About this role
Job summary
We are currently looking to appoint a Band 3 Departmental Secretary. This is an exciting opportunity to work within the Social Work Office based at the Freeman Hospital providing support to social workers and team managers. Although you will be based primarily within the Freeman Hospital, you may be expected to provide cover and support to the Royal Victoria Infirmary team on occasion. We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and reliable individual to join our busy team.
Interview Date Monday 21 September 2026 22 Hours 30 Minutes/Week (Monday to Wednesday) You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
You will be required to provide administrative support to a team of social workers and managers. Duties will include telephone and reception service, data input and retrieval (using corporate database systems for which training will be provided) and general clerical and word processing duties. You will be responsible for the daily management of 2 FTE Band 2 staff. This includes responsibility for carrying out supervision and appraisals, monitoring of annual leave and sickness and ensuring all mandatory training is completed. The role also includes responsibility for the management of petty cash, stationery ordering and repairs.
You will be a team worker with the ability to motivate others and have excellent organisational skills.
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:
Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) Freeman Hospital Newcastle Dental Hospital Cramlington Manor Walks Urgent treatment centres Newcastle Fertility Centre Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria Northern Genetics Service These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description Job responsibilities
To provide a comprehensive, efficient and effective clerical and administrative support service to Social Work staff within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Supervision of Band 2 staff day to day including organisation of workload, evaluation, appraisal, induction and training features relating to individuals Covering tasks relate to word processing of multiple documents and note taking at meetings Other tasks relate to management of staff leave, ordering of stationery resources, repair requests relating to management of offices, recruitment and selection of staff. Training, induction, supervisions and performance appraisals relating to Band 2 colleagues. Implementing new work practices, procedures and policies and responsibility for workload prioritisation. Assisting with telephone/reception duties, maintaining filing systems, input of computerised referrals and responding to ad-hoc queries from clients, carers, relatives, colleagues, management and medical professionals. Responsible for ensuring the maintenance of computerised records within the Directorates client database system Ensuring adequate cover is maintained on own and alternative sites and confidentiality and equal opportunities are adhered to at all times. Doing any other appropriate duties as delegated by Social Services Admin Team Manager and Trust Line Management.
Person Specification
Skills, Knowledge and Aptitudes Essential
oAccurate keyboard skills oIT literacy and experience of using Microsoft packages (Excel/Word/Outlook) oExcellent interpersonal/communication skills both written and verbal. Confidence to deal with difficult situations in person or by telephone oExcellent organisational skills oAttention to detail oExperience of arranging meetings including producing reports, agendas, minute taking skills/experience oCapable of undertaking clerical, financial and numeric tasks accurately with attention to detail oTeam-worker with the ability to motivate a team and also able to work unsupervised using own initiative with a flexible/enthusiastic attitude
Desirable
oKnowledge of the range of services provided by the Trust/Adult/Children's Social Care Directorates oExperience of mentoring/supervising staff in an office environment oKnowledge of NHS HR Policies and Procedures
Qualifications and Training Essential
oGCSE or equivalent at Grade C or above in English oNVQ Level 3 in customer care/business administration or equivalent experience
Desirable
oECDL computer qualification or equivalent
Experience Desirable
oRelevant work experience oExperience of mentoring/supervising staff in an office environment
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 The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Freeman Hospital
317 01 Freeman Hospital
NE7 7DN
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)