Location
Bristol, England
Salary
£25,760 - £27,476 pa (unsociable hours enhancements)
Profession
Administrative and IT
Grade
Band 3
Deadline
03 Jul 2026
Contract Type
Permanent: (Enhancements Out of Hours)
Posted Date
19 Jun 2026
Medical Protection — indemnity for locally employed doctors from £79

Job overview

As the first point of contact for the telecommunication service of the Bristol Hospitals of the Trust, operators are responsible for providing an efficient switchboard/information service 24/7 to all staff and customers of the Trust.

Carry out all aspects of the responsibilities of an operator in a pleasant, courteous and professional manner at all times. Operators will be required to use their own initiative when dealing with situations outside the parameters of procedures.

Main duties of the job

  • Responsible for being the first point of contact for 9 of the trusts Hospitals, for receiving and distributing calls from the public, GP’s, internal callers, other Hospitals and agencies etc. Calls can be connected to either extension, exchange lines or to mobile staff via bleeps, mobile phones & Radio pagers.
  • To use initiative and sensitivity when dealing with unpredictable situations including enquiries from anxious patients, patients with mental health problems, language and /or disability barriers, the media, complaints etc. Ensuring an appropriate and empathetic response to all.
  • To operate the switchboard consoles and Bleep System to provide an efficient telephone service across the Trust.

To respond in accordance with the designated written procedures when dealing with emergency and non- emergency requests

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be responsible for taking calls from patients, relatives, Doctors, other colleagues, Stake Holders, Chief Executives of this and other Trusts, Callers from NHS England and Clinical Commissioning Groups, Contractors and other Emergency and non emergency services.

You will be dealing with medical emergencies, Fire and intruder alarms and will need to co-ordinate these ensuring the right people are informed and directed tot he emergency.

We deal with approx. 400 rotas on a daily basis and co-ordinate these for hospital staff.

Person specification

Apititudes

Essential

  • Able to retain information and pass on accurately
  • Ability to deal with Emergency/Life or Death situations and prioritise responses accordingly
  • Work Autonomously
  • Good time keeping and reliability

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Excellent communications skills including confident and pleasant telephone manner
  • To have used a digital switchboard and Multitone bleeps system
  • Good spelling skills
  • prepared to train/mentor others

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • previous switchboard experience or customer focused role
  • Experience of working well within a Team
  • Experience of work well under pressure and managing a demanding workload

Desirable

  • Customer care
  • NHS experience
  • Shift work

Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE Standard or Equivalent in Maths and English
  • Qualification in IT or proven use of IT packages
  • Knowledge of Data Protection and Patient Confidentiality issues.

Desirable

  • Customer Service NVQ or equivalent

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Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Switchboard Shift Operator with University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust in Bristol, South West, England. It is listed as a Band 3 Administrative and IT role. The advertised salary is £25,760 - £27,476 pa (unsociable hours enhancements). The contract type is Permanent: (Enhancements Out of Hours). The application deadline is 03 Jul 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 (19 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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