Job summary

We are looking for someone to join our Outpatients Referral and Communications Team as our new Operational Manager in Basildon.

As our Outpatients Operational Manager you will guide and support a friendly and hardworking team of Booking Clerks, Receptionists and Administrators whilst also managing the day-to-day function of the team, and driving positive and proactive service delivery to our patients awaiting referrals or treatments.

You will be expected to work autonomously, managing the demands of your day, prioritising both your work and the team's work and escalating concerns/ issues with your manager in a timely manner. So, experience of managing or leading a team is advantageous for this role.

So, if this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please apply today.

Main duties of the job

If successful, some of your duties will be to:

• Manage the day to day functions of the department, coordinating management responsibilities with Supervisors
• Coordinate and authorise rotas including annual leave and sickness with Supervisors, monitoring sickness levels and conducting back to work interviews
• Conduct performance appraisals and review personal development plans across the team
• Excellent knowledge of the Trust systems and Contact Centre Systems including: Electronic Patient Record (EPR, Electronic Referral System (ERS) and Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
• Oversee that new appointments and Follow ups are booked in chronological and Priority order and liaise with Service Unit Managers and Clinicians when capacity is not available
• Ensure all clinic capacity is fully utilised, coordinating clinic cancellation requests and template changes in line with the Trust Waiting Policy
• Monitor outpatient waiting times and patient tracking lists for all specialties booked by the team
• Hold team meetings and deliver relevant messages
• Liaise with Consultants, GPs, medical and nursing staff as required to cover clinical issues and ensure a patient focused service

Details

• Date posted: 04 November 2026
• Closing date: 11 November 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 6
• Salary: £39,959 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 390-NR-COR-BA-5795
• Job locations: Basildon, St Martins Square, Basildon, SS14 1DL, United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

We look forward to your application.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3/4
• English and Maths GCSE

Experience

Essential

• Outpatient experience
• Experience working in a customer/patient focused environment
• Experience managing a team

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).

About us

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Employer details

• Employer name: Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
• Address: Basildon, St Martins Square, Basildon, SS14 1DL, United Kingdom
• Employer's website: https://www.mse.nhs.uk