Switchboard Telephonist

Job summary

Are you calm under pressure, highly organised, and passionate about delivering excellent customer service? We are looking for a Telephonist to join our busy Switchboard team at Yeovil District Hospital to work 21.5h hours per week on the below pattern.

Tuesday - 15:30 - 22:30
Thursday - 07:00 - 15:00
Friday - 07:30 - 15:30

This role is varied and fast-paced, requiring excellent IT and organisational skills, as well as the ability to remain calm and professional when under pressure. You will also support colleagues by updating on-call rotas, taking payments, booking taxis, and issuing keys and accommodation.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

As a Telephonist, you will be at the heart of hospital communications, ensuring calls and emergencies are handled quickly, efficiently, and with care. You'll manage incoming calls, respond to emergencies, support the main reception out of hours, and provide vital communication links across the Trust and with external partners such as GPs, ambulance services, and local authorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Answer and transfer internal and external calls promptly and politely
• Respond immediately to emergency calls, contacting the correct teams without delay
• Support the main hospital reception and car park intercom out of hours
• Maintain and update complex on-call rotas for clinical teams
• Handle payments for parking, prescriptions, and accommodation
• Monitor and respond to alarms, ensuring the right staff are contacted at the right time
• Provide information and support to patients, visitors, and staff in a courteous and professional manner

If you're looking for a rewarding role where no two days are the same, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and become an essential part of our hospital switchboard team.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job description

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information about the role.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

Good general education (GCSEs) including English and mathematics or equivalent

Relevant vocational qualification(equivalent to Microsoft Office MOST, ECDL or related qualification

City & Guilds / NVQ 2 level or equivalent experience willing to completed vocational level 3 within agreed time scale

NVQ Customer Services or equivalent experience.

Desirable

Vocational level 3 /BTEC) in IM&T or information systems related subject (or relevant experience in IM&T environment)

Experience

Essential

Experience of providing customer focussed service

Proficient IT skills including keyboard skills and experience of Microsoft packages

Experience of effective communication including with distressed, anxious or angry individuals and able to escalate where appropriate

Proven administration work

Desirable

NHS Switchboard / Call centre experience

Experience of variable shift working

Previous experience of healthcare or large complex organisation

For help with your application, contact:

Rachel Harrisson

[email protected]

01935606593