1. Can you tell us about your previous experience in customer service or call handling? Can you tell us about your previous experience in customer service or call handling?
2. What motivated you to apply for the Switchboard Agent position at Ipswich Hospital? What motivated you to apply for the Switchboard Agent position at Ipswich Hospital?
3. Describe a time when you had to work closely with a team to achieve a common goal. What was your role, and what was the outcome? Describe a time when you had to work closely with a team to achieve a common goal. What was your role, and what was the outcome?
4. This role requires flexibility in shift patterns, including working nights and weekends. How do you manage your work-life balance under these conditions? This role requires flexibility in shift patterns, including working nights and weekends. How do you manage your work-life balance under these conditions?
5. How do you feel about working alone during out-of-hours shifts, and what strategies would you use to ensure you remain effective in those situations? How do you feel about working alone during out-of-hours shifts, and what strategies would you use to ensure you remain effective in those situations?
6. Can you provide an example of how you handled a difficult customer or caller? What approach did you take to resolve their concerns? Can you provide an example of how you handled a difficult customer or caller? What approach did you take to resolve their concerns?
7. Effective communication is crucial in this role. How would you ensure clarity and understanding when dealing with callers who may be distressed or in an emergency situation? Effective communication is crucial in this role. How would you ensure clarity and understanding when dealing with callers who may be distressed or in an emergency situation?
8. How would you handle a situation where you receive a call that requires immediate escalation to emergency services? How would you handle a situation where you receive a call that requires immediate escalation to emergency services?
9. The job involves monitoring various alarms and IT systems. What experience do you have with telecommunications or technical support roles? The job involves monitoring various alarms and IT systems. What experience do you have with telecommunications or technical support roles?
10. Can you explain how you would approach troubleshooting a technical issue with a Trust IT system during a call? Can you explain how you would approach troubleshooting a technical issue with a Trust IT system during a call?
11. Describe your understanding of protocol when dealing with emergency calls such as a cardiac arrest or fire alarm. What steps would you take in a high-pressure situation? Describe your understanding of protocol when dealing with emergency calls such as a cardiac arrest or fire alarm. What steps would you take in a high-pressure situation?
12. Have you ever been involved in emergency management or procedures? Please share your experience. Have you ever been involved in emergency management or procedures? Please share your experience.
13. How do you ensure that you maintain the highest standards of service in your daily work? How do you ensure that you maintain the highest standards of service in your daily work?
14. What steps would you take to keep your knowledge up to date regarding new communication technologies or best practices within a healthcare setting? What steps would you take to keep your knowledge up to date regarding new communication technologies or best practices within a healthcare setting?
15. Give us an example of when you had to manage multiple priorities or calls at once. How did you ensure each call was handled appropriately? Give us an example of when you had to manage multiple priorities or calls at once. How did you ensure each call was handled appropriately?
16. How would you approach a situation where you felt a colleague was not adhering to the necessary protocols in handling emergency calls? How would you approach a situation where you felt a colleague was not adhering to the necessary protocols in handling emergency calls?
17. Do you have any questions for us about the Switchboard Agent role or the Ipswich Hospital team? Do you have any questions for us about the Switchboard Agent role or the Ipswich Hospital team?
You can answer as many of these questions as you want.
Good luck!