Band 3
Thank you for your interest in joining us at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
We pride ourselves in striving to be an employer of choice.
Strategic Themes
Great Care
- Care based on what matters to people.
- Care provided at home or close to home.
- Improvement through learning, research and innovation.
- Prevention and alternatives to hospital.
Great Organisation
- Buildings that support health and wellbeing.
- Technology enabled care.
- Care teams are supported by responsive corporate services.
- Safe, efficient, effective and productive.
Great People
- A place people love to work and feel valued.
- Living our values with staff (all voices count).
- Attract, grow and develop talent.
- Leaders with compassion, who continuously learn and listen.
Great Partner
- Encourage and enable effective partnerships.
- Joined-up community services.
- Work with others to maximise workforce opportunities.
- Reduce our impact on the environment.
At the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that’s job share, part time or another flexible pattern. In addition, although the role advertised may have a ‘home’ office base indicated, we remain committed to supporting flexibility around workplace locations. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
The successful applicant will be an NHS employee and may therefore have contact with vulnerable service users. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been necessary to take significant steps to protect the health and safety of our staff, service users and those attending our sites. Unless exempt, we encourage and support staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.
Job overview
We are looking for a Ward Secretary with excellent interpersonal skills and a calm and methodical approach to join the administration team at Longreach House, working on the Inpatient Wards.
You will need to be extremely organised and pay close attention to detail. You will provide a customer focused service to patients, members of the public and professionals. Assist the Ward Manager, multi-disciplinary ward team and Inpatient Administrator with various tasks using Word/Excel/RiO.
You will be responsible for supporting the ward team with notes management and telephone enquiries. The post holder will demonstrate a caring and sensitive approach to their work together with an understanding of confidentiality and information governance. Admin experience within the NHS/Healthcare service would be desirable.
Training and support will be given to the successful applicant.
Proposed Interview Date: 29th or 30th September 2025
Main duties of the job
To provide a wide range of administration duties for the members of the multi-disciplinary team and other departments. Communicating and responding to telephone queries, typing correspondence, , opening and sending post; ensuring patient admission packs and Mental Health Act paperwork available, arranging and processing repatriation documents, updating Daily Governance Information/CPA’s planning meetings and invites, scanning rosters, patient documents and uploading information to RIO, processing seclusion/segregation and Section 17 Leave documents.
Typing and distributing of all correspondence for ward team, including 24hr discharge letters. Minute taking of all ward related meetings.
Responsible for data entry requirements regarding admissions, discharges and the transfer of patients using RIO.
Ensuring Paper light notes are obtained including out of county notes on patient’s admission and forward as required on discharge/transfer, and tracering notes. Requesting medical notes as required Responsible for filing and upkeep of paper light notes whilst on ward and p-files
Ensuring patient monies and valuables are deposited or collected from the Inpatient Services Department
Working for our organisation
We’re a NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people’s physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.
We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you’ll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.
Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.
We work in people’s homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.
Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increase the numbers of people who use out services.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see ‘supporting documents’.
Person specification
Education /Qualifications and Relevant Experience
Essential criteria
- NVQ Level 3 Business and Administration or equivalent experience
- Minute taking
Desirable criteria
- RSA Level 3-word processing
Knowledge and abilities
Essential criteria
- Admin and clerical experience including knowledge of computer applications
- Knowledge of Mental Health difficulties
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of Mental Health Act
At Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust we are proud to prioritise the development of our people. To support this, the following opportunities are available:
- Career conversations and individual development plans for succession planning and talent management
- Protected CPD time for registered staff
- Access to a dedicated central development fund supporting CPD for all staff
- Leadership and Management development programmes
- Coaching and mentoring opportunities
- A full clinical induction programme for operational skills
- Access to a care certificate programme for our band 1-4 clinical staff
- A bespoke and robust preceptorship programme to support newly qualified staff
- Individual professional development programmes
Being part of a successful NHS Foundation Trust brings a portfolio of rewards and benefits for our staff. These include:
- Suite of health and wellbeing initiatives to support our colleagues physical and mental health
- Free access to individual HARP portfolios to support revalidation for nursing staff
- Free DBS checks where required
- Discounts available from retailers, UK hotels and main attractions
- NHS Pension Scheme
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- The Trust reimburses all application costs for staff eligible to apply for EU settlement status.
The Trust reserves the right to close this advert once a sufficient number of applications have been submitted. It is encouraged that you complete the application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.
If you are successful at the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process you will be contacted via TRAC.jobs email regarding interview details.
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust welcomes and values individuals with lived experience of mental or physical ill health joining our workforce. We aspire to have a culture that develops, promotes and supports lived experience roles - throughout the organisation.
If you are successful, you agree to Occupational Health accessing your health records from your current or previous employer to check the status of your inoculations and screening tests. Appointments are subject to full three year satisfactory references therefore please ensure you include correct contact details for your nominated referees including email addresses.
Any general recruitment queries, please contact our recruitment team on 01208 834644
