Operations Assistant(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Automotive Jobs, Health and Care
Uk
February 28, 2026
Full Time Permanent
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Job Description

Step Into a Leadership Role That Makes a Difference

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a confident and motivated Operations Assistant to join the Ophthalmology service within the Division of Surgery, Anaesthetics & Critical Care at King’s Mill Hospital.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced healthcare environment and wants to combine team leadership with hands-on operational management — all while ensuring patients experience smooth, well-coordinated care.

About the Trust

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides acute and community services to more than 420,000 people across Nottinghamshire and surrounding counties.

King’s Mill Hospital has been rated “Outstanding” for care by the Care Quality Commission and is recognised as one of the best acute Trusts to work for in the East Midlands. The organisation is clinically led, patient-focused, and committed to staff wellbeing and inclusion.

The Role

As Operations Assistant, you will lead and support a team of:

  • Patient Pathway Coordinators
  • Clinical Typists
  • Records Assistants

You will oversee the administrative function that underpins elective ophthalmology services, ensuring patients move smoothly from referral through treatment and discharge.

This is both a people-management and performance-management role — balancing patient experience, service efficiency, and key NHS performance targets.

Your Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

  • Manage and motivate a busy administrative team.
  • Support rota coordination and clinic scheduling.
  • Ensure performance targets and service standards are consistently met.

Patient Pathway Management

  • Act as a key contact for patients accessing elective services.
  • Oversee referral-to-treatment (RTT) timelines and performance indicators.
  • Proactively identify delays and implement solutions.

Data & Performance Oversight

  • Analyse service performance data using Microsoft Excel.
  • Highlight trends, risks, and inconsistencies in KPI reporting.
  • Contribute to business cases, reports, and service improvement initiatives.

Service Improvement

  • Participate in modernisation projects and process mapping.
  • Assist in producing business case documentation, project plans, risk registers, and meeting minutes.
  • Work collaboratively with clinical and senior management teams.

What We’re Looking For

Essential Qualifications

  • GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent).
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Essential Skills & Knowledge

  • Understanding of business and performance management principles.
  • Ability to prioritise competing deadlines effectively.
  • Confidence working independently and within a wider team.
  • Competence in Microsoft Office applications.
  • Ability to analyse and interpret statistical or business data.
  • Strong problem-solving ability and initiative.

Desirable

  • NHS operational knowledge, particularly RTT and key KPIs.
  • Experience of line management.
  • Advanced Excel and spreadsheet design skills.
  • Experience supporting service development or improvement projects.

Visa & Right to Work Information

Not all roles at the Trust qualify for visa sponsorship. Applicants should review official eligibility guidance before applying.

Relevant government resources:

Changes to Home Office guidance (effective from 9 April) may impact visa-switching eligibility, even where roles appear on national lists.

Safeguarding & Compliance

If the role involves regulated activity, an appropriate DBS check will be required. The Trust arranges the check and recovers the fee via payroll once employment begins.

Applicants must ensure that all information provided is accurate and reflects genuine personal experience. Applications found to contain misleading or misrepresented information may not be progressed.

Why Join the Ophthalmology Team?

This position offers the chance to grow your operational leadership skills in a high-performing NHS organisation. You’ll have real influence over service quality, patient experience, and team development.

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