STRATHCARRON HOSPICE
General Maintenance Assistant
Full-Time
37.5 Hours per week
Permanent
Additional cover
1 in 3 weekend cover, 16.00-18.00
1 in 3, 1 week on call out of hours cover, 0800-0800 (Mon –Mon)
Salary: £16,660 - £19,627 per annum +
Additional on call payment
Ref No 1502239
A vacancy has arisen for a General Maintenance Assistant to join our existing
team. You will undertake or assist with the general repair and maintenance
work throughout the Hospice and Hospice Shops.
Practical experience of all types of mechanical, electrical and plumbing works
with experience of multi skilled working and a recognised qualification is
desirable as well as the proven ability to work as part of a team coupled with
the ability to communicate with multi disciplinary staff is required. A current
clean driver’s licence is essential.
The post is subject to a check by the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme.
For further information, please contact Billy Andrew, Director of Operations on
01324 826222
Application forms and job descriptions are available by contacting Nicola
Griffin, HR Co-ordinator on 01324 826222 or email nicola.griffin4@nhs.net
Closing Date:
8th March 2015
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STRATHCARRON HOSPICE
JOB DESCRIPTION
1.
JOB DETAILS
Job Title:
Maintenance Assistant
Responsible to:
Director of Operations
Reports to:
Maintenance Supervisor
Department:
Maintenance
Job Holder Reference:
No. of Job Holders:
2.
2
JOB PURPOSE
The jobholder as directed by the Maintenance Supervisor has
responsibility for providing general maintenance support to all areas of
the Hospice, playing their part in ensuring the delivery of high quality
care both within the Hospice and in the Community.
3.
DIMENSIONS

Working as part of a team to work safely and effectively in
maintaining and improving the Hospice environment.

To comply with Departmental and Hospice Health & Safety and
COSHH standards and use appropriate protective personal
equipment at all times.

To participate in the compliance and monitoring of Maintenance
Department risk assessment and method statement procedures
when required and to implement changes as directed.

Provide first line maintenance support including following of
preventative maintenance programme for the Hospice, buildings,
grounds and vehicles.

Provide portering services within the Hospice as required.

Provide driving support to all Departments within the Hospice
utilising the Hospice vehicles.
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
c)
Train for further duties, which may be needed within the Hospice to
ensure that continuity of service is maintained during periods of staff
absence.
To provide first line maintenance as follows:
 Carry out a daily check of lighting within the Hospice and
replacing bulbs as required and ensure adequate stocks
are held.
 Carry out simple repairs on electrical beds/easy rise
chairs/TV’s and aerials. If repair is beyond capability
report to Maintenance Supervisor.
 Carry out basic tests on any electrical equipment taken
into use within the Hospice. Ensuring that it meets
portable electrical equipment testing standards.
 On a daily basis carry out routine safety checks on vehicles
ensuring that there is adequate fuel for anticipated tasks
within that day and that the vehicles are road worthy.
 Assist in undertaking designated daily, weekly, monthly
and annual maintenance checks on designated systems
and plant rooms
 Carry out non-specialist joinery, plumbing and electrical
repairs within the Hospice.
Provide Portering Support as follows:

Waste Disposal:o
o
Centralisation of clinical waste for daily collection.
Collection of non-clinical waste and the delivery of
such to collection area.

Movement of heavy furniture and stores within the
Hospice.

Centralisation delivery of contract laundry bags.

Daily cleanliness sweep of Hospice exterior and grounds.

During the winter months ensuring that paths and
driveways are kept clear of snow and are treated with salt.

The reception and storage of bulky items.
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
Piped Gas:– Ensure that the piped gas system is checked
at regular intervals and if required oxygen cylinders are
replaced. Also ensure that an adequate level of oxygen
reserves are held within the Hospice and that the
maintenance supervisor is informed of the need to reorder.
 Anticipated tasks within that day and that the vehicles are
road worthy.
 Assist in undertaking designated daily, weekly, monthly
and annual maintenance checks on designated systems
and plant rooms
 Carry out non-specialist joinery, plumbing and electrical
repairs within the Hospice.
4.
KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
a)
Provide support to the various Departments as
Follows :
In-Patient Unit

Deliver specimens to lab.

