial procedures, software programmes
  • RSA 3/NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration

Desirable

  • Advanced qualification for MS Office Package
  • ECDL
  • Proficient minute taking

WhatsApp job alerts

Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Band 5 Administrative and IT roles in London

Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.

Sign up for WhatsApp alerts

Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for PA to DCNO Professional & System Leadership with NHS England in Wellington House. It is listed as a Band 5 Administrative and IT role. The advertised salary is £32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata (exclusive of London Weighting). The contract type is Fixed term: 7 months (until 31st March 2027. Secondment only for current NHS employees). The application deadline is 08 Sep 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 (25 Aug 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.

For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.