Job Description

Inpatient Mental Health Services are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for an individual to join our team as Personal Assistant (PA) to the Service Manager and Secretary to wider Service Management Team.
We are seeking an experienced, reliable and highly motivated PA/Secretary to work within the busy management area of our Inpatient & Urgent Care Services. You will need to have proven organisational skills and be committed to provide high-quality PA and Secretarial support.
This is an exciting opportunity to work within a busy area of the NHS and is an important role working as part of a Management team with a friendly atmosphere and strong work ethic.
Main duties of the job
As PA to the Service Manager, you will be required to provide a full and comprehensive service, the complexities of which require a high degree of organisational skills, particularly in diary and time management. Effective diary management will require the post holder to organise meetings as required which will involve liaison with a wide number of both internal and external stakeholders. Mailbox management is also a key part of the role.
As Secretary to the Service Management Team, you will be required to provide support in organising meetings (including HR hearings and meetings of a confidential nature taking notes/actions as requested) as well as providing support for administration services including recruitment and placing orders.
You will need to have the ability to work under pressure and although a key part of the team, on your own initiative.
About us
EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment
Join our Staff bank
What is Staff Bank?
Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.
If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.
Details
Date posted
12 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 4
Salary
27,485 to 30,162 a year Per Annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
364-A-9358
Job locations
Linden Centre
Pudding Wood Lane
Chelmsford
CM1 7LF
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will:

• Provide a full PA provision for the Service Manager.
• Provide a full and confidential secretarial and administrative service to the Service Management Team.
• Provide a first point of contact for internal and external queries, answering them where possible and otherwise signposting them to the appropriate department.
• Attend and minute meetings as required and be responsible for the typing and presentation of reports and minutes in accordance with the required format.
• Manage the communication, to and from, the Service Manager and Service Management Team and across all Directorates ensuring that all matters are prioritised appropriately.
• Ensure that there is an efficient electronic and manual filing and retrieval system in operation with a functioning brought forward system.
• Take lead responsibility for organising workshops and other functions as directed. This will require communication with all attendees, booking venues, organising catering, attendance on the day and note taking and typing from the day.
• Prepare and co-ordinate papers, presentations and agendas for meetings. Attend and minute meetings if required and transcribe minutes ensuring follow up action is taken for specific pieces of work/committees.
• Assist with budget management by coding and checking expenditure in accordance with standing financial instructions.
• Assist in the local induction of other members of staff within the Directorate as required. To support the recruitment, induction and supervision of other administrative staff where appropriate and as required.
• Cover within the Directorate PA/Secretarial team as required.

Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will:

• Provide a full PA provision for the Service Manager.
• Provide a full and confidential secretarial and administrative service to the Service Management Team.
• Provide a first point of contact for internal and external queries, answering them where possible and otherwise signposting them to the appropriate department.
• Attend and minute meetings as required and be responsible for the typing and presentation of reports and minutes in accordance with the required format.
• Manage the communication, to and from, the Service Manager and Service Management Team and across all Directorates ensuring that all matters are prioritised appropriately.
• Ensure that there is an efficient electronic and manual filing and retrieval system in operation with a functioning brought forward system.
• Take lead responsibility for organising workshops and other functions as directed. This will require communication with all attendees, booking venues, organising catering, attendance on the day and note taking and typing from the day.
• Prepare and co-ordinate papers, presentations and agendas for meetings. Attend and minute meetings if required and transcribe minutes ensuring follow up action is taken for specific pieces of work/committees.
• Assist with budget management by coding and checking expenditure in accordance with standing financial instructions.
• Assist in the local induction of other members of staff within the Directorate as required. To support the recruitment, induction and supervision of other administrative staff where appropriate and as required.
• Cover within the Directorate PA/Secretarial team as required.

Person Specification
Education/Qualification
Essential

• Good written and spoken English
• NVQ level 3 Business Administration and /or equivalent experience or qualification (e.g. RSA 3).

Desirable

• Recognised Medical Secretary Qualification/AMSPAR
• Good general education with Maths and English to GCSE standard or equivalent

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of a full range of secretarial and administration procedures

Desirable

• Advanced IT skills i.e. Word/Excel and PowerPoint and Outlook

Skills
Essential

• Experience of working within a team environment

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in the NHS
• Experience of working in the Mental Health environment

Person Specification
Education/Qualification
Essential

• Good written and spoken English
• NVQ level 3 Business Administration and /or equivalent experience or qualification (e.g. RSA 3).

Desirable

• Recognised Medical Secretary Qualification/AMSPAR
• Good general education with Maths and English to GCSE standard or equivalent

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of a full range of secretarial and administration procedures

Desirable

• Advanced IT skills i.e. Word/Excel and PowerPoint and Outlook

Skills
Essential

• Experience of working within a team environment

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in the NHS
• Experience of working in the Mental Health environment

Skills Required