ReceptionistNHS

Job summary

Join Us as We Reopen Our New CAMHS Inpatient Unit

We are pleased to invite applications for a brand new receptionist for evening and weekend working to join our newly redesigned Children and Young People's Mental Health Inpatient Unit, reopening in Autumn 2026.

Following extensive co-design with young people, families and staff, and significant investment in our workforce and therapeutic approach, this is an exciting opportunity to work in a modern, recovery-focused inpatient service delivering high-quality, purposeful care to young people with acute mental health needs.

About the unit

Our refreshed CAMHS inpatient service is built around:

• Purposeful admissions with early review points
• Structured, therapeutic care programmes delivered across 7 days
• Strong links with crisis and community services, including COAST (Crisis Outreach Acute Support Team),
• Trauma-informed and autism-aware practice
• A focus on least restrictive practice and improving experience and outcomes
• Supportive MDT working, safe staffing and strong clinical leadership

You will work as part of a skilled and supportive multidisciplinary team, delivering therapeutic care to young people and working closely with families and carers from admission through to discharge.

Hours

We have 2 posts available, one for 26 hours and one for 22 hours. Working patterns can be discussed at interview.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Reception and Customer Service
• Greet and offer a warm welcome to visitors, young people, families and staff in a professional and courteous manner.
• Provide information and assistance to visitors, including arranging access requirements.
• Notify relevant staff members of visitor arrivals.
• Deal politely and effectively with enquiries, including those where communication barriers may exist.
• Switchboard and Communications
• Operate the switchboard and answer telephone calls promptly and professionally.
• Respond to queries or direct calls to the appropriate person.
• Take and relay messages accurately.
• Mail and Administrative Support
• Sort, process, and distribute internal and external mail.
• Arrange postage, including Recorded and Special Delivery services when required.
• Carry out general clerical duties such as typing, photocopying, document production, and preparing meeting papers.
• Produce documents using Trust templates and guidelines.

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• Facilities and Building Management
• Maintain beverage machines and monitor stock levels, ordering supplies as required.
• Report maintenance issues promptly to Estates and Facilities.
• Monitor building security and report suspicious attempts to gain entry.
• Contact the Fire Brigade if a fire alarm sounds and attend mandatory fire safety training

Job description

Essential Criteria Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) or a good standard of secondary education, including GCSE Grade C/4 or above.
• PC skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office software.

Knowledge & Experience

• Previous reception and switchboard experience.
• Experience of working with the public.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to use own initiative.
• Ability to work in a confidential setting.
• Good listening skills.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to keep accurate records.
• Excellent telephone manner.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Good timekeeping.
• Ability to concentrate on specific tasks despite competing demands.
• Ability to cope with occasional exposure to distressing situations.
• Ability to deal with clients who may be distressed.

Values & Behaviours

• Demonstrates support for the Trust's values and beliefs.
• Demonstrates an understanding of Human Rights principles in service delivery.
• Effective team working.
• Punctual and flexible when required.

Desirable Criteria Knowledge & Experience

• Lived experience of mental health issues.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to keep accurate records (identified as both essential and desirable within the person specification).

About us

Working for our organisation

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust delivers specialist mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services across Sussex.

This post sits within our Specialist CAMHS Services, providing opportunities to gain experience across acute, crisis and community pathways as part of your career development.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to creating a compassionate and supportive working environment where staff feel valued, developed and able to thrive.

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to be part of a newly reopened CAMHS inpatient unit
• Comprehensive induction programme prior to opening where all new staff train together and contribute to the team's therapeutic approach
• A welcoming and supportive team culture with strong clinical leadership
• Access to training
• Clear development and progression pathways into senior nursing roles
• NHS Pension Scheme and Agenda for Change benefits

If you are looking to start or develop your career in CAMHS and want to make a meaningful difference to young people and their families, we would love to hear from you.