Collect and deliver blood.

Collect and deliver urgent pharmaceutical supplies.

Where appropriate transport accompanied patients to
Hospitals for appointments.
Home Care Department

Deliver and collect short term Hospice loan equipment to
and from patients houses.

Install and check functioning of loan equipment.

Instruct/family carers on the operational use of the
Hospice loan equipment.
Day Care Department

Support Day Care by providing transport for patients to
and from their home if no volunteer driver available for the
min-bus.
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Hospice Shops

Provide first line maintenance support including following
of preventative maintenance programmes for hospice
shops.

Delivery and uplift of stock and equipment to hospice
shops as required

Accurate completion of relevant maintenance, vehicle and
stock movement documentation
Fundraising Department

Provide portering support for all fundraising events as
required

Attend and Participate in the transportation
up/dismantling of equipment and resources
external events

Uplift, deliver and return relevant fundraising materials
to designated locations as required
set
for
Weekend Duties

Undertake designated maintenance system checks

Undertake designated portering duties

Medical gas manifold check and changeover of medical
gas bottles as required

Check maintenance books for emergency work

Check light bulbs in all areas

Uplift and dispose of clinical and domestic waste from
site

Undertaking snow clearing and gritting of external
areas as required
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On call Duties
6.

To act as an out of hours point of contact providing
technical advice on maintenance issues for main
hospice building and retail units

When authorised by the hospice duty manager or
senior management team attend the main hospice
or relevant retail unit to undertake or facilitate
appropriate repairs to the fabric or systems within
the building

When authorised by the hospice duty manager or
senior management team attend patient homes in
the community to make appropriate repairs or
replace existing homecare equipment
SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
Specialised:








Motor vehicles
Fire/security alarms
Boiler system
Piped medical gases
Vacuum system
Electric beds/chairs
Hoists
Nurse call system.
Generic:






7.
Hospice water supply
Hospice electrical circuits
Power/hand held tools required to carry out maintenance tasks
Pressure washing equipment
Garden equipment
Drain rods and drain cleaning equipment.
ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK

Plan and organise time to ensure efficient maintenance back up to
Departments within Hospice.

Adjust timing and priority of workload to meet the diverse
demands of Hospice Departments. If in doubt the Maintenance
Supervisor should be consulted over the priority of tasks.
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8.
9.
10.
DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS

Decision making within agreed limits.

Occasional judgement involving serviceability of equipment and
suitability for use within the Hospice and patients’ homes.
MOST CHALLENGING PART OF JOB

Multi-tasking and maintaining quality administrative support.

Balancing conflicting priorities, often under tight time constraints.
COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Internal:

Receipt of instructions and reporting of progress on faults/repairs
to all Departments within Hospice.
External:


11.
Dealing with stores and suppliers.
Dealing with members of patients’ families with regard to loan
equipment and instructing them on it’s safe use.
PHYSICAL / MENTAL / EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
DEMANDS OF THE JOB


Physical Demands
o
Frequently called upon to deal with heavy and awkward
equipment/stores.
o
Driving up to four hours per day.
o
Occasional strenuous physical activity within grounds.
o
Delivery of equipment to patient’s homes often involving
stairs and working in confined spaces.
Mental Demands
o
Work pattern often
working hours.
unpredictable
however,
consistent
o
Frequent interruptions due to interactions with Hospice
Departments, all of which have their own priorities
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

Emotional Demands
o
Direct exposure to distressing or emotional demands when
delivering equipment to the home of terminally ill patients.
o
Weekly direct exposure to distressing and emotional
demands when transporting terminally ill patients.
Environmental Demands
o
12.
environments
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
TO DO THE JOB





