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East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

About

At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust:

We provide high quality services for the local population of over half a million people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area.

We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.
We treat nearly three quarters of a million patients a year from the most serious of emergencies to planned operations and procedures.
We offer care across Three hospital sites, and various community sites, using state-of-the-art facilities.

In this section you’ll find information about our hospitals, the goals the Trust is working hard to achieve, the annual plan and reports on how we are performing.

We are always try to deliver the highest quality care to our patients and have ambitious plans to continue to improve the services we offer in response to the changing needs of our patients.

Background.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is an NHS Organisation, which was formed on the 1st April 2003, following the merger of Blackburn Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care NHS Trust and Burnley Health Care NHS Trust.

In addition to a full range of acute hospital services the trust is a growing centre for emergency hospital services, Hepato Biliary, Head and Neck and Urological Cancer services, a growing centre for Cardiology services and a network provider of Level III Neonatal Intensive Care.

The Trust has a total of over 950 inpatient beds at Burnley General Teaching Hospital and Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital. Inpatient rehabilitation services are also provided at Pendle Community Hospital and at the Rakehead Unit at Burnley General

Contact

Address: Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital; Haslingden Road; Blackburn; Lancashire; BB2 3HH
Contact Number: 01254732075

Find out more

Jobs Website

Closed

Ref: 435-1LSC-LT-022-25 Vacancy ID: 6981232

Payroll and Pension Officer

Closed for applications on: 24-Mar-2025 00:01

Vacancy status: Closed

Closed for applications on: 24-Mar-2025 00:01

Location

Site: Preston Business Centre
Address: Watling Street Road, Fulwood
Town: Preston
Postcode: PR2 8DY
Major / Minor Region: Lancashire

Contract type & working pattern

Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)

Salary

Salary: £24,071 - £25,674 per annum, pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Grade: (Band 3)

Specialty

Main area: Payroll and Pension Officer

Interview date: 04/04/2025

One LSC is a new collaborative partnership shared service formed by the five NHS Trusts serving the Lancashire and South Cumbria population of 1.8 million people. We are a shared service run by the NHS, for the NHS and are hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust on behalf of the partner Trusts of the Lancashire and South Cumbria system.

One LSC stands for ‘One Lancashire and South Cumbria’ and reflects the Lancashire and South Cumbria System ambition to have one team serving Lancashire and South Cumbria in a joined-up way. It is jointly run by the five Trusts as a collaborative partnership.

The Trusts that make up One LSC are:

· Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

· East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

· Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

· Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

· University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

One LSC brings together the Digital, Data and Technology, Estates and Facilities, Finance, People Services and Procurement and Logistics services from each of the provider Trusts to create one central community of professionals. Under one leadership team, they will provide services for and on behalf of all Trusts.

