Health and Safety Practitioner - Health and Safety Service

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for a Health and Safety Practitioner to join our dedicated Health and Safety Service. The post will provide competent advice and guidance to staff and managers regarding Health and Safety and support a strong culture of safety compliance to ensure the best possible safe working environment for staff and our service users.

The successful candidate will provide specialist Health and Safety advice ensuring that the highest health, safety and welfare standards are maintained for staff and service users. In addition, you will ensure that all statutory requirements are complied with in line with policies and guidance.

Applicants should have in-depth knowledge and understanding of health and safety legislation and its practical application enabling them to provide expert advice on all aspects of health and safety within NHS GGC.

Candidates should be educated to the National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) diploma or equivalent and hold or be working towards Chartered Membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Alternatively candidates with degree level qualifications and have or working toward the NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent qualification will also be considered subject to Annex 21 of the NHS Scotland Agenda for Change agreement.

Experience in implementing and auditing Health and Safety Management Systems, relevant training and experience working in highly regulated sectors such as Healthcare is desirable but not essential.

All other roles will be assessed for sponsorship eligibility in line with current Home Office requirements. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) can only issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) where these are met.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

• Location based in Stobhill Hospital
• Permanent Contract
• Full-time position (36 hours per week)
• Shift pattern for this post is dayshift Mon Fri with a flexible blended approach between home and site depending on activity, additionally, a condensed 4-day working week with a rolling day off is also available subject to agreement.

Key Responsibilities

• To work as part of the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Service (SHAW) to develop an effective and efficient advisory service throughout NHSGGC, ensuring safe working practices and the control of hazards resulting in the reduction of risks to the health and safety of staff, patients and visitors
• Provide comprehensive advice on health and safety matters to the Senior Management Team and, as requested, all members of staff.
• To disseminate necessary and relevant information to ensure that managers, staff and staff partners are aware of the implications of current/new legislation, direction or guidance and monitor that actions are being taken to achieve compliance with these.
• To influence Senior Managers to consider health and safety matters when formulating business plans and budgets.
• Development of audit programmes, risk assessment techniques and specialised training packages to ensure that individuals at all levels within the organisation
• are aware of and are meeting their roles and responsibilities for health and safety.
• To ensure the Health and Safety Management System is implemented. This includes the provision of training, support and advice and completion of audits to
• monitor levels of compliance.
• Under legislation, NHSGGC is required to notify the HSE of reportable incidents. The Health & Safety Practitioner shall be responsible for reporting incidents occurring within their service. Additionally, the post holder will fully investigate and document such incidents.
• Contribute to the safe undertaking of construction/refurbishment projects by studying designs, undertaking inspections and assessments of sites and consulting with and the monitoring of contractors.
• The Health & Safety Practitioner will be required to deputise for the Lead Health & Safety Practitioner at agreed meetings and during periods of leave.

Please Refer To The Job Description For Further Details.

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

• Chartered membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is essential or working toward it. This ensures that post holder is a “competent person” as required by legislation. Chartered membership of IOSH represents a tangible and readily understood standard of excellence in Occupational Health & Safety. The chartered status marks out Health & Safety Practitioners at the top of their profession and indicates a commitment to stay there through a programme of continued professional development.
• Qualified to National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) diploma or NVQ level 4 or post-graduate equivalent.
• Auditor training, as a minimum; internal auditor training and experience of leading audits of health and safety management systems
• Experience within a large complex organisation.
• Participate in the IOSH Blueprint to retain Competent Person Status.
• The Health and Safety Practitioner may be expected to undertake training to become a qualified trainer in Conflict Management & De-escalation skills.
• The Health and Safety Practitioner must remain up to date in all aspects of Health and Safety legislation, approved codes of practice and best practice.
• A key element of the post is the preparation and delivery of health and safety training; therefore good presentational skills are required. Writing skills are necessary for the compilation of reports.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, analytical and presentation skills are required and the ability to work under own initiative

What We Offer

Please refer to the job description for further details.

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.

For An Informal Discussion, Please Contact

Allan Hughes Health and Safety Manager - 07432684099 - Allan.Hughes2@nhs.scot

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process:

This post may close early due to the volume of response. Please submit your application form as soon as possible.

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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.

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