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Hybrid Service Administrator – Role Overview
The National Autistic Society is seeking an organized and empathetic Service Administrator to join the team supporting the renowned Diagnostic and Assessment Service based at the Lorna Wing Centre in Bromley.
Positioned within a flexible hybrid working setup, this part-time role serves as an essential operational connection between clinical teams, individuals, and families. You will take ownership of daily administrative functions—managing service inquiries, processing diagnostic referrals, scheduling clinical assessments, and coordinating report delivery with a commitment to high-quality customer care.
| Organization | National Autistic Society |
| Job Type | Full-time |
| Location | Hull, United Kingdom |
| Age Limit | N/A |
Key Role Details
- Organization: National Autistic Society
- Service Unit: Diagnostic and Assessment Service (Lorna Wing Centre, Bromley)
- Contract & Working Model: Part-Time | Hybrid (blending home-based work with center-based collaboration)
Primary Responsibilities
- Referral & Inquiries Management: Triage incoming diagnostic inquiries and process incoming referrals efficiently and sensitively.
- Assessment & Calendar Scheduling: Coordinate clinical appointment bookings and maintain clinical calendars to optimize assessment schedules.
- Records & Report Coordination: Manage confidential electronic records, organize diagnostic reports, and ensure accurate document distribution to families and clinicians.
- Family & Clinician Liaison: Act as a compassionate first point of contact for families navigating the assessment pathway and support clinicians with essential daily administrative tasks.
About Us
The National Autistic Society is the UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families. Since 1962, we have been providing support, guidance, and pioneering services, as well as campaigning for a fairer society for autistic people. The Lorna Wing Centre holds a historical and world-class reputation in the field of autism diagnosis and assessment, pioneering holistic and person-centered clinical practices. We foster a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work culture dedicated to respect, empathy, and service excellence.
Website Link: https://www.autism.org.uk/
Career Guide & Key Insights
Administrative roles in specialized diagnostic services require a fine balance of clinical operational rigor, strict confidentiality, and deep interpersonal empathy.
How to Excel as a Diagnostic Service Administrator
- Develop Empathetic Communication: Families contacting a diagnostic service are often navigating complex, emotional, or stressful life journeys. Active listening, patience, and clear, supportive language build trust and ease anxiety.
- Maintain Meticulous Record Hygiene: Diagnostic assessments follow strict legal, clinical, and ethical standards. Ensure data entry, consent tracking, and report handling are accurate and updated in real time.
- Understand the Assessment Workflow: Familiarize yourself with the steps of a diagnostic pathway—from initial referral intake to post-diagnostic report dispatch—so you can answer family inquiries accurately.
Benefits of the Role
- Meaningful Social Impact: Play a direct supporting role in helping families and individuals access vital diagnostic and support services.
- Hybrid Work Flexibility: Enjoy a balanced schedule combining home-based administrative tasks with collaborative, center-based team interactions.
- Prestigious Service Exposure: Work alongside world-class clinical professionals at the Lorna Wing Centre, an internationally recognized pioneer in autism assessment.
- Charity Sector Perks: Access to supportive working environments, specialized training opportunities, and comprehensive staff wellbeing resources.
How to Prepare Your CV for This Position
To present a compelling application to the National Autistic Society, tailor your resume around customer care, data privacy, and administrative organization:
- Highlight Public/Client-Facing Empathy: Explicitly showcase past experience handling sensitive inquiries, phone communications, or customer support within healthcare, charity, or educational settings.
- Emphasize Data Confidentiality & GDPR: Highlight your knowledge of managing confidential medical/personal records and strict adherence to data protection standards.
- Showcase Booking & Scheduling Capabilities: Detail experience using electronic booking software, CRM systems, and MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel).
- Demonstrate Accuracy Under Volume: Use examples to show how you manage high-volume administrative tasks without sacrificing detail or quality.
How to Prepare for an Interview
- Learn About the Lorna Wing Centre: Research the history of the Lorna Wing Centre and understand the importance of specialized autism diagnostic services.
- Reflect on Person-Centered Communication: Practice explaining how you adapt your communication style to accommodate neurodiverse individuals and anxious family members.
- Use the STAR Method: Frame your competency answers using Situation, Task, Action, Result when discussing administrative achievements or customer service challenges.
3 Likely Interview Questions
- Handling Sensitive Family Inquiries: “How would you handle a telephone call from a parent who is feeling anxious or overwhelmed about a long waiting list for their child’s diagnostic assessment?”
- Data Confidentiality & Accuracy: “Diagnostic reports contain highly sensitive personal information. What steps do you take to guarantee 100% accuracy and data privacy when compiling and sending out reports?”
- Managing Hybrid Work Priorities: “In a hybrid environment where you balance home and center-based work, how do you ensure seamless communication with clinicians and manage competing administrative priorities?”
How to Apply
- Visit the NAS Career Portal: Navigate to the official National Autistic Society vacancies page.
- Complete the Online Application: Submit your CV along with a tailored supporting statement outlining your experience in administration, customer service, and alignment with the charity’s values.
- Submit Application: Ensure your application is submitted via the official portal before the listed closing deadline for the Lorna Wing Centre vacancy.
Disclaimer
This job summary, career guide, and interview preparation resource are produced independently for guidance and informational purposes only. Position details, location specifics, and contract terms reflect the listing provided by the National Autistic Society and are subject to change by the employer. The National Autistic Society is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates should verify all specific application details directly through the charity’s official recruitment portal.