Ward Clerk @ North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (BCH)

Job summary

This exciting Band 2 Ward Clerk opportunity will be primarily based on Ward B3 at Halton Hospital, supporting the Community Winter Stepdown Ward from 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027.

The Community Winter Stepdown Ward has been established to support system winter pressures by providing care for medically optimised patients who no longer require acute hospital intervention but require ongoing assessment, rehabilitation, discharge planning, and support to progress through their discharge pathway. The ward plays a key role in reducing hospital length of stay, improving patient flow, and supporting timely discharge back to patients' usual place of residence or onward care settings.

Working as an integral member of the ward team, the Ward Clerk will provide comprehensive administrative and clerical support to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the ward. The post holder will work closely with nurses, therapists, medical staff, discharge coordinators, social workers, community teams and families to facilitate effective communication, maintain accurate records, and support the patient discharge process.

This post offers an excellent opportunity for an organised and motivated individual who is passionate about delivering excellent customer service and contributing to high-quality patient care within a rehabilitation and recovery-focused environment.

Main duties of the job

The Ward Clerk is responsible for providing a professional, efficient and confidential administrative and reception service to support the smooth day-to-day running of the ward. Acting as a key point of contact for patients, relatives, visitors and the multidisciplinary team, the post holder maintains accurate patient records, manages ward communications and contributes to delivering a positive patient experience within a busy ward.

About us

Flexible working will be considered for all roles.

North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM) serves more than one million residents across the Halton and Warrington boroughs and the wider North West region.

Bringing together community and out-of-hospital services (formerly provided by Bridgewater Community Healthcare) with inpatient and elective care (formerly Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals) we provide services at two hospital sites and more than 70 community hubs and facilities.

Our mission, vision and values are at the heart of North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM).

They underpin everything we do and everything we aspire to be as an organisation.

Our mission

We will be exceptional for our patients, our communities and each other

Our vision

We will be a great organisation providing excellent healthcare and opportunities to work and learn

Our values

• Kind: We are caring, supportive and respectful to everyone
• Open: We are honest, transparent and open to new ways of working
• Fair: We listen, value our differences and are inclusive to all
• One team: We work well together and with our communities

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive administrative and clerical support to the Community Winter Stepdown Ward.
• Maintain accurate patient records and documentation using both electronic and paper-based systems in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
• Support patient admissions, transfers and discharges by preparing and processing relevant documentation.
• Act as the first point of contact for telephone enquiries, visitors, relatives and healthcare professionals, ensuring a professional and courteous service at all times.
• Coordinate communication between ward staff, multidisciplinary teams, community services and external agencies.
• Arrange and support multidisciplinary team meetings, discharge planning meetings and ward rounds where required.
• Ensure patient information is accurately entered onto Trust IT systems and databases.
• Assist with booking transport and coordinating arrangements to support patient discharges.
• Support discharge coordinators and ward staff in maintaining accurate discharge documentation and tracking patient pathways.
• Manage incoming and outgoing correspondence, referrals and clinical documentation.
• Ensure patient notes and records are available, up to date and filed appropriately.
• Order and maintain ward stationery, supplies and non-clinical stock as required.
• Assist with data collection, audits and reporting requirements as directed by the ward manager.
• Monitor and escalate any administrative issues that may impact patient flow or discharge processes.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure compliance with information governance requirements at all times.
• Support the ward in providing a welcoming and professional environment for patients, relatives and visitors.
• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to support effective patient flow and timely discharge.
• Participate in mandatory training, supervision and personal development activities.
• Work flexibly as part of the ward's seven-day service to meet patient and service requirements.
• Order ward supplies and equipment through approved Trust ordering systems in line with agreed procedures and budgets.
• Receive, check, unpack and safely store deliveries, ensuring stock is rotated and stored appropriately.
• Replenish ward stock, including office supplies, patient information leaflets, PPE, cleaning materials and other ward consumables.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure.
• Understanding of confidentiality and information governance requirements.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Ability to work effectively with a range of healthcare professionals, patients and relatives.
• Professional and courteous telephone manner.

Desirable

• Understanding of NHS patient pathways and discharge processes.
• Knowledge of healthcare terminology.
• Awareness of rehabilitation services and intermediate care pathways.
• Understanding of patient administration systems and electronic healthcare records.

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience undertaking administrative or clerical duties.
• Experience working effectively as part of a team.
• Experience using computer systems and Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable

• Experience working within an NHS, healthcare or social care setting.
• Experience of patient administration systems.
• Experience supporting discharge planning, patient flow or ward-based administration.

Relationships

Essential

• If you are related to a director or have a relationship with a director or employee of an appointing organisation, please state the relationship.

Right to Work

Essential

• Do you currently have the unrestricted right to work in the UK?
• If appointed, will you require sponsorship under a UK work visa route (now or in the future)?
• Please note that sponsorship is not available for all roles. Sponsorship will only be considered where the post meets the relevant UK immigration requirements and where the organisation determines that sponsorship is appropriate for the role.

Qualifications

Essential

• Good standard of education including literacy and numeracy skills.
• GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics.

Desirable

• NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration or equivalent qualification.
• IT qualification.

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

North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (BCH)

Address

Halton Hospital

Hospital Way

RUNCORN

Cheshire

WA7 2DA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://northcheshireandmersey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)