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Job summary

Main area
Admin and Clerical
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
846-7299153-TS
Employer
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Home
Town
Home
Salary
£24,625 - £25,674 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/07/2025 23:59
Interview date
16/07/2025

Employer heading

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust logo

PALS Officer

NHS AfC: Band 3

Job overview

Patient Advice and Liaison Officers (PALS Officers) have a high standard of customer care skills and will be required to deal empathically with patients as well as professionally with all members of staff and externally with other health care professionals; consultants, GP’s and the multi-disciplinary team, both from a primary and secondary care setting.

The PALS officers will support and direct people who contact the Patient, Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) to appropriate clinical services. They will aim to resolve matters quickly and signpost people appropriately. They will accurately record general queries, PALS enquiries and compliments and ensure these are sent on to the service or person concerned. If people wish to make a complaint the post holder will note these and ensure they are passed through to staff to follow the formal complaints process

Please note, this vacancy does not meet the criteria for skilled worker sponsorship and therefore, we are unable to accept applications from candidates that cannot provide documentary evidence of right to work in the United Kingdom.  If you feel you qualify for sponsorship via a discounted salary threshold, please contact us via [email protected] quoting the vacancy reference number and how you feel you qualify for a discounted salary threshold.

Main duties of the job

  • Facilitating the delivery of outstanding care by applying customer care principles when providing routine and complex information and guidance to patients, carers, relatives or colleagues, both verbally and in writing. This includes communicating in a professional and compassionate manner, especially when there may be barriers to understanding for example anxious patients, cultural differences, and language or communication difficulties. Responsibilities will include acting as a first point of contact for enquires by telephone, email and face to face, liaising with colleagues in other teams, services and directorates and assessing, resolving and escalating 
    team issues.
  • Ensuring the team operates effectively by undertaking comprehensive administrative tasks, such as handling team correspondence, scheduling appointments, clinics and meetings, managing agendas, diary management for the team, task related problem solving, maintaining stock of equipment and supplies and completion of standard forms, surveys and audits. 
  • Providing assurance of compliance with Information Governance policy and Standard Operating Procedures through maintaining patient records and or colleague records organisational reports 
    in an accurate and efficient manner. Responsibilities will include taking formal minutes, recording clear actions and following these up to check completion, data entry, updating patient files and 
    databases and assisting with collection of statistical information.

Working for our organisation

Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’ve got a passion for delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. To do this we need outstanding people who share our values compassionate Aspirational Responsive Excellent

We know a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We pride ourselves in being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences

We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms. This isn’t visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except when you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability. Short listers will see two ticks alongside your application to ensure they apply the principles of the scheme to your submission

The data we collect helps us to ensure we are attracting diversity in our applicants, that all our colleagues have equitable access to career opportunities and supports us on our journey to being a Great Place to Work

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want you to be able to work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Talk to us about a flexible working arrangement that won’t involve sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We’ll support you to work flexibly in a way that will suits us both

See where you can go with KCHFT career pathways

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As a community Trust many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. As such you will be asked to confirm you have a full UK driving licence where driving is a requirement of the role to be able to proceed with your application.  We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment, if you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team via [email protected] quoting the vacancy reference number so we can support you further.

The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.

Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.

We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.

At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.

Find out more about the community difference here.

Good luck! We can’t wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Level 3 qualification (e.g. 2 A/AS levels, NVQ level 3, BTEC diplomas, certificates and awards, international Baccalaureate diploma) or equivalent demonstrable experience
Desirable criteria
  • NVQ Level 3 Business Administrator, Customer Service Specialist or Team Leader or Supervisor

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Administrative experience
Desirable criteria
  • NHS administrative experience

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of team working and versatility to take on a variety of tasks
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of handling confidential information

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Advanced knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office packages e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint
Desirable criteria
  • Understanding of health and social care sector, including working knowledge of NHS structures, policies and processes

Skills and abilities

Essential criteria
  • Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills both on telephone and in person with patients, members of the public and colleagues
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to record accurate minutes of meetings and present to a high standard

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Excellent written communication skills
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to concentrate and focus on diverse tasks whilst dealing with frequent interruptions

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate and work effectively with a wide range of people from different backgrounds at all levels of seniority

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and organisational skills

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Ability to apply a logical approach to identify key or underlying issues in difficult situations and use initiative to solve problems
Desirable criteria
  • Possess a willingness to learn

Ability to Manage

Essential criteria
  • Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality at all times
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to cope with pressure during busy periods and act in a professional manner at all times

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareDisability confident leaderArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - OutstandingKent Community - Platinum Award LogoKEiBA Valuing Disability Business of the Year 2021Accredited Menopause Friendly EmployerRIDI Awards Finalist 2024

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Kerry Nunn
Job title
Complaints and PALS Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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