Temporary Part-time Switchboard Operator

Job overview

9 month Part-time Switchboard Operator, Westmorland General Hospital

We are looking to recruit two part-time members of staff to join a small and friendly team providing switchboard services for Westmorland General Hospital, Furness General Hospital and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary. The switchboard, based at Westmorland General Hospital is a 24hour service provided over 7 days a week.

The total weekly hours of cover required are up to 37.5hrs. There are a variety of shift hours either 8am to 3.30pm, 3.30pm to 9.30pm or some weekends 8.45am to 6pm.  There will also be additional hours available to assist with cover for leave.

There may be a possibility of an extension to the contract period dependant on circumstances at the time.

Allowances are paid for night and weekend working.

Main duties of the job

To operate the hospital ARC computerised switchboard and bleep systems, acting as the first point of contact for all enquiries including internal and external callers.

Follow procedures for on-call arrangements for UHMBT and other Morecambe Bay NHS organisations including, One LSC, Community, Psychiatry and Commissioning Groups

When emergencies occur, following specific procedures, assisting in coordinating responses.

Monitor alarm systems for fridges, boilers, gases and fire, taking the  appropriate action in line with procedures and policies.

Provide a Porter Allocation service for the 3 main sites, communicating with all Departments, prioritising jobs to minimise disruption to patient flow and, to support the efficient use of Trust resources,

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

General

The role requires communication with internal and external contacts to support effective responses including, to emergencies, contacting Medical Consultants directly or escalating issues by phone or bleep and, providing information to Senior Managers on call.

Act as a critical point of contact for all parties when major incidents or other emergencies occur, following specific procedures, assisting in coordinating responses to emergency crash calls (adult cardiac, adult trauma, paediatric arrest, paediatric trauma, obstetrics and neo-natal) major incidents, security or bomb alerts, covering all hospital sites

Demonstrate sensitivity, calmness, compassion and empathy whilst being polite and efficient with callers who may be patients, visitors or staff who may be anxious or angry, and may involve information, which is confidential, personal and sensitive.

Arrange for and provide cover for sickness out of hours or in the absence of the Assistant Facilities (Switchboard) Manager. This entails contacting colleagues from a central staff list for availability at short notice.

Receive and make bookings for ad hoc transport (taxis, Blood Bikers, ad hoc transport services) selecting the most cost-effective service to use to ensure transport is available in a timely fashion.

Utilise the Trust Incident reporting system to report any incident, near misses or risks and encourage colleagues to do the same

Outside office hours

Issue accommodation keys to contracted and locum staff, ensuring all documentation is signed prior to the handover of keys to the appropriate person to avoid security risks to the hospital premises and other residents.

Monitor the security cameras in Switchboard and if felt necessary or requested by others (i.e. Urgent Treatment Centre), contacting the Police.

Provide an access/ egress service, carrying out identity checks, for the WGH main hospital site overnight through either the main front hospital door or via the rear staff entrance, supporting the safety and security of the hospital and all persons present