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Job summary

Main area
Community Adult Mental Health
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (shift work: Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm/8am to 4pm on rota basis)
Job ref
263-CCG25-289-JW
Employer
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bensham Hospital
Town
Gateshead
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
02/09/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust logo

Call Handler

Band 3

Hello!

We are so delighted you are considering coming to work with us at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).

We know the power of looking into an organisation, one you might want to work in, or one where you are going to get help, and being able to say, ‘I’ve seen somewhere I can fit in and be myself.’  We’re on a journey to make the Trust an inclusive employer, representative of the community we serve and we want more of our community to consider applying for jobs with us.

Opportunities for you

Spanning east to west coasts from Northumberland to Cumbria and from the Scottish Borders down to Middlesbrough we’ve got exciting new opportunities available at every level and in every area.

We offer flexible working, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities, or training and development needs and there’s lots on offer in the way of benefits, such as, lease cars, childcare schemes, staff discounts, season tickets for travel and a cycle to work scheme. All this in a vibrant workplace supported by the following staff networks.

  • Cultural diversity staff network
  • Disabled staff network
  • LGBT+ staff network

We also have a number of staff support groups which are open to any staff to attend. These Include:

  • Armed Forces and Veterans Staff Association
  • Mind, Health and Wellbeing Community
  • Menopause toolkit and cafes and staff carer support group

We offer fantastic personal development opportunities through our Collective Leadership Programme and other Organisational Development initiatives. Whatever you are looking for, you will be joining a supportive, friendly team, offering varied and interesting roles, with opportunities for career progression.

Always improving

CNTW is regulated by the national healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our last two inspections have rated us as an outstanding organisation. We’re always seeking to improve as an organisation. Do you want to be part of that?

Please note that it is a requirement of this Trust that all external applicants pay for their own DBS certification if a DBS check is required for the post.  The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first monthly pay

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a patient focused Call Handler to work within the Newcastle & Gateshead Children and Young Peoples Service  (CYPS) based at Bensham Hospital, Gateshead.  Post is full time 37.5hrs per week Monday to Friday covering shift patterns of 8am to 4pm and 9am to 5pm on a rota basis 

The Call Handler role is extremely busy and involves assisting clients who may be experiencing a range of mental health conditions. You will act as a liaison between the patient and the clinical team to support all patients in receiving a positive, high quality and seamless experience throughout.  Postholder provides a telephone call reception service for all enquiries and referrals into the service and supports the team by engaging with service users, carers, and professionals to ensure that all calls are dealt with efficiently and signposted appropriately.  

Postholder will be required to utilise a high level of sensitivity and professionalism whilst providing call handling duties. The call handler will ensure all calls are responded to in an appropriate time frame and that all clinical information is effectively communicated and documented within the electronic patient records system as per agreed CNTW Trust standards whilst always maintaining confidentiality.  Postholder will need to communicate effectively with service users, carers, colleagues, and all other Professionals and participate in the continuous development of the service.

 

Main duties of the job

Post holders must have admin and clerical experience with recent demonstrable 12 month experience in :-

  • A customer/patient focused environment.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Fast, accurate keyboard skills 
  • Proven experience of accurate database input
  • Daily use of Microsoft Word/Office packages and email.
  • Good verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to be self-directed, motivated and to contribute positively within a team.
  • Well organised and structured.
  • Demonstrate flexibility in the role to meet the needs of the service.
  • Facilitate excellent customer service, in person and on the telephone
  • Provide proactive administration service to support the Team Manager including typing/checking documentation, processing mail, photocopying, scanning etc.
  • Provide agreed levels of support to the service in the absence of other administrative staff.
  • We would like to recruit a Call Handler who is flexible, responsive, motivated, well organised, adaptable and have a keen interest in providing an equitable service.
  • The post holder will be able to demonstrate the ability to deal with possible exposure to highly distressing or highly emotional circumstances and will be expected to  participate on all relevant training courses appropriate to the role.

    You should currently hold the required level of qualifications, as outlined in the Essential Criteria of the Personal Specification. If you do not meet this criteria you will not be shortlisted. 

 

 

 

Working for our organisation

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 19th August 2025

Closing date : 2nd September 2025

We welcome your application.

Please note - this vacancy will close once a suitable amount of applications are received.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • NVQ 3 in Care, Customer Care or Business Administration or commitment to work towards
  • General level of education to O-Level/GCSE or equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft applications, including e-mail communication
  • Good working knowledge of office procedures
  • Previous secretarial/clerical experience
  • Able to prioritise and plan own workload
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet targets
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working with medical records filing systems

Skills and Competencies

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written
  • Good organisational and planning skills
  • Flexible attitude to cope with fluctuating workloads and the occasional requirement to cover other areas in cases of staff absence
  • Have excellent customer service skills and confident telephone manner

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

Please be aware this vacancy may close earlier than the stated closing date, should an appropriate number of applications be received.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Linda Colligan
Job title
Administration Manager
Telephone number
07976748692
Additional information

Alice Hope

Administration Team Lead: 07773134557

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