Most people scrolling past NHS job listings assume you need clinical qualifications to get in. You don’t. This Clerical Admin Assistant role at one of England’s busiest hospital trusts pays £24,465 a year, requires no degree, and puts you inside an organisation with over 14,000 staff and genuine internal career progression.
It’s a 12-month fixed-term contract, but NHS fixed-term roles regularly convert to permanent for strong performers. The closing date is 8 April 2026, and they’ve already scheduled interviews for 22–23 April, which tells you they’re moving fast.
Job Overview
| Job Title | Clerical Admin Assistant |
| Employer | University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust |
| Location | Queen’s Hospital, Burton, Derbyshire, UK |
| Salary | £24,465 per year (NHS Band 2) |
| Contract | 12 months (Fixed Term / Secondment) |
| Hours | Full-time – 37.5 hrs/week (Mon–Thu 8:30am–5pm, Fri 8:30am–4:30pm) |
| Visa Sponsorship | Unlikely – recent UK immigration policy changes affect Health & Care Visa eligibility. Check before applying. |
| Closing Date | 8 April 2026 |
| Interview Date | 22–23 April 2026 |
What You’d Actually Be Doing
- Managing patient records: booking, scheduling, and updating outpatient appointments across the trust’s systems
- Handling enquiries: fielding calls and queries from patients, clinical staff, and external referrers
- Processing referrals: supporting the referral-to-treatment pathway that keeps waiting lists moving
- Data entry and validation: extensive PC work requiring speed and accuracy with Microsoft Word and similar tools
- Physical records handling: occasional light lifting and movement of case notes between departments
- Working at pace: the trust sees around 4,810 outpatient appointments daily across 57 operating theatres, so this is not a quiet back-office role
Who They’re Looking For
Someone with
- GCSE English and Maths at Grade C or above (or equivalent)
- Solid keyboard and computer skills (Microsoft Word or similar)
- Customer service experience
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong written and verbal communication
Nice-to-haves:
- Previous experience in a hospital or acute healthcare admin setting
That’s it. No degree. No NHS experience specifically required. If you’ve worked in any customer-facing admin role, reception, call centre, or retail back office, you likely meet the essential criteria.
What Most Applicants Get Wrong
Three things consistently trip people up with NHS Band 2 applications:
1. They copy-paste a generic CV. NHS recruitment panels score applications against the person specification point by point. If your CV doesn’t explicitly address “ability to remain calm and confident” and “organisational skills” with concrete examples, it gets screened out before a human even reads it. A general-purpose CV won’t cut it here.
2. They skip the supporting statement. Many NHS applications require a supporting statement in addition to your CV. This is where most candidates are weakest — they either write too little or repeat their CV verbatim. The statement needs to be a direct response to the person spec, with specific examples from your experience.
3. They don’t prepare for values-based questions. UHDB explicitly states their values are Compassion, Openness, and Excellence. NHS interviews at Band 2 almost always include values-based interview questions — “Tell me about a time you showed compassion in a work setting.” If you haven’t prepared structured answers using the STAR method, you’ll struggle against candidates who have.
How to Apply (and Actually Get Noticed)
- Go to the NHS TRAC recruitment portal — you’ll need to create an account if you don’t already have one.
- Download the full job description and person specification from the listing page before you start your application. Score yourself honestly against every criterion.
- Tailor your CV and supporting statement to mirror the person spec language. Use their exact phrases — “ability to work in a busy environment and meet deadlines” — and back each one with a real example.
- Apply early. The listing explicitly warns they may close the post before 8 April if they receive high volumes. Don’t wait until deadline day.
- Prepare for interviews immediately. With interview dates already set for 22–23 April, you have roughly two weeks between closing and interview. That window shrinks fast.
Quick Eligibility Check: Visa & Immigration
If you’re applying from outside the UK, be aware that recent immigration policy changes have tightened eligibility for Health and Care Visas and Skilled Worker Visas, particularly for Band 2 roles. The trust notes that they may be unable to provide sponsorship. Check your eligibility on the NHS Employers site before investing time in this application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions people ask about this NHS Clerical Admin Assistant role at Queen’s Hospital Burton, including eligibility, interview format, visa requirements and what to expect from the application process.
Do you need NHS experience to get an NHS admin job?
No. The person specification requires customer service experience but does not specify that it must be within the NHS. Experience from retail, call centres, hospitality, school offices or any customer-facing admin role meets the essential criteria. Working in an acute hospital setting is listed as desirable, not essential.
Can you apply for NHS jobs from outside the UK?
You can apply, but for Band 2 roles like this one it is very unlikely the trust will sponsor your visa. Recent UK immigration policy changes have restricted sponsorship for lower-band positions. If you are already in the UK with a valid work visa or settled status, you are free to apply. If you would need sponsorship, check the NHS Employers immigration update page before applying.
What does Band 2 mean in the NHS?
Band 2 is an entry-level grade on the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale, which runs from Band 1 up to Band 9. This role pays £24,465 per year. Starting at Band 2 gives you access to the NHS internal job market, making it significantly easier to progress to Band 3 and Band 4 roles from the inside.
Do NHS fixed-term contracts become permanent?
There is no guarantee, but it happens regularly. If funding continues and your performance is strong, NHS trusts frequently extend or convert fixed-term contracts into permanent positions. Being inside the trust also gives you early visibility on internal vacancies before they are advertised externally.
Is Saturday working required for this role?
The standard working pattern is Monday to Friday. However, the trust notes that some Patient Access Centre services operate six days a week, which suggests occasional Saturday shifts may be needed. If this is a concern, the trust encourages you to raise it at interview where they will discuss what flexibility is possible.
What is the interview process for NHS Band 2 jobs?
NHS Band 2 interviews are typically conducted by a panel of two or three people using a mix of competency and values-based questions. This trust’s core values are Compassion, Openness and Excellence, so expect at least one question on each. Every answer is scored on a structured marking sheet, so preparing specific examples using the STAR method is essential.
What qualifications do you need for an NHS admin job?
You need GCSE English and Maths at Grade C or above (Grade 4 under the newer system). The listing also accepts equivalent qualifications, including functional skills certificates, O-Levels and international equivalents. No degree or diploma is required.
Does this NHS job require a DBS check?
Yes. Because the role involves access to vulnerable people, a Disclosure and Barring Service check is required. The trust charges new employees for the cost of this check. Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you as each case is assessed individually.
How do I make my NHS application stand out?
NHS recruitment panels score applications directly against the person specification. Your CV and supporting statement need to address every essential criterion individually with specific examples. The most common reason strong candidates are rejected at application stage is not that they lack the skills, but that they did not demonstrate them clearly enough on paper.
Official Application Link
This role is advertised on the NHS TRAC recruitment portal. You will need to create a free account if you do not already have one.
Apply here: Clerical Admin Assistant at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust“
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