Job Description

Switchboard Operator / Main Receptionist
Division : Estates & Facilities
Band : 2
Salary : 24,456 per annum/ pro rata
Interview Date: 20th & 23rd February 2026
3 x Posts Available

• 15:00hrs - TBC ( Weekdays )
• 22:5hrs - TBC (Weekdays )
• 15:00hrs - Fri - Sat 22:00pm - 06:00am

We are recruiting for aSwitchboard Operator / Main Receptionist who shares our ambition and vision to deliver theBest of Care by the Best People and has the drive to take us forward, by ensuring that the Trust continues to be the first choice for patients and our staff.
Main duties of the job
To provide an efficient, high quality professional and courteous telecommunications and reception service to doctors, staff, colleagues, health service professionals, patients and visitors in line with Trust requirements in order to provide a high level of customer service while maintaining safe and helpful hospital environment.
To initiate appropriate procedures regarding emergency situations that arise.
The post holder will be required to liaise and communicate effectively with internal and external partners.
Our values are Bold, Every Person Counts, Sharing and Open and Together. It is important that you understand and to refer to our values when completing your application and always reflect our values throughout your employment with the Trust.
We are committed to endorsing diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion; our policies / procedures ensure that all applicants are treated fairly at every stage of the recruitment process.
To contribute to our exciting future and become part of our team, apply today.
About us
Do you have the ambition and vision to deliver our mission of theBest of Careby the Best of People providing excellent care, every time?
Here at Medway, we pride ourselves on working together as one to ensure that our sharedvisionis achieved for our patients.
As a key partner in the healthcare of our local population, we are keen to deliver this as an outcome of our Trust-wide strategy -Patient First.Using an Operational Excellence approach to align our priorities and operational management structures, we are just over a year and half into ourPatient Firstdeployment. We are looking for creative, skilled people to join our Transformation Team and further support us on this journey.
Our culture and values define us here at Medway NHS Foundation Trust and are the heartbeat of who we are as an organisation.
OurBESTvalues underpinPatient Firstand are at the core of the care we give to our patients, the support we offer to our staff and our overall leadership approach:
B - Bold
E - Every person counts
S - Sharing and open
T - Together
Our Trust is a great choice for people who want to develop their career in an ambitious and dynamic environment; our employees are able to choose the coverage and supplemental benefits that best fit their needs and those of their families. This includes the promotion of flexible working opportunities across the Trust.
Details
Date posted
03 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 2
Salary
24,465 a year per annum/ pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
275-1225-SOMR
Job locations
Medway NHS Foundation Trust
Windmill Road
Gillingham
ME7 5NY
Job description
Job responsibilities
Operate a professional and efficient service to a busy telephone switchboard, ensuring that callers are connected appropriately and in a timely fashion
Maintain up to date information regarding extension numbers and other relevant general information to provide an efficient service
Manage the bleep system including the programming, issuing, documentation and instructions on use of bleeps
Operate and manage the emergency phone system to ensure that cardiac arrests, fire alarms and emergency calls are dealt with effectively and in a timely manner. This includes the assessment of the call and initiation of appropriate procedure. All action must be fully documented
Greet and welcome guests as soon as they arrive at the reception desk
Direct visitors to the appropriate person and location / departments
Answer, screen and forward incoming phone calls
Book taxis and maintain database for finance at the end of each month Job description
Job responsibilities
Operate a professional and efficient service to a busy telephone switchboard, ensuring that callers are connected appropriately and in a timely fashion
Maintain up to date information regarding extension numbers and other relevant general information to provide an efficient service
Manage the bleep system including the programming, issuing, documentation and instructions on use of bleeps
Operate and manage the emergency phone system to ensure that cardiac arrests, fire alarms and emergency calls are dealt with effectively and in a timely manner. This includes the assessment of the call and initiation of appropriate procedure. All action must be fully documented
Greet and welcome guests as soon as they arrive at the reception desk
Direct visitors to the appropriate person and location / departments
Answer, screen and forward incoming phone calls
Book taxis and maintain database for finance at the end of each month
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to GCSE or equivalent in English and Mathematics
• NVQ 2 Level or equivalent experience

Knowledge
Essential

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Packages (essentials include outlook, excel & word), ability to use internet and email applications
• To have knowledge of operating a busy switchboard is desirable but training will be provided

Experience
Essential

• To have experience working under pressure in an emergency environment
• Previous switchboard and office experience, preferably within a health service environment
• Strong experience of answering telephone calls and responding in a timely courteous manner
• Working in a pressurised environment, responding to numerous daily deadlines and ever changing priorities

Skills
Essential

• Flexible, able to provide cover at short notice on occasions
• Ability to work well under pressure

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to GCSE or equivalent in English and Mathematics
• NVQ 2 Level or equivalent experience

Knowledge
Essential

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Packages (essentials include outlook, excel & word), ability to use internet and email applications
• To have knowledge of operating a busy switchboard is desirable but training will be provided

Experience
Essential

• To have experience working under pressure in an emergency environment
• Previous switchboard and office experience, preferably within a health service environment
• Strong experience of answering telephone calls and responding in a timely courteous manner
• Working in a pressurised environment, responding to numerous daily deadlines and ever changing priorities

Skills
Essential

• Flexible, able to provide cover at short notice on occasions
• Ability to work well under pressure

Skills Required