Job overview

We are seeking an organised and professional Receptionist to join our team at Marlborough House, a 28-bed male medium secure unit located on the Milton Keynes University Hospital site. This role is part-time working 22.5 hours per week.

The service comprises two wards. Watling Ward is a 20-bed acute admissions ward, including an Intensive Care Unit and de-escalation lounge. Whilst Chaffron Ward is an 8-bed ward supporting men who are progressing in their recovery but continue to require medium secure services. Referrals are accepted from adult and forensic mental health services, prisons, and high secure hospitals.

Previous experience within a secure mental health environment would be advantageous. However, we welcome applications from candidates with strong administrative, communication, and customer service skills who are keen to learn and develop within a specialist healthcare setting.

This is an opportunity to contribute to a service that supports recovery, safety, and high-quality patient care.

Main duties of the job

As the first point of contact for the service, you will play a key role in maintaining a safe, welcoming, and professional environment. This is a varied role that combines administrative duties with excellent customer service and regular interaction with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities will include controlling access through the secure airlock system, issuing and monitoring security keys, responding to telephone enquiries, managing mail and deliveries, maintaining accurate records, and supporting visitors, patients, and staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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.

This role does not meet the minimum requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under UKVI regulations. To be considered, you must already hold the valid right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Person specification:

Experience

Essential

• Experience working in a customer-facing environment.

Desirable

• Previous experience of working within NHS.
• Previous experience in an Administration Assistant role.

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to GCSE or equivalent Grade A-C in Maths and English.
• Good IT skills, knowledge and experience of using programs, including Windows, Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Desirable

• A recognised administration qualification (NVQ Level 3, Business Administration qualification, or equivalent).

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Desirable

• To be able to work with constant interruptions from phones, emails and enquiries.