Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
We are seeking a motivated, dynamic and pragmatic individual as our Trust's competent person on all matters relating to Fire Safety. The post holder will ensure that the Trust complies with Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) legislation and will work closely with all relevant parties within the Trust's hospital and community premises externally to ensure the provision of a fire safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors and to facilitate sustained care and well-being.
By the provision of competent advice, assist the Trust Board, Director of Estates and Facilities and the Trust in providing and maintaining levels of fire precaution within Trust premises in line with NHS Health Technical Memorandum Fire Code suite of documents requirements, and maintaining good relationships with the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service.
You will be part of a high-skilled, professional health and safety team that forms an integral part of the Trust's Estates and Facilities Division. Developing and maintaining an open and transparent Fire Safety Management System, the post holder will be able to provide assurance through the Head of Health & Safety and Fire Safety to the Director of Estates and Facilities and the wider Trust Board on matters relating to Fire Safety.
Main duties of the job
1. Review and improve the Trust's fire policies and contribute to the development, maintenance, and implementation of robust and effective fire safety protocols, procedures, and action plans.
2. Provide expert fire safety advice to the Trust's Capital Planning / Estates Management teams.
3. Work with all members of the Trust to ensure a safe and healthy environment (fire) for the Trust to meet its responsibilities under the Health and Social Care (H&SC) Act 2008 and to meet the standards of the Code of Practice, which encompasses the H&SC Act; Regulation 12 Safe Treatment and Care and Regulation 15 Premises and Equipment.
4. Provide and receive complex information regarding fire safety legislation, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, NHS HTMs and other associated fire guidance for the benefit of the Trust.
5. Undertake fire risk assessments across all Trust sites; disseminate significant findings and produce and monitor an effective action plan as necessary in line with current legislation and guidance.
6. Formulate, approve and deliver programs of fire safety training to all staff to meet statutory and mandatory requirements.
7. Liaise with planning teams, local building control and fire authorities in the specification of fire precautions in new and existing premises.
8. You will be required to attend external training courses and CPD seminars to supplement and enhance your knowledge to ensure that you are aware of the latest developments in Fire Safety.
About us
Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch, and Worcester.
Our workforce is over 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Our objectives are simple:
* Best services for local people
* Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
* Best use of resources
* Best people
Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services, and our role in the wider health and care system.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
Job responsibilities
1. Support in line with HTM05:01 fire safety management structure Fire Safety Advisors.
2. Review and improve the Trust's fire policies and contribute to the development, maintenance, and implementation of robust and effective fire safety protocols, procedures, and action plans.
3. Provide expert fire safety advice to the Trust's Capital Planning / Estates Management teams.
4. Work with all members of the Trust to ensure a safe and healthy environment (fire) for the Trust to meet its responsibilities under the Health and Social Care (H&SC) Act 2008 and to meet the standards of the Code of Practice, which encompasses the H&SC Act; Regulation 12 Safe Treatment and Care and Regulation 15 Premises and Equipment.
5. Provide and receive complex information regarding fire safety legislation, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, NHS HTMs, and other associated fire guidance for the benefit of the Trust.
6. Undertake fire risk assessments across all Trust sites; disseminate significant findings and produce and monitor an effective action plan as necessary in line with current legislation and guidance.
7. Formulate, approve and deliver programs of fire safety training to all staff to meet statutory and mandatory requirements.
8. Support the Head of Health & Safety and Fire Safety in developing the implementation of service changes and formulation of governance and assurance procedures, such as Trust committees and reports, to ensure Trust compliance with statutory and mandatory requirements.
9. Liaise with the Emergency Planning and Trust representatives, as well as external organisations to develop, implement and review the organisation's fire emergency plan.
10. Know the limits of your capabilities and when necessary, seek specialist advice from the Trust Authorising Engineer (Fire).
11. Advise and assist the Head of H&S and Fire Safety in the interpretation of current and future government legislation, NHS Firecode suite of documents, and other official guidance in respect of fire safety in NHS premises.
12. Carry out safety audits with other members of staff and contribute to periodic authoritative reports to management concerning the condition of fire precautions in the Trust premises.
13. Assist and support the Fire/Security and Health and Safety department.
14. Identify and assess fire risks in Trust premises and assist with reports to management recommending prioritised actions in respect of fire safety improvements.
15. Liaise with planning teams, local building control, and fire authorities in the specification of fire precautions in new and existing premises.
16. Manage and supervise adequate provision, location, and effective maintenance of all fire safety equipment.
17. Investigate fires occurring in Trust premises in conjunction with the local fire and police authorities and ensure that fire reports are prepared and forwarded.
18. Share responsibility with the Head of Health & Safety and Fire Safety in liaison with the Estates Department to ensure that contractors working on Trust premises take effective steps to ensure that their activities do not subvert fire precautions in existing premises.
19. Undertake the training of staff in fire safety and evacuation training and record the relevant data for subsequent reports to relevant Groups or Committees.
20. Manage and oversee the training schedules of fire wardens and the Hospital Fire teams and identify their training needs.
21. Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the post as may be required by the Trust Management Team.
22. Coordinate and assist the Head of H&S and Fire Safety to compile Estates Return Information.
23. Act on the issue of any NHS Estates Alerts which may affect the fire safety of the Trust premises.
24. Carry out DATIX report for fire-related incidents in conjunction with the Trust's DATIX system.
Improving Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment:
As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action is being taken and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as specified in the person specification for this role.
Applicants will be prompted in the application form to declare if they wish to be considered under this expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme, and their response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.
If you have any queries about the expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please contact Rob Saunders (HR Manager - Recruitment) in confidence via email robert.saunders1@nhs.net
Person Specification
Experience
* Knowledge of The Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order 2005 and HTM 05-02.
* Several years experience in fire safety.
* Experience of preparing and delivering training courses.
* Experience of working across organisational boundaries to improve standards.
* Experience of working with external agencies and influencing internal change.
* Experience and knowledge of undertaking and reviewing fire risk assessments.
* Experience in undertaking fire safety audits and conducting investigations.
* Collecting complex information with the ability to analyse data.
* Previous experience in planning for major incidents, risk reduction for health prevention.
* In-depth knowledge of NHS Guidance.
* Knowledge of fire safety management and security management.
Personal Qualities
* Leads by example.
* Well-developed written and oral communication skills.
* Contributing to management reviews.
* Professional personal presentation and manner.
* Positive attitude and flexible approach.
* Must lead, drive health department forward, work flexibly, liaise with health service colleagues and Trust partners.
* Leadership, sets standards for others to follow.
* Personal drive to succeed.
* Aspirational.
* Empathy.
* Personal belief towards continuous improvement.
Qualifications
* Fire Safety background with evidence of healthcare experience.
* Science- or engineering-based degree education; and/or extensive experience of fire safety to master's level.
* Certificate in Training Practice or extensive experience of preparing and delivering training.
* Membership of a professional organisation (e.g., the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE); the Institute of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO)).
* Member of National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers.
* Professional Training Certification.
* Fire engineering/fire safety degree or other relevant academic qualification.
* Professional qualification in a fire-related subject.
* Registered as a fire risk assessor with a recognised accreditation body.
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 name
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
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