About this role
Job summary
Previous applicants need not apply
Build your future while helping maintain vital NHS spaces.We're looking for a skilled and reliable Builder to join our Estates Minor Works team.
This is a hands-on role supporting the maintenance, repair, and improvement of buildings and infrastructure across NHS sites, helping ensure safe, high-quality environments for patients, staff, and visitors.
You'll carry out a range of general building tasks including repairs, alterations, and small project works. From patching and plastering to basic joinery, brickwork, and finishing.
You'll deliver work to a high standard while meeting strict safety and compliance requirements within healthcare settings.
Working as part of an experienced and supportive team, you'll contribute to planned and reactive works, using your practical skills and problem-solving ability to complete jobs efficiently and safely. You'll also liaise with colleagues and supervisors to ensure work is completed with minimal disruption to clinical services.
We're looking for someone with proven building experience, a good understanding of maintenance practices, and a proactive, can-do attitude.
A commitment to quality, safety, and teamwork is essential.In return, you'll benefit from a stable role, ongoing training opportunities, and the chance to build a long-term career within the NHS.
If you're ready to make a real impact and take pride in your work, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
Undertake minor repair works and general maintenance activities as directed by team leader. To have an understanding of the relationship of other craftsperson's work to his own, and to communicate with other craftsmen and to participate in team meetings. Using building knowledge and experience to liaise with and to advise external contractors. At all times to carry Trust communication devices (pager/radio) to facilitate immediate response to emergency calls when on duty To interpret and work from all instructions, drawings and specification appropriate to his trade, without supervision. To complete construction work on Trust capital and minor works projects as directed Periodic inspection to all fire doors, panic bars and other items as directed by their supervisor under the Planned Preventive Maintenance programme. For ensuring the cleanliness of the workplace, ensuring all surplus materials are removed from the area of work on completion of job, ensuring security of tools and materials at all times.
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
Please see the full job description and person specification attached for more details on the job role.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications Essential
Recognised trade apprenticeship or level 2 City & Guilds Craft Certificates or equivalent Good general education
Desirable
Level 3 City & Guilds craft certificates or equivalent
Experience & Knowledge Essential
To have previous experience of working within a large industrial/ commercial environment To have previous experience working within building trades
Desirable
Experience of working in an acute hospital environment To be competent person on safe use of mobile access platforms, to be a qualified competent person in the safe operation of workshop tools
Skills & Abilities Essential
Good organisational skills and ability to address and develop solutions to problems Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team Organised approach to work Basic IT skills Evidence of good written and spoken communication skills Ability to follow written instructions and procedures Able to read and interpret building plans and drawings High standard of workmanship and high quality completion on all work undertaken
Personal qualities Essential
Ability to cope with demanding and stressful scenarios Dedicated and committed team member Flexible approach to working duties/hours who can cope with new and changing demands Good attention to detail Approachable and tactful Ability to work at height using access from ladders and scaffold Ability to work in confined spaces
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
IP33 2QZ
Employer's website https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)