About this role
Job summary
Join our Estates team and help create a safe, reliable and welcoming environment where patients, staff and visitors can feel confident.
We're looking for a skilled and motivated Estates Maintenance professional to join our team. This is a hands-on role where your practical expertise, problem-solving skills and attention to detail will make a real difference every day.
Working across Trust facilities, you'll carry out a varied range of routine and moderately complex maintenance activities, including fault finding and diagnosis, repairs and planned preventative maintenance. Working alongside and under the guidance of our Estates Team Leaders and Officers, you'll help keep our buildings, systems and equipment operating safely, efficiently and to a high standard.
This is more than just a maintenance role. The work you do directly supports the delivery of excellent patient care. By keeping our facilities safe, functional and well maintained, you'll play an essential part in creating an environment where our clinical teams can focus on what matters most.
Main duties of the job
What you'll be doing
Carrying out planned, reactive and preventative maintenance across Trust facilities. Diagnosing faults and completing repairs to a high standard. Identifying potential risks and taking proactive action to prevent failures, injuries or damage. Working safely and following Trust policies, safe systems of work, statutory requirements and industry best practice. Supporting the efficient operation and upkeep of buildings, equipment and essential systems. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the Estates team to deliver a responsive and high-quality service. Maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality and the needs of our patients, staff and visitors If you're someone who enjoys solving problems, takes pride in doing a job well and wants to see the real impact of your work, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.
You'll become part of a supportive, skilled and dedicated Estates team, where your contribution is valued and every day brings a new challenge.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description Job responsibilities
Join our Estates team and play a vital role in maintaining a safe, reliable, and high-quality environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
In this hands-on role, you'll carry out a range of routine and moderately complex maintenance tasks, including fault diagnosis, repairs, and planned preventative maintenance across Trust facilities. Working under the guidance of Estates Team Leaders and Officers, you'll help ensure all buildings, systems, and equipment operate efficiently while meeting Trust safety standards, statutory regulations, and best practices.
Safety is at the heart of everything you do. You'll identify and resolve faults, follow safe systems of work, and take proactive steps to prevent risks, injuries, and damage to equipment or property. Your technical skills, attention to detail, and commitment to quality will contribute to delivering an environment that supports exceptional patient care.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys problem-solving, takes pride in delivering high standards, and wants to be part of a supportive team where their work makes a meaningful difference every day.
Job responsibilities:
Key Tasks & Responsibilities:
1. Communication and Team Working:
At all times to carry Trust communication devices to facilitate immediate response to emergencies
To liaise with team leaders regarding plant equipment failures and to request the supply of goods and/or services as necessary
To immediately notify team leaders of any deviation from regulations
To complete all report sheets as and when necessary
2. Planning and organisational Skills:
To work in accordance with the requirements of the Trust on sampling, testing low pressure water systems and steam raising plant performing various tasks
To undertake boiler house duties and regular testing on LPHW and steam raising boiler plant in accordance with relevant Codes Of Practice (COP) and pressure regulations
To participate in a weekend rota for carrying out mandatory steam boiler plant testing of safety systems. The boiler house duties are carried out on a Sunday morning but occasionally will include a bank holiday
To assist the maintenance craftsman in minor works of other trades in the engineering department adopting a flexible and adaptable role in that context
To carry out basic maintenance duties on steam boiler plant after appropriate training as directed
To carry out basic maintenance and cleaning duties of various electrical and mechanical plant in particular lamp replacement, light cleaning, grilles and diffuser cleaning and ventilation systems
To carry out delegated Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) water quality management tasks and emergency lighting testing and repairs in accordance with Estates department procedures and maintenance schedules
To use all relevant tools and equipment within safety guidelines as necessary for the completion of work
To undertake reactive maintenance and PPM on all fire extinguishers in accordance with FETA regulations and to maintain the register of all Trust fire extinguishers and remedial actions
To carry out basic grounds tasks and duties as directed providing suitable training has been provided
Ability to work on own initiative on delegated tasks
Ability to maintain good communication with team leaders and managers resulting from fault finding, planed maintenance and compliance issues
Be prepared to work outside normal hours as the job demands.
The post holder will be required to work 1 weekend day per 5 week period with a day off in lieu the following week
The post holder will be expected to undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade.
