Secretary - Neurosurgery

Overview

To provide a comprehensive support medical secretarial service to an allocated clinical area in an efficient and timely manner. This will be to support our expanding ESP team, as well as supporting the existing secretarial team.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

• To support the Medical Secretarial Team as a support medical secretary to an allocated clinical team.
• Ensure strict adherence and compliance to all Trust Policies and procedures.

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment.

We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC. If you have any issues with applying online or need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will connect you with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important and invite requests for less than full time/flexible working. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss prior to your application submission.

We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. Diversity is encouraged. Vacancies may close before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume you have not been shortlisted.

• Date posted: 29 January 2026
• Pay scheme:
  Agenda for change
• Band:
  Band 2
• Salary: £24,465 per annum (pro rata for part-time)
• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Working pattern:
  Part-time
• Reference number: 216-AM-DD7756846
• Job locations:
  University Hospital Plymouth, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH

• Communication:
  Communicates complex, sensitive or contentious information with a range of stakeholders, where persuasion or negotiation is required.
• Communicates complicated administrative information to staff from other departments and external contacts such as Devon Referral Support Service and the Clinical Commissioning Group.
• Contributes to changes in departmental policies and procedures to improve patient care.

• Knowledge of secretarial and administrative procedures and systems.
• Knowledge of Neurosurgery procedures and conditions to work with external partners to transfer patient care.
• Excellent understanding of RTT rules and codes and how to apply them.
• Coordination of specialty waiting lists/PTLs, including Cancer PTL, within the framework of the Trust Waiting List Policy.
• Work with the service line management team to ensure key performance standards in relation to patient access are met.

• Exercises judgement when dealing with enquiries. Analyses information to resolve problems for patients, carers and staff, e.g., travel issues, appointment issues.

• Organises meetings as required for mutual aid.
• Sorts and deals with all correspondence, keeping a satisfactory record and filing system.
• Required to cover for other colleagues during annual leave, sickness or peak workloads.
• Provide other secretarial assistance to the team as required, including typing up correspondence, references for junior staff and maintaining filing systems of this correspondence.

For further details please see the attached JD & PS.

• Essential:
  Demonstrable experience with patient management systems.
• Essential:
  Proven understanding of Primary Target Lists and waiting list management.
• Desirable:
  Proven understanding of local and national access policies.
• Essential: NVQ Level 2 in Business and Administration or equivalent qualification or demonstrable experience.
• Aptitude and Abilities:
  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; good written and verbal communication.
• Desirable:
  Ability to handle difficult/distressed patients in a sensitive and empathetic manner.

• Disclosure and Barring Service Check:
  This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a DBS disclosure.
• Certificate of Sponsorship:
  Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered.
• Employer:
  
  University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
• Employer address:
  University Hospital Plymouth, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH
• Employer website: