Band 2 Administration Assistant

There is currently a vacancy for an Administrative Assistant, in the Histology office within the department of Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology. This post is 12 months fixed term, with the caveat of becoming a permanent position.

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust provides comprehensive healthcare to the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The department serves a resident population of over 600,000 which generates over 35,000 Histology requests, 3,500 routine cytology requests and 1,400 post mortems.

As an Administrative Assistant, you will be working as part of a team providing secretarial and administrative support to a busy department. A general understanding of the NHS along with word processing and audio typing skills, are advantageous including skills using a variety of computer packages. You will be required to have a professional attitude to work, working closely with staff at all levels, with the ability to work independently or as part of a team, and have an eye for detail and accuracy.

The position is full time 37.5hrs per week and a flexible attitude to working hours is necessary. Hours are within a framework of 08:00 - 20:00 hours with routine working hours mainly between 08:00 and 17:00 hours including some weekend working.

You are advised to make arrangements to visit the department to see what the job role entails. For further information please contact the Laboratory Administration Manager, Natalie Blewett, on 01872 252550.

Provide comprehensive administrative support to all departmental consultants and key team members across more than one specialty

To undertake specific aspects of administrative work associated with the Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology service

Operate within a highly flexible team for the effective overall delivery of patient care, through multi-disciplinary working and knowledge of consultant, specialty, hospital & inter-agency practice

Maintain optimum communication between consultants, other key directorate staff & other health professionals and associated agencies

Support consultants and key team members in the delivery of other roles - e.g. Specialty Lead, Head Biomedical Scientist, Governance Lead

Maintain absolute patient confidentiality in accordance with the Trust Policy

Sustainability is integral to the Trust achieving the NHS Net Zero target. All staff are therefore actively encouraged and supported to implement new ways of working within their field of expertise.

Organise and manage administrative support for the consultants and key team members within team-rostered arrangements

Take and process telephone calls in accordance with the Trust/Directorate Policy and in an appropriate manner

To assist in maintaining computerised patient files and when accessing information/operational systems e.g. PAS/Maxims/WinPath within Trust Policy

To obtain and return patient-related data (X-Rays, casenotes etc) according to Trust Policy

To assist in organising and ensuring consultants full participation in Trust-Wide Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings and other Cancer Agenda requirements

To maintain good communication and relations between consultants/departments, requesting consultants, GPs, other requestors and external agencies

To develop and/or maintain databases

To maintain up-to-date diaries, electronically and/or manually, and arrange appointments for meetings/conferences and organise/attend as necessary

To assist in the production of letters for referral cases as requested by consultant staff

To package, record on database and send away blocks/slides for second opinion

To arrange courier services for the transportation of specimens to other hospitals

To assist colleagues in the photocopying/scanning/laminating of any documents

To chase reports to ensure deadlines are met

To be aware of and adhere to the requirements, policies and procedures of the Quality Management System in Pathology.

Undertake appropriate mandatory training

Any other duties commensurate with the post