Switchboard Operator

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for a flexible full time Switchboard Operator based at Conquest Hospital. You will be joining a small, friendly team working on a busy switchboard, delivering a vital 24‑hour, 365‑day service for East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

This role operates on a rostered, ever‑changing shift pattern (covering 24hrs a day), with a default working arrangement of office hours. You will receive a minimum of one month’s notice of your upcoming duty roster.

The Switchboard is the first point of contact for the Trust. You will be required to confidently operate a computer‑based switchboard system, answering calls in a professional manner and managing enquiries from patients, relatives, visitors, and GPs, as well as handling all calls, bleeps, and pagers.

You will also be responsible for responding calmly and efficiently to a wide range of emergency calls, including cardiac arrests, trauma alerts, fire calls, and alarm systems, within a fast‑paced communications environment.

Full training will be provided for the successful candidate.

Where applicable, this post may attract unsocial hours payments, if rostered, in line with the Agenda for Change terms. Enhanced rates apply for weekday night shifts (8pm–6am), weekends, and bank holidays.

Main duties of the job

• Work as a telephonist, dealing with all incoming calls to the Switchboard.
• Switchboard operates on a 24hr pattern.
• Operate the Multitone Bleep System (messaging and changing of devices)
• Operate the Critico/PageOne pager system.
• Deal with all digital alarms (medical gases, lifts etc) in a calm and efficient manner, following the necessary standard operating procedures.
• Deal with emergency calls (cardiac arrests, fire, traumas) in a calm and efficient manner, following the necessary standard operating procedures.
• Compile and update where necessary, the daily on call rota.
• Communicate to a high level and pass on information accurately to the Team Leaders and Manager, and handover any essential info to colleagues.
• Communicate with all services users.
• Ability to work on own, making your own decisions and deal with any situations that may occur.
• Ensure all departmental procedures are followed and ensure an accurate record of any task completed is kept.
• Work as part of a team.
• Good communicational skills are key.
• Experience in Excel, Word, email and possess good organisational and keyboard skills would be advantageous.

Annual Leave Entitlements: Under the current agenda for change system - First five years = 27 days + bank holidays (pro rata), Years 5-10 = 29 days + bank holidays (pro rata), Years 10+ = 33 days + bank holidays (pro rata).

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

IMPORTANT: This post operates on a variable shift pattern, with working hours adjusted to meet the needs of the service. As shift requirements may change from week to week, duty rosters will be issued approximately one month in advance. Where no changes are required, the default shift pattern (as detailed in the attached document) will apply.

Due to the nature of this role, there is no permanent option for remote or home working. All duties must be carried out on site during core working hours.

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.