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Receptionist/Administrator - Wenric Ward

Oxford

Full Time

£25,760 - £27,476 per annum

Expires: 14/06/2026

Band 3

Permanent

About the Role

Job overview

Wenric House Forensic Service, Littlemore, Oxford, is seeking a full-time Receptionist/Administrator who can effectively prioritise workload and demonstrate a high level of initiative.
 
Wenric Ward is a 22-bedded low secure male forensic rehabilitation ward, working with up to 21 inpatient individuals detained under the Mental Health Act and/or the criminal justice system. The ward is based in Littlemore, Oxford.
 
Interviews will be held in Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 4XN.

Main duties of the job

To provide professional, effective, and efficient reception and administrative support to all staff within the department, in line with agreed processes and procedures, to ensure service standards are met. To act as the first point of contact for Wenric, managing appointments and queries, allocating keys to staff, assisting with patient leave when required, and supporting the effective delivery of team priorities.

Working for our organisation

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the “candidate guide to making an application” and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”

Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

•    Excellent opportunities for career progression
•    Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
•    27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
•    NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
•    Competitive pension scheme
•    Lease car scheme
•    Cycle to work scheme
•    Employee Assistance Programme
•    Mental Health First Aiders
•    Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)
•    Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Managing the Reception Area
  • Controlling security at the airlock entrance, including signing visitors and patients in and out of the unit and maintaining general unit security.
  • Ensuring that banned items are not brought onto the unit.
Issuing keys to staff.
  • Answering phone calls and directing them to the appropriate person.
  • Keeping the reception area organised and tidy.
  • Sorting and distributing mail.
  • Carrying out key and reception inductions for new staff.
  • Ensuring equipment in the reception area is in working order.
  • Reporting any estates or maintenance issues in the reception area.
 
Secretarial Duties
  • Performing secretarial tasks, including typing, as agreed with the Business and Performance Manager/Ward Manager.
  • Taking appointments and managing room bookings.
  • Recording telephone messages and taking follow-up action personally or ensuring they are dealt with by the appropriate person.
  • Supporting the ward clerk where possible.
 
Maintaining and Developing Information Systems
  • Assisting the Business and Performance Manager/Ward Manager in maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of absence from work, training, and other key statistics.
  • Keeping computer records of ward business.
 
Personal Development and General Responsibilities
  • Maintaining confidentiality at all times.
  • Participating in regular appraisals and maintaining a personal development plan.
  • Attending relevant mandatory training annually.
  • Appropriately reporting and recording accidents and incidents and complying with Health and Safety regulations.
  • Demonstrating flexibility to provide cover for absence.
  • Undertaking any other reasonable duties as delegated by the Business and Performance Manager/Ward Manager.

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the “supporting statement” element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application. 

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

  • Good standard of general education to include 5 GCSE (or equivalent) including English and Mathematics

Desirable criteria

  • Evidence of completing Microsoft Office training

Knowledge

Essential criteria

  • Experience of using Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Basic Excel and Outlook
  • Experience of communicating effectively at all levels with a variety of contacts
  • Relevant administrative experience
  • Ability to cope with frequent interruptions.

Desirable criteria

  • Experience of using multi-functional devices e.g. scanning, faxing etc.
  • Ability to work accurately and to deadline with heavy workloads and prioritisation of tasks

People Skills

Essential criteria

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Good interpersonal skills Self-motivated
  • Ability to use initiative

Desirable criteria

  • Experience with dealing with patient facing contact
  • Ability to travel independently between sites within the Trust.

Documents to Download

Receptionist/Administrator - OPD.pdf (PDF, 163.1KB)

Guidance Notes for Candidates Applying for a job at OHFT (PDF, 424.6KB)

Recruiter Contact Details

Name: Yvonne Tierney-Taylor

Title: Business and preformance Manager

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 07557 499 032

Ready to Apply?

Location

Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

Job Reference: 267-FS8019129