Health and Safety Officer

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Join our team and play a key role in creating and maintaining a safe environment for patients, staff, visitors and contractors across one of London's leading NHS Trusts.

As one of the Trust's appointed competent health and safety advisers, you will support compliance with health and safety legislation, promote a positive safety culture and contribute to continuous improvement across all Trust sites.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing specialist health and safety advice and guidance to managers and staff across the Trust.
• Undertaking audits, inspections and risk assessments to support compliance and assurance.
• Supporting the investigation of incidents, identifying learning and recommending improvements.
• Developing, reviewing and implementing health and safety policies, procedures and guidance.
• Delivering health and safety training and awareness programmes.
• Supporting the Trust's respiratory protective equipment and fit testing programme.
• Monitoring health and safety performance and preparing reports for committees and senior leaders.
• Working with clinical and non-clinical teams to identify, assess and manage risks.
• Promoting a proactive and positive health and safety culture across the organisation.

Please read the full Job Description and Person Specification for detailed information about the role and essential requirements.

Person specification

Education and qualifications

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of current health and safety legislation and guidance which is updated through continued professional development.
• A Health and Safety expert either through formal qualification (diploma/degree) and/or extensive experience pertinent to the area
• NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent Health & Safety qualification / NVQ Level 6) in Occupational Health & Safety.
• Certified member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) or equivalent

Desirable criteria

• Fit Testing Training - Fit2Fit or equivalent
• Master's Degree in Occupational Health and Safety

Experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive experience from working in a similar Health and Safety management role.
• Extensive experience in overseeing and conducting accident investigations and implementing and communicating risk mitigation control measures.
• Experience in reporting directly to Board-level groups/ Directors within an NHS Trust on all areas of non-clinical risk compliance.
• Well-developed people management skills
• Evidence of initiating and managing change and implementing projects.
• Knowledge and experience of managing and training in a wide range of Respiratory Protective Equipment such as FFP3 masks (different makes and models) and Powered Air Purifying Respirators

Skills and knowledge

Essential criteria

• Ability to interpret new guidance and legislation and disseminate key facts and information
• To be the expert on health and safety and act as the Trust's nominated Competent Person for Health and Safety.
• Experienced in the use of Risk Management techniques and processes
• Knowledge and experience of the Premises Assurance Model requirements including audit and monitoring levels of compliance
• Computer literate and knowledge of databases

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of CQC requirements for Risk Management & Health and Safety.
• Knowledge of other public sector environments

Important

• There may be some occasions when we have to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date, this will be due to a high volume of applications. You are therefore advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please check your emails regularly (and your junk folder) as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process.
• In submitting an application, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process, should you be appointed to the post.
• During the recruitment process your identity documentation (ie passport, driving licence, visa etc) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, infrared and machine-readable zone security features of the documents provided.
• Employment at the Trust is offered subject to successful completion of a six month probationary period.
• Some roles may require weekend shift working across multiple sites
• We operate a joint recruitment hub across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative Group. As part of this, your application and personal data may be shared with partner trusts within the group for recruitment and workforce purposes, in line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Right to work

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on