Editorial article - Hampshire Chronicle 6 March, 2008

As well as supplying office support staff to businesses in and around Winchester, White Knight Recruitment have specialised in providing temporary medical secretarial staff for the National Health Service and private hospitals in Southampton, Winchester and Basingstoke since 1989.

They are an NHS PASA national framework contractor, supplying all areas of temporary administrative and clerical staff to NHS organisations.

Medical secretarial assignments usually involve working in a hospital environment and carrying out secretarial and/or typing duties for a hospital consultant and their team.

It is extremely rewarding, interesting and varied work in unique environments, working with doctors and medical staff.

Most administrative and clerical assignments usually involve working in either the Hampshire Primary Care Trust or Hampshire Partnership Trust, although the agency is now getting many assignments at the Southampton General Hospital and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, which is in Winchester.

These roles include receptionists, administrators, clerical officers, secretaries and personal assistants.

Currently, the NHS trusts have a high requirement for temporary staff and White Knight is endeavouring to attract staff with the right skills and attitude into this important area of work.

If you are looking for temporary work, then medical-related employment can offer more continuity and more flexibility than commercial-based work and it is ultimately extremely rewarding for those wishing to ‘give something back’.

Many bookings are ongoing assignments which the trusts themselves are hoping to be able to fill permanently.

The agency says it has developed an “excellent reputation” for supplying experienced medical secretaries and medical typists.

It has also found that medical students wishing to gain some extra experience during their vacations make excellent temporary employees for the NHS.

There is also a need for administration and secretaries/PAs working in the management of the NHS.

We have had an update from Rachel and thought those that knew her would be interested to hear… ”
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I’m just taking this opportunity to introduce myself as the new girl on the block.  I joined White Knight at the beginning of January as a Recruitment Consultant - a very exciting way to start 2008 - and will be working with Colleen booking both NHS Admin & Clerical and Commercial temporary staff and also assisting Richard with permanent placements.  It’s going to be a steep learning curve for me, but I’m looking forward to the challenge!

White Knight Recruitment has decided that this Christmas, instead of spending money on cards and gifts for clients and temporary workers, they will donate their entire Christmas fund to the children’s wards at the Southampton General and the Royal Hampshire County Hospitals.

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As well as supplying Office Support staff to businesses in and around Winchester, White Knight have specialised in supplying temporary medical secretarial staff to the NHS and private hospitals in Southampton, Winchester and Basingstoke since 1989.  Recently, we were awarded a place on the NHS PASA National Framework Contract to supply all areas of temporary administrative and clerical staff to the NHS organisations in the region.

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Over forty people that have worked through White Knight Recruitment received a pleasant surprise last week.  They all received a payment that many of them hadn’t realised was due to them.

By law, every candidate who works on a temporary basis is entitled to a separate amount of money for ‘Holiday Pay’.  Many temporary workers aren’t aware of this law and don’t claim it or simply forget to do so.

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Last Wednesday Davina and Ruth each attended a REC (Recruitment & Employment Confederation) training course.These courses provide an excellent way to update ourselves with new legislation, to meet other Recruiters, and learn new skills.  We both came out feeling more motivated and full of fresh new ideas to share with the rest of the team.

With such a large choice of Recruitment Agencies now available, often the one thing that differentiates us from the rest, is our staff.  By regularly attending training courses, we are constantly improving our skills, enabling us to offer the best possible service to both our Clients and our Candidates.

At this time of year White Knight are approached by University students looking for office-based work during the holidays.  With such large numbers available for summer work, we are able to hand pick those that stand out in terms of personal presentation, telephone manner and even letters of introduction and CV layout. 

Candidates that approach us either in person, by phone or online are assessed initially on all of the above and may then be invited in for registration.  At the point of registration we are looking for those with excellent written and interpersonal skills, good attention to detail and a willingness to be flexible in their approach to work.

It is not always possible to register everyone immediately, but those that are proactive earlier in the summer months have the best chance of securing themselves work, so it is worth making an extra effort to ensure you are remembered.