About this role
Job summary
Are you an organised, approachable administrator who thrives in a busy environment and enjoys making a real difference behind the scenes? If so, we'd love to hear from you.
As a Ward Clerk, you will play a vital role in supporting the day-to-day running of Rowan Ward 2 at Summerlands Hospital in Yeovil. Acting as the first point of contact for patients, visitors and colleagues, you'll help create a welcoming, professional environment while ensuring essential administrative processes run smoothly and efficiently.
This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. You'll work closely with the multidisciplinary team, providing high-quality clerical, reception and administrative support that enables clinical staff to focus on delivering outstanding patient care. You'll also have opportunities to contribute to Quality Improvement projects, helping to shape and enhance services for the future.
Main duties of the job
As a Ward Clerk, you will:
Provide a professional and friendly reception service for patients, visitors and staff.Manage incoming telephone calls, emails and correspondence, ensuring enquiries are handled efficiently and appropriately.Support the smooth running of the ward through a wide range of administrative and clerical duties.Maintain accurate patient records and electronic systems, ensuring confidentiality is always upheld.Organise meetings, appointments and room bookings, and prepare documentation as required.Take notes and minutes at meetings and distribute actions where appropriate.Create and maintain spreadsheets and databases to support reporting, training records and workforce information.Process orders, invoices, petty cash transactions and maintain stocks of office supplies.Work collaboratively with ward staff, managers and administrative colleagues across the service.Provide flexible administrative support to the wider team and assist with cover arrangements when required.Participate in Quality Improvement initiatives and contribute ideas that support service development.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description Job responsibilities
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced administrator who enjoys working in a fast-paced healthcare setting and takes pride in delivering a high standard of service.
You'll become an integral member of a supportive ward team, providing comprehensive administrative support across reception, office management and patient record systems. Your strong organisational skills will help keep processes running efficiently, whether you're coordinating meetings, managing diaries, handling correspondence, maintaining records or responding to enquiries.
We're looking for someone who can confidently manage multiple priorities, remain calm under pressure and communicate professionally with a wide range of people. You'll regularly interact with patients, carers, visitors, healthcare professionals and external agencies, making excellent interpersonal skills essential.
The successful candidate will be comfortable using a variety of IT systems and Microsoft Office applications, with the ability to produce accurate documents, maintain databases and monitor information effectively. Attention to detail, discretion and a commitment to confidentiality will be key to success in this role.
In return, you'll join a welcoming team where your contribution is genuinely valued. You'll have the opportunity to develop your skills, support meaningful healthcare services and become involved in projects that improve quality, patient experience and team effectiveness.
If you're looking for a rewarding administrative role where you can make a positive impact every day, we'd love to receive your application.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Level II Word Processing or Typing qualification.NVQ Level 2/3 Business Administration or willing to work towards.
Experience Essential
Previous administrative experience.Experience of setting up and maintaining office systems and procedures that support the smooth running of the department.Knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office Packages.
Desirable
Experience of contact with users of mental health services.
Additional Criteria Essential
Ability to take minutes and transcribe in draft form.Ability to undertake PMVA training to required level for the role.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Rowan Ward
56 Preston Road
Yeovil
Somerset
BA20 2BX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)