The aim is to bring services more closely together so that we can deliver the best service possible to each of our partner organisations. At the core of One LSC delivery is eliminating duplication, removing unwarranted variation, realisation of the benefits of sharing common systems and processes and ensuring we deliver value for money for our partners, our system and, ultimately, for the communities we serve.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Make authorised payments to employees accurately and promptly in accordance with the Trust and Client Organisation Standing Financial Instructions, policies and procedures.
Prepare and ensure that all payments are made in accordance with National Terms and Conditions unless specific written approval or local variations.
Ensure accurate input of contractual and variable data and the completion of all appropriate documentation.
Undertake validation of documentation prior to input, and feeding back discrepancies and advising correct course(s) of action to managers/clients as appropriate
Accurate input of high volume and complex employee/payroll data into the Electronic Staff Record System within agreed deadlines.
Process payments correctly within scheduled deadlines ensuring all input has been checked for authorisation and accuracy. Take corrective action as appropriate.
Utilising report functionality to identify any payments processed and to identify any discrepancies.
Ensure the accurate and timely completion and issuing of any HR letters or documents which form part of the HR transactional service.
Ensure the correct assessment, calculation and application in relation to employee records, and ensure payments or deductions are made in accordance with legal and operational requirements.
Make annual tax records and other relevant documentation available to employees promptly and in accordance with statutory legislation.
Ensure the correct assessment, calculation and application in relation to employee records and payments.
Ensure all payments are made in line with AfC/M&D Terms and Conditions of Service or local Trust policies and that the appropriate approval is sought for any payments outside these regulations in line with internal procedures.
Utilise the Healthroster system to ensure that entries reflect correct payments due, in line with Statutory Terms and Conditions. Highlight to Healthroster Team if any discrepancies.
Explain payroll, NHS Pension scheme and statutory information clearly to employees, handling and resolving complex and sensitive queries/issues courteously and confidentially.
Take follow up action as required in order to resolve enquiries.
Post holder demonstrates the ability to assist in the training and development of new or inexperienced staff.
Organise and prioritise own workload ensuring strict deadlines are adhered to.
Prepare relevant returns and documents and submit to external agencies and organisations in a timely manner.
Reconcile deduction records with payroll system.
Compile spreadsheets detailing complex pay information and responding to detailed enquiries from solicitors regarding loss of earnings, RTA and compensation claims.
Prepare, process and update NHS pension scheme records via the internet using the NHS Pensions online facility.
Ensure the correct set up and deduction for any local schemes including NEST.
Ensure correct entries are made in ESR for Auto-enrolment.
Respond to all enquiries either written or verbal in a professional, courteous and timely manner and ensuring a high standard of customer service is provided.
Recognise where problems/issues need to be escalated.
Provide effective communications to include the distribution of confidential information, including promotion of new communication technologies to the Trust and system users.
Maintain an effective working relationship with other members of the department, other employees within the Trust and external organisations to deliver a professional service focused on achieving a high level of customer satisfaction.
Plan own workload in conjunction with Employee Services Team Manager to ensure procedures and timescales are observed taking on additional payroll work to cover for absent colleagues.
Issue the appropriate letters in respect of terminations, maternity and return, paternity/adoption and return, retire and return, change of hours and confirmation of employment.
Comply with Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions, Reservation of Powers to the Board and Scheme of Delegation of the Trust and Client Organisations to ensure probity.
Maintain an effective working relationship with other individuals of the Directorate, other officers of the Trust and Client Organisations in order to ensure the delivery of a professional service focused on achieving a high level of customer satisfaction.
Adhere to the Trust’s Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions and relevant Trust policies and procedures.
Apply correct cost centres and subjective codes as instructed for split cost centres or recosting of elements.
To carry out other appropriate delegated duties as required by Head of Department.
The job description and person specification are an outline to the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an on-going basis in accordance with the changing needs to the department and the organisation.

Dear Potential Applicant,

It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.
This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants, who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application, will be short-listed.

Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS)

If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained.

The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed.

The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38.

This cost is not applicable for a Volunteer post

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The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust.

We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background.

We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible. By telephone 01254 732075 or email [email protected] or write to Employment Services, Parkview Offices, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, BB2 3HH

Thanks for taking the time to view this advert; we look forward to receiving your application.

Please be aware that this vacancy may close earlier than the published date if sufficient applications are received. It is, therefore, recommended that you apply as soon as you can.

We will contact you by e-mail to update you on the progress of your application, so please check the e-mail account that you applied from regularly (including spam/junk).

The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, is committed to improving the working lives of its colleagues and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy on aggression, violence, bullying and harassment.

As a recruitment service, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service in recruiting people into positions of trust.

It is important to us that we employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone - irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background.

We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that as an employer we are under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable you to apply for this post.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications

If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information.

AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and could negatively impact on your chances of success in the application process.

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Supporting Information

The supporting information section is an opportunity for you to showcase how your qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience align with the requirements and criteria outlined in the job description and person specification.

Recruiting managers score applications based on the criteria listed in the person specification. They will be looking for evidence of how you meet these criteria. To increase your chances of securing an interview, please provide examples of how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real-life situations. Share work-related successes and challenges you have navigated that align with the criteria. These could be from various aspects of your life, including work, education, and personal experiences.

Consider structuring your supporting information section with clear headings or bullet points. This approach will help both you and the recruiting manager navigate through your application more effectively.

Young People

Please note: a young person must be in part-time education or training until they’re 18. If you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role.

Disclosure and Barring Service checks

If the role you’ve applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40, Standard DBS check £26.40, Enhanced DBS check £54.40 and Enhanced DBS check with Barred List(s) £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check. DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here.

In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working.

NO UNSOLICITED ADVERTISING COMPANY APPROACHES

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Person specification

Qualifications & Education

Essential criteria

NVQ Level 4 or equivalent or experience of working in an Payroll environment

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

Extensive knowledge of pay procedures and statutory legislation and experience of working in a payroll department
Working knowledge of payroll screens and transfer facilities within the H.R. system.
Understanding of security and Health and safety issues.
Comprehensive knowledge of computer input and the use of spreadsheets.

Desirable criteria

Comprehensive knowledge of NHS conditions and pay procedures including the appropriate application of relevant statutory legislation.
Previous experience and ability to use ESR payroll system.
Experience and knowledge of NHS Pension rules and regulations.