Access Booking Officer in Chorley

We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join #TeamMWL, with us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations. Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.

Main area Access Grade NHS AfC: Band 3

Contract Permanent: 9am - 5pm Monday Tuesday Wednesday and Friday

Hours Part time - 30 hours per week (30 hours Permanent post available & 27.5 hours 12-month post available)

Job ref Site Ormskirk Hospital Town Ormskirk

Salary £24,937 - £26,598 Per Annum pro rata

Salary period Yearly

Closing 25/01/ :59

Job overview As an Access Booking Officer at MWL NHS Trust, you will play a vital role in ensuring patients are booked efficiently and appropriately for outpatient appointments and diagnostic procedures. Based within the Access Centre at Ormskirk District General Hospital, you’ll be responsible for the day‑to‑day coordination of outpatient bookings. You’ll work closely with team leaders and administrative teams to ensure that patients are scheduled according to clinical priority, waiting times, and procedural requirements. This role demands excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently in a fast‑paced environment. Your contribution will directly support the Trust’s commitment to delivering Five Star Patient Care to a population of over 600,000 people across the Merseyside, West Lancashire, and surrounding areas.

Main duties of the job As an Access Booking Officer at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (MWL), your role is central to ensuring smooth and efficient patient access to outpatient services. Here’s a summary of the main duties:

• Administrative Support: General office duties include updating records, handling correspondence, and maintaining accurate data on the Hospital Patient Administrative System (Medway).
• Communication: Strong telephone and interpersonal skills are essential, as you’ll be in regular contact with patients and other departments.
• Independence and Initiative: The role requires someone who can work autonomously, manage time effectively, and adapt to changing priorities.

This position is typically based at Ormskirk District General Hospital and supports the Trust’s commitment to delivering Five Star Patient Care.

Working for our organisation Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites. We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing a comprehensive inpatient and outpatient service to patients.
• Liaising with patients, relatives and/or carers as well as medical representatives, GP’s, nursing staff, surgical team and support services to ensure the admission is appropriately planned and managed.
• Accurate addition of patients to the waiting list ensuring any relevant notes recorded.
• Providing advice to patients with matters relating to their admission (pre and post operative guidance) and with regard to their position on the waiting list.
• Planning multiple theatre/procedure lists up to six weeks in advance, using clinical knowledge, medical terminology and information to meet the patients’ 18‑week, diagnostic, cancer and/or 28‑day rescheduling targets.
• Ensuring that with effective planning and organisation the theatre/procedure lists are utilised to their maximum potential.
• Responsible for communicating information and changes relating to elective admissions, theatre lists etc with regards intended procedures.
• Identifying, attempting to resolve and pre‑empt situations which may result in a breach of access targets.
• Working flexibly according to the needs of the service including covering for colleagues during periods of leave.
• Managing all appointments on the ERS system ensuring all new appointments which are cancelled by the patient, are discussed with the patient and the appointment either remade or discharged within the appropriate timescales.

Person specification Qualifications:

• ECDL or equivalent
• NVQ 2 customer care or equivalent experience
• NVQ 3 business and admin

Knowledge & Experience:

• Computer literate – experience of using Microsoft packages
• Working within a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of working in a customer service environment
• Excellent communication skills to overcome barriers of understanding
• Experience of collating data
• Working in a demanding environment
• Use of patient administrative systems
• Experience of scheduling / coordination activities and/or resources.

Skills:

• Excellent organisational skills
• Able to work under pressure & to strict deadlines
• Flexibility and able to adapt to change
• Ability to work as a flexible and effective team member

Other:

• To frequently sit and concentrate in a restricted position for a substantial proportion of the working time due to continuous exposure to VDU equipment.
• To multi‑task between activities with frequent interruptions and a need to leave one task immediately.

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward‑thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring.