Clerical Admin Assistant Job UK 2026 – Visa Sponsorship, Requirements and How to Apply

A permanent-track NHS administrative role in England is one of the most stable and rewarding entry points into the British healthcare sector. University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust is hiring a Clerical Admin Assistant at Band 2 level for a 12-month fixed-term contract based at Queen’s Hospital Burton. This is a real NHS role with real responsibilities, supporting one of the busiest hospital networks in England. For anyone looking to build a career in healthcare administration in the UK, this is a strong starting point.

This position is well suited to organised, people-focused individuals who are comfortable working in a fast-paced office environment. You do not need a university degree or years of specialist experience to apply. What matters most is strong communication, solid keyboard skills, customer service experience, and a genuine willingness to support patients and colleagues in a professional healthcare setting. The Trust explicitly encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and communities.

This post covers everything you need to know about this opportunity. You will find details on the employer, daily responsibilities, eligibility requirements, salary, benefits, documents needed, a step-by-step application guide, and answers to common questions. Read everything before applying.

Job Overview

About the Employer

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB) is one of the largest NHS trusts in the Midlands region of England. It serves communities across Derbyshire and South East Staffordshire, operating major hospital sites including the Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Hospital Burton. With over 14,000 members of staff, it is a significant employer in the region and a major centre for both emergency and planned care.

UHDB handles an extraordinary volume of patient activity. The Trust sees an average of 4,810 outpatient appointments every day, operates 57 theatres for surgical procedures, and responds to more than 1,100 emergency patients across its network daily. It is the third largest A and E provider in England by patient volume and the fourth busiest Trauma and Orthopaedics outpatient department in the country.

Beyond its scale, UHDB is recognised as a research-active university hospital with a wide portfolio of clinical trials. The Trust holds an Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, is a Disability Confident Employer, and has strong commitments to equality, diversity, and inclusion. It actively encourages applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and offers a guaranteed interview scheme for qualified veterans and disabled candidates.

Job Description

This role sits within the Patient Access Centre team at Queen’s Hospital Burton. The Patient Access Centre is responsible for delivering outpatient services, managing health records, processing referrals, and supporting the trust’s referral-to-treatment functions. Your work as a Clerical Admin Assistant will directly support patient care by keeping administrative processes running efficiently.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing high-quality administrative and clerical support within the Patient Access Centre
• Handling extensive PC work including data entry, record management, and correspondence
• Delivering first-class customer service to patients, carers, and healthcare colleagues
• Managing health records, which may include some light physical movement of case notes
• Supporting outpatient appointment scheduling and referral-to-treatment processes
• Working as part of a collaborative team while also managing tasks independently
• Maintaining accuracy and attention to detail in all administrative duties
• Adapting to changing workloads and priorities in a busy hospital environment

The standard working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm with a one-hour lunch break, and Fridays from 8:30am to 4:30pm with a half-hour lunch break. This totals 37.5 hours per week. Some services at the Trust operate six days a week, so a degree of flexibility around Saturday working or adjusted hours may occasionally be required.

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract. Internal applicants applying as a secondment must obtain line manager approval before applying, as release from their substantive post is not guaranteed.

Requirements

Nationality or residency:

• Anyone from outside the UK (excluding those from the Republic of Ireland) must have permission from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to work in the UK. This may be through the points-based immigration system, the EU Settlement Scheme, or an eVisa.
• The Trust has flagged important changes to UK immigration policy for Health and Care Visa and Skilled Worker Visa holders. Applicants are strongly advised to review the NHS Employers guidance on these changes before applying, as the Trust may be unable to provide sponsorship for this role.

Education (essential):

• English and Maths GCSE at Grade C or above, or an equivalent qualification

Skills (essential):

• Computer literacy with good keyboard skills
• Clerical and administrative skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to remain calm and work confidently under pressure
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to work in a busy environment and meet deadlines

Experience (essential):

• Demonstrated customer service experience
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team

Experience (desirable):

• Previous experience working in a similar acute administrative or healthcare environment

Age limits: Not specified. The Trust is an Age Friendly Employer.

Other requirements:

• This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Having a criminal record will not automatically disqualify you. The cost of the DBS check will be charged to the new employee.
• Candidates should be prepared to work with flexibility on days, hours, and duties as service needs may vary.

Eligible Nationalities

This position is based in the United Kingdom. Eligibility to work in the UK is required. The Trust has explicitly noted that visa sponsorship may not be available for this Band 2 role, particularly given recent changes to UK immigration policy. Applicants from outside the UK are strongly encouraged to check their visa eligibility before applying.

The following candidates are likely eligible to apply without a visa:

• UK nationals and settled residents
• Irish citizens (who do not need permission to work in the UK)
• EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals with valid UK pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• Anyone with valid leave to remain and the right to work in the UK

For applicants from outside these categories, including those on existing Skilled Worker or Health and Care Visas, the Trust advises checking the NHS Employers guidance on immigration policy changes at www.nhsemployers.org before submitting your application.

The Trust welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds including:

• Africa: All nationals with valid UK work authorisation
• Asia: All nationals with valid UK work authorisation
• Americas: All nationals with valid UK work authorisation
• Europe: EU and non-EU nationals (check settlement or visa status)
• Middle East: All nationals with valid UK work authorisation

Available Positions

There is one available position in this recruitment:

Clerical Admin Assistant, NHS AfC Band 2

This is a 12-month fixed-term administrative support role within the Patient Access Centre at Queen’s Hospital Burton. The postholder will provide essential clerical and customer service support across outpatient, health records, and referral-to-treatment services. The role is full-time (37.5 hours per week) with the option to discuss reduced or flexible hours arrangements at interview.

Salary and Benefits

Salary:

• £24,465 per year on the NHS Agenda for Change Band 2 pay scale. If working part-time, the salary is paid pro rata.

Professional development:

• Access to development opportunities in both professional skills and leadership. The Trust invests in ongoing support for all staff from the point of recruitment and throughout their career.

Employee wellbeing:

• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for confidential mental health and personal support
• Discounted gym membership
• Onsite fitness classes

Transport and commuting:

• Car scheme access 
• Information on getting to work at UHDB sites is provided to new staff

Flexible working:

• The Trust is open to discussing part-time, reduced hours, compressed hours, flexible start and finish times, fixed or flexible shifts, annualised hours, term-time hours, and hybrid working arrangements. These are discussed at interview stage.

Armed forces and disability support:

• Guaranteed interview scheme for qualifying veterans and disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria

DBS check:

• Required for this role. The cost is charged to the new employee.

Accommodation:

• Not provided. You will need to arrange your own housing in or around Burton-on-Trent.

Health insurance:

• As an NHS employee, you have access to NHS healthcare. Additional benefits may be available through salary sacrifice schemes.

Required Documents

Prepare the following before you apply:

1. Valid passport or proof of identity and right to work in the UK
2. Updated CV or resume highlighting administrative experience and customer service roles
3. A personal statement written in your own words that addresses the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification
4. Evidence of English and Maths GCSE at Grade C or above, or equivalent qualifications
5. Contact details for at least two professional references
6. Evidence of any additional relevant qualifications or training
7. DBS check documentation (or readiness to undergo one)
8. For applicants from outside the UK: valid visa or evidence of right to work in the UK

Note: The Trust has been clear that applications appearing to be substantially generated by AI tools may be subject to additional review or clarification requests. Ensure your personal statement is written in your own words.

How to Apply

Step 1: Read this full post carefully and visit the official NHS Jobs listing for job reference 320-CDCS-BUR-4025 at www.jobs.nhs.uk.

Step 2: Download and read the attached Job Description and Person Specification PDF from the listing. Understand exactly what the role involves and what the essential criteria are.

Step 3: If you are applying from outside the UK or are currently on a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Visa, visit the NHS Employers immigration guidance page to check your eligibility before proceeding. The Trust has indicated that sponsorship may not be available for this post.

Step 4: Create an account or log in to the TRAC recruitment system, which is linked from the NHS Jobs application page. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

Step 5: Complete all sections of the online application form. Pay close attention to the employment history and qualifications sections.

Step 6: Write your personal statement. Address every essential criterion listed in the person specification directly and with concrete examples from your own experience. Do not use AI to write this section in full.

Step 7: Submit your application well before the closing date of 8 April 2026 at 23:59. The Trust has stated it may close the post early if a high volume of applications is received.

Step 8: Monitor the email address linked to your TRAC account regularly, including your junk or spam folder. All correspondence will be sent through the TRAC system.

Step 9: If shortlisted, prepare for the interview scheduled for 22 to 23 April 2026. Review your customer service experience, your ability to work under pressure, and your understanding of the NHS and patient care values.

Step 10: If you wish to arrange an informal visit or ask questions before applying, contact Lucy Parrott (Service Manager) at lucy.parrott1@nhs.net or by phone at 07385 374078 or 01283 511511 ext. 6452.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

The closing date for this position is 8 April 2026 at 23:59 (UK time).

Applications submitted after this date will NOT be considered.

There is an additional warning from the employer: if a high volume of applications is received, the Trust reserves the right to close the post before the stated deadline. Apply as early as possible to avoid missing out.

Selection Criteria

Beyond the basic requirements, the selection panel at UHDB will evaluate candidates on the following:

• Communication ability: This is a patient-facing and team-based role. The panel will look for evidence of clear, professional, and empathetic communication in both written form (your application) and verbally (your interview).
• Calm under pressure: Administrative roles in busy NHS environments require composure. Be ready to give examples of times you handled high-pressure situations calmly and professionally.
• Customer service track record: The person specification lists customer service experience as essential. Candidates who can provide clear, specific examples from their work history will stand out over those who make general claims.
• Organisational skills: The role involves managing multiple administrative tasks simultaneously. The panel will want evidence that you can prioritise, plan your own workload, and meet deadlines consistently.
• Team and independent working: You need to demonstrate both. The panel will look for candidates who contribute actively to team goals while also being trusted to work without constant supervision.
• Flexibility and adaptability: Given that some services operate six days a week and hours may vary, candidates who show a genuine willingness to be flexible will be viewed more favourably.
• Authenticity in application: UHDB has explicitly stated that substantially AI-generated applications may be flagged for additional review. Your genuine voice and real experience are what the panel wants to see.

Important Tips

1. Apply immediately. The Trust has stated it may close the vacancy before the 8 April deadline if too many applications come in. Do not wait until the last few days.
2. Address every essential criterion in your personal statement. The NHS scoring system is criteria-based. If you do not clearly address a criterion, you will not receive points for it, no matter how good your general statement is.
3. Check your right to work in the UK before applying. This is a Band 2 role and the Trust has indicated that visa sponsorship may not be available. Confirm your immigration status before investing time in this application.
4. Write your personal statement in your own voice. UHDB has published an explicit warning about AI-generated applications. Write from your own experience, use your own phrasing, and make the statement personal and specific.
5. Mention your keyboard and computer skills concretely. The job listing stresses that extensive PC use is involved and that excellent keyboard skills are essential. State the systems you have used, your typing speed if relevant, and any specific software experience such as Microsoft Office.
6. Use the optional informal contact opportunity. Calling or emailing Lucy Parrott before you apply shows initiative. It also gives you insight into the team culture and day-to-day realities that can strengthen both your personal statement and your interview performance.
7. Prepare for the interview dates. Interviews are scheduled for 22 to 23 April 2026. If shortlisted, you will have limited time to prepare. Start thinking through your examples and potential NHS interview questions now.
8. Monitor your TRAC account and email regularly. All communications including interview invitations will come through your TRAC system account. Check your junk folder too, as the sender may not be recognised by your email filter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Link

Apply for this position through the NHS Jobs portal using job reference 320-CDCS-BUR-4025: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk

For more information about University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust: https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk

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