3 Managing People and Resources:
To be conversant and qualified to use and maintain all relevant hand and power tools and workshop equipment in a safe and effective manner. To be capable of carrying out a good standard of workmanship
Provide advice and support to the other members of the team and other colleagues.
Maintain competencies and advise Team Leaders and Managers when additional support is required.
4. Training:
To undertake training as required in order to be able to carry out the services to provide efficient running of the department and to obtain new skills/techniques
To acquire a good understanding of Health & Safety Policy and Safe Working in relation to Estates Operations and Maintenance Procedures.
To attend mandatory and other appropriate training and development courses as identified in the PDP/Appraisal process in order to provide a high-quality service which will include: Manual Handling Training, Fire Training, Safe Use of Grass Cutting Machinery
5. Policies and Procedures
To work with and follow all safety guidelines at all times whilst working on Estates plant and equipment.
To work in hazardous areas taking all necessary safety measures to prevent danger, avoid injury and prevent damage to equipment
To comply with all current standards and statutory regulations including Health and Safety at Work Act, IEE Wiring Regulations, Electrical Testing and Inspection Regulations, COSHH etc
To ensure that all policies and procedures laid down by the Trust are strictly complied with
To be aware of risk assessments/ method statements in respect of the task being carried out and any associated COSHH requirements
Manage work within the constraints of Estates policy, such as confined space, medical gas, working at heights etc
To conform with Trust Major Incident Policy
To actively participate in the operation of the Estates labour control scheme by working within the scheme including the completion of all paperwork required (including completion of all job dockets, timesheets etc)
To participate in regular team briefings
To participate in the Trust appraisal system and personal development planning
To maintain estates records on various engineering tasks undertaken by the post holder. In the absence of certain records be able to devise and maintain any new records as and when required to do so.
Any other duties as delegated by the Estates Manager or his delegated Estates Officer.
The job description may be subject to change following discussion with the post holder.
Person specification
Requirements
Essential
Desirable
Evidence
Education and qualifications
GCSE English and Maths or equivalent
Full manual driving licence
NVQ / Level 2 in a mechanical, electrical engineering or building discipline
BAFE certified fire equipment maintenance technician
Water Quality Management certified
Experience and knowledge
Previous experience within a maintenance role
Able to work independently or as part of a team
To have a sound knowledge and understanding of other building trades
Experience of working in an Acute Hospital Environment
Application Form/Interview
Skills and abilities
Good organisational skills and the ability to plan effectively and efficiently
Ability to address and develop solutions to problems
Strong communication skills for effective working relationships throughout the organisation
Good IT skills
Ability to follow written instructions and procedures
High standard of workmanship and completion on all jobs undertaken
Disciplined approach to schedules and tasks.
Ability to work on own initiative
Full manual driving licence
Application Form/Interview/References
Personal qualities
Ability to travel to other sites as and when required
Ability to cope with demanding and stressful scenarios
Proven track record of reliability, punctuality and trustworthiness.
Professional appearance appropriate to front of house role.
Flexible approach to working hours/duties
Ability to work at height using access from
ladders/scaffold
Ability to work in confined spaces
Ability and willingness to undertake Emergency
Situations repairs
Person Specification
Education & Qualification Essential
GCSE English and Maths or equivalent NVQ / Level 2 in a mechanical, electrical engineering or building discipline
Desirable
BAFE certified fire equipment maintenance technician Water Quality Management certified
Experience & Knowledge Essential
Previous experience within a maintenance role Able to work independently or as part of a team To have a sound knowledge and understanding of other building trades
Desirable
Experience of working in an Acute Hospital Environment
Skills & Abilities Essential
Good organisational skills and the ability to plan effectively and efficiently Ability to address and develop solutions to problems Strong communication skills for effective working relationships throughout the organisation Good IT skills Ability to follow written instructions and procedures High standard of workmanship and completion on all jobs undertaken Disciplined approach to schedules and tasks.
Persona qualities Essential
Ability to travel to other sites as and when required Ability to cope with demanding and stressful scenarios Flexible approach to working hours/duties Ability to work at height using access from ladders/scaffold Ability to work in confined spaces Ability and willingness to undertake Emergency Situations repairs
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP332QZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)