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Job summary

Main area
Planned Care
Grade
Band 2
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 30 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
Job ref
210-2025-248-A
Employer
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Countess of Chester Hospital
Town
Chester
Salary
£24,169 pa pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
04/05/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Support Secretary

Band 2

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.  
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit. 

Job overview

Working Part time : 30 hours per week

The Head & Neck Directorate is well established within the Trust, with a team of dedicated clinical and administrative staff who strive to provide an excellent service to the patients in the population served by the Countess of Chester Hospital.

What this Opportunity means:

Development opportunities, including skills and leadership development.

Whole day induction, introducing you to our Trust and ensuring you settle in.

A friendly and supportive working environment (see our Trust Behavioural Standards).

Competitive Salary, with incremental pay progression.

Excellent holiday entitlements 27 days + bank holidays rising to 33 after 10 years’ service (pro rata).

Competitive pension scheme.

As part of our commitment to Improving Working Lives, family friendly benefits, such as flexible working practices, on-site nursery, holiday play scheme and support for all carers are just a few of the benefits we can offer.

See Job Description for further details

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to provide comprehensive administrative and clerical support to various specialties within the Head & Neck Directorate as directed by the Team Leader and/or Assistant Service Manager. The successful candidate must be able to work using their own initiative, and also as part of a busy team.

To undertake audio transcription and typing of clinic and miscellaneous digital dictation as required by the Team Leader.

Good communication skills are essential as the post holder will need to liaise directly with patients, consultants and other hospital staff.

A working knowledge of general office procedures and Microsoft packages is required but full training will be given in the use of hospital software.

Knowledge of medical terminology would be an advantage.

Working for our organisation

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:

  • The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds
  • Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility
  • Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.                                                              

The Trust employs over 6258 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 407,000. This includes 357,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.

The Trust is a busy district general hospital and in 2022/2023, there were more than 503,342 patient attendances (inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery. This is an increase of nearly 10,000 compared to the previous year when there were 494,387 patient attendances.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GCSE standard (English) or NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • RSA Typing III
  • Audio typing qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Audio Typing experience
  • Touch typist
  • Knowledge of Microsoft packages
Desirable criteria
  • Familiar with medical terminology
  • Relevant clerical experience

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to work under pressure and in a busy department
  • Ability to problem solve and use initiative
  • Ability to cope well with change
  • Have a positive attitude

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - SilverMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into health

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sophie Collings
Job title
Assistant Service Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01244 364225
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