13.
Variety of working temperatures and
constantly changing throughout the day.
Clean driving licence.
Sound working knowledge of basic electrical, plumbing and joinery
systems and techniques.
Excellent communication skills
Proven ability to work as part of a team
Proven experience within the electrical, mechanical or building
trades and a relevant City & Guilds or SVQ qualification.
JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
Job Holder’s Signature:
Date:
Head of Department Signature
Date:
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STRATHCARRON HOSPICE
Terms and Conditions: The terms and conditions of service are those laid
down in line with the Whitley Council terms and
conditions.
Location:
Strathcarron Hospice.
Salary Scale:
Band 3, £16,660- £19,627 per annum
Staff taking up a new appointment with Strathcarron
Hospice will normally enter the scale at the minimum
of the pay band/range. Any appointment above the
lowest point of the pay band/range will be subject to
verification of previous NHS/Hospice services or
experience outside the NHS/Hospice, which is given in
recognition of relevant complete years of experience.
Hours:
Full time 37.5 hrs per week
Employees may be required to vary the pattern of their
working week subject to the exigencies of the service.
Duration:
Permanent.
Annual Leave:
27 days rising to 29 days after 5 years service and to
33 days after 10 years service plus 8 public holidays
(pro rata).
Or
202.5 hours rising to 217.5 hours after 5 years service
and to 247.5 hours after 10 years service plus 60
hours public holiday (pro-rata)
Sick Leave & Pay:
In accordance with Strathcarron Hospice provisions
Superannuation:
This post is superannuable under The Falkirk Council
Local Government Superannuation Scheme and your
remuneration will be subject to deduction unless you
choose to opt out of the scheme.
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Right to work in the UK:
Strathcarron Hospice has an obligation to ensure it
does not employ any worker who has not been granted
the relevant permission to work in the UK. This
permission is without exception granted by the UK
Border Agency. We are required to check the
entitlement to work in the UK for all prospective
employees, regardless of nationality or job category
Pre-employment Health Assessment:
No appointment can be confirmed until a satisfactory
medical examination has been undergone.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme
(if applicable):
From 28th February 2011 the Scottish Government
introduced a new membership scheme to replace and
improve upon current disclosure arrangements for
people who work with vulnerable groups. If the duties
of this post involve regulated work with children and
young people and/or protected adults, the successful
candidate will require to be a member of the PVG
Scheme and consent to Strathcarron Hospice obtaining
a Scheme Record or a Scheme Record Update, if they
are already a member of the Scheme. More information
of the PVG Scheme can be found at
www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
Police Act Disclosure Check
(if applicable):
If the duties of this post require the declaration and
validation of criminal convictions, the successful
candidate will be required to complete a standard or
enhanced Police Act Disclosure Scotland check prior to
any offer of appointment being made. In the event of
employment, any failure to disclose such convictions
could result in the withdrawal of any offer, disciplinary
action or dismissal by Strathcarron Hospice.
Confidentiality:
In the course of your duties you may have access to
confidential information concerning patients or staff.
Unauthorized disclosure or removal of information may
lead to consideration of disciplinary action.
Equality in Employment:
Strathcarron Hospice fully supports the principle of
equality in employment and opposes all forms of
unlawful and / or unfair discrimination which cannot
be shown to be justified. Strathcarron Hospice is
committed to ensuring equality of treatment for both
present and potential employees.
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Tobacco Policy:
In line with Strathcarron Hospice’s tobacco policy,
Strathcarron Hospice is a smoke free environment. This
means that smoking will not be permitted by staff
anywhere within the Hospice premises including
residences and grounds
Health & Safety:
All employees have a responsibility for their own
health & safety and the health & safety of others who
may be affected by what they do. Employees also have
a duty to co-operate with their employer by following
Strathcarron Hospice policies and procedures and safe
systems of work; by using equipment safely and by
bringing any shortcomings in health and safety
arrangements to the attention of their employer.
Where something is provided in the interests of health
& safety employees must not interfere or misuse it. All
employees have a legal responsibility to report any
shortcomings in terms of this in their area. Managers
and supervisors have a responsibility for monitoring
health & safety arrangements and ensuring staff are
following policies and procedures and safe systems of
work.
Partnership Agreement:
Contributing to the development of partnership
working by: supporting Strathcarron Hospice in
delivering its goals and objectives; supporting
continuous improvement in own performance and the
performance of the department, directorate and
Strathcarron Hospice; attending training, development
and other activities aimed at improving own skills and
for the benefit of the organisation and patient care.
Completed application forms should be returned to:
Nicola Griffin
HR Co-ordinator
Strathcarron Hospice
Randolph Hill
Denny
FK6 5HJ
Ref No:
1502239
Closing Date:
8 March 2015
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