# Switchboard Operator x 2 > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/switchboard-operator-x-2/0ab353c7-1014-487d-bff5-b688a5be6980 - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/switchboard-operator-x-2/0ab353c7-1014-487d-bff5-b688a5be6980.md ## Summary - **Status:** Archived / closed - **Employer:** East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust - **Location:** Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital - **Workplace type:** onsite - **Profession:** Switchboard operator - **Grade:** Band 3 - **Salary:** £25,760 - £27,476 PA - **Contract type:** Permanent - **Employment type:** Part time - 20 hours per week (The average working hours will be 20 hours per week over 3 days. Shifts will be issued at least six weeks in advance, with specific working patterns and availability discussed at interview.) - **Closing date:** 2026-10-23T09:00:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-10-09T11:21:57.115Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/Lancashire/Kendal/East_Lancashire_Hospitals_NHS_Trust/Switchboard_Operator/Switchboard_Operator-v8304735 - **Employer website:** https://www.elht.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### Job overview 2 x Part-Time Switchboard Operators Westmorland General Hospital We are looking to recruit two part-time Switchboard Operators to join our friendly team providing switchboard services for Westmorland General Hospital, Furness General Hospital, and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary. The Switchboard, is based at Westmorland General Hospital and operates as a 24-hour service, 7 days a week, providing a vital communications and emergency response function across the Trust. The average working hours are 20 hours per week over three days, with shifts primarily scheduled between 8:00am and 9:30pm. Rotas will be issued six weeks in advance, and individual working patterns and availability will be discussed at interview. As a Switchboard Operator, you will manage incoming telephone calls, emergency communications and critical alarm systems, playing a key role in maintaining a safe, effective and responsive service for patients, visitors and staff. ### Main duties of the job - Act as the first point of contact for internal and external enquiries, providing a professional, calm and courteous service. - Manage incoming telephone calls, emergency communications, and critical alarm activations, including fire, medical gas, blood fridge, lift and boiler alarms. - Operate the hospital bleep system and coordinate emergency responses, including cardiac arrests, fire alarms and major incidents across Trust sites. - Liaise with clinical teams, medical staff, managers on call, Estates, IT and external emergency services to support effective service delivery and emergency response. - Maintain accurate on-call rotas, contact records and other service information in line with Trust policies and procedures. - Coordinate transport services, including taxis, Blood Bikers and Medical Support, ensuring cost-effective solutions are used where appropriate. - Support operational services by arranging short-notice staff cover, monitoring security systems and coordinating porter allocators services as required. - Undertake mandatory and role-specific training and contribute to the delivery of a safe, responsive and efficient 24-hour Switchboard service. This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the role. The description will be reviewed periodically and amended as necessary to meet the needs of the service. ### Detailed job description and main responsibilities The Switchboard Operator provides a professional 24-hour communication service for the Trust, acting as the first point of contact for patients, visitors, staff and external organisations. The post holder is responsible for handling high volumes of incoming and outgoing calls, coordinating emergency communications, monitoring critical alarms and ensuring information is communicated accurately and efficiently. The role supports patient safety, patient flow and operational continuity through the timely handling of emergency calls, major incidents and other urgent communications. Responsibilities include coordinating porter allocations to ensure inpatients attend essential appointments, investigations and treatments in a timely manner. The post holder is required to work independently, prioritise competing demands and respond appropriately in a pressurised environment while maintaining a high standard of customer service. ### Applicant requirements The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions. ## Person Specification ### Experience **Essential** - Experience of providing customer service to members of the public. - Proven ability to work effectively within a team. **Desirable** - Previous experience in a similar role. ### Personal Qualities **Essential** - Maintains confidentiality and remains calm and resilient when working under pressure. - Professional, approachable and courteous, with a commitment to delivering a high standard of customer service. - Reliable, dependable and flexible, with a positive attitude to work and changing service demands. ### Education and Qualifications **Essential** - 5 GCSEs (or equivalent qualifications) including English and Mathematics at Grade 4/C or above. - ECDL, advanced keyboard skills, or equivalent experience, with the ability to use Microsoft Office, email, spreadsheets, internet systems, and adapt to new software applications. - Customer Care or Customer Service qualification (or equivalent). **Desirable** - Ability to operate a computerised Switchboard system. ### Skills, Ability and Knowledge **Essential** - Ability to work independently and as part of a team, using initiative and making appropriate decisions. - Excellent communication and listening skills, with the ability to empathise in stressful situations. - Multi-tasking daily. - Effective influencing, negotiation and problem-solving skills. - Experience of dealing with concerns, complaints and challenging situations in a professional manner. **Desirable** - Ability to travel to any of the Trust sites. - Prioritises workload effectively and assimilates information accurately. - Ability to remain calm and respond effectively in emergency situations. ## Documents - [privacy notice (pdf, 305.1kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=1761) - [benefits of working at elht (pdf, 1.2mb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=2405) - [additional candidate information 2024 (pdf, 408.6kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=2494) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references.