Switchboard Operator

Switchboard Operator

The closing date is 09 February 2026

Provide a friendly, sympathetic and efficient operator service to the Trust, its staff, patients, visitors and members of the public. Act the emergency bleep protocol as required. Escalate estate alarm systems.

Ensure a professional first line operator service to members of staff and to the public, 24/7, 365 days across the trust.

Manage internal emergency telephones, be fully conversant with all Trust emergency procedures, alert appropriate team and accurately document all emergency calls/ incidents. Ensure correct procedures carried out for all emergency (2222) calls. Lift entrapments, major incident notifications. Receive major incident calls and activate plan. Liaise with Emergency Planning Liaison Officer, senior manager on call and Site Practitioner and take directions where necessary.

Prepare doctors and managers on call daily rotas and change where applicable. Assist night co‑ordinator and on‑call managers across the trust, directing calls and information where necessary. Respond to security alerts from all ESTH site premises in accordance with procedures, liaising with security provider, police and on‑call managers.

St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area;
St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC). After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs, including English or demonstrable experience.
• Basic qualification in introduction to computing and keyboard skills.
• Qualifications in call handling or call centre working or similar.

• Experience working within a team professionally or recreationally.
• Experience in customer facing roles.
• Experience in previous telephone based roles, experience in a healthcare setting.

• Previous experience of working in a customer focused service.
• Knowledge of office procedures.
• Previous experience of working on a switchboard/call centre or reception environment.
• Microsoft Office applications.
• Keyboard skills.
• Understanding of confidentiality issues/data protection.
• Ability to adapt to changing demands.
• Flexibility of working times and hours in line with service requirements.
• Experience of working within the NHS or related healthcare.
• Experience of working with mental health clients.
• Knowledge of mental health issues.

• High level of verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge & awareness of diversity and human rights.
• Ability to communicate effectively to ensure high standards of care, treatment, service or support.
• Able to provide a customer focused service.
• Negotiating skills. Ability to act positively in all situations.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

£29,179 a year Pa incl HCAS Outer pro rata