About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an experienced, proactive, and highly organised Administrative Team Manager to lead the reception and administrative services within the Emergency Department (ED) at Bedford Hospital. The post holder will provide a comprehensive, high-quality, and confidential administrative management service, ensuring the delivery of efficient, effective, and patient-focused support across the department. They will be responsible for leading and developing the ED administrative and reception teams, overseeing patient registration processes, Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) appointment management, and clinical coding activities. The successful candidate will manage team workloads, performance, and service standards, while building positive and collaborative working relationships with clinical and operational colleagues at all levels. Through strong leadership and operational oversight, the post holder will play a key role in supporting the smooth, safe, and effective running of the Emergency Department. The post holder reports directly to the Service Manager for ED and Acute Services.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management and leadership of the Emergency Department administrative and reception teams, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, efficient, and patient-focused service. Key responsibilities include workforce management, recruitment and retention, performance and attendance management, rota oversight, training and development, data quality and clinical coding compliance, meeting national and local performance targets, financial monitoring, complaint and incident management, policy implementation, continuous service improvement, and maintaining effective communication with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. The post holder will work closely with the ED Management Team to support the delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centred care, while ensuring administrative processes are compliant with Trust policies and procedures.For further details on the duties, responsibilities, and person specification for this role, please refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job
Job description Job responsibilities The post holder will provide operational leadership and day-to-day management of the Emergency Department administrative and reception teams, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, efficient, and patient-centred administrative service. They will be responsible for workforce management, including recruitment, retention, staff development, performance management, attendance monitoring, and rota coordination. The role will oversee key administrative functions such as patient registration, appointment management, clinical coding, data quality, and compliance with Trust policies, procedures, and performance standards. Working closely with the multidisciplinary Emergency Department team, the post holder will support service improvement initiatives, monitor performance and financial controls, manage complaints and incidents, contribute to audits and governance activities, and ensure effective communication with patients, staff, and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the safe, effective, and efficient delivery of Emergency Department services. For further information about the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the role, please refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Educated to GCSE level (or equivalent) inc. English and Maths Evidence of personal development Level 4 NVQ or equivalent in Business/Management or equivalent experience
Desirable
Leadership / management qualification
Experience Essential
Previous supervisory experience Experience of working with Microsoft Office Experience in dealing with difficult people / staff / or patients/public Able to work in a changing environment and work underpressure
Desirable
Experience of using NHS Admin Systems (Nervecentre/Symphone/PIMS) Experience working in an ED in the NHS Knowledge of Healthroster Experience in manging a reception team
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge of line management e.g. recruitment/staff training/motivating a team Ability to handle confidential information Ability to deal with stressful situations Good organisation / prioritisation skills Organisation and coordination of meetings
Desirable
Knowledge of Trust Policies e.g. sickness policy/annual leave policy Knowledge of incident reporting Knowledge of complex HR processes such as grievance/disciplinary/dismissal
Personal Skills Essential
Motivated to influence and inspire others Able to develop strong relationships with all disciplines e.g. nurses/clinicians Desire to improve performance Attention to detail Communication skills
Desirable
Empathetic and approachable to manage sensitive situations Can lead and support teams through change Evidence of service improvements
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Bedford Hospital (South Wing)
Kempston Road
Bedford
MK42 9DJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)