Maintenance Assistant

Job responsibilities

Title:Maintenance Assistance

Responsible To:Estates & Facilities Lead

Main Purpose of the Post:

To undertake general caretaking and handyperson duties in Portsdown Group Practice premises, undertaking tasks in line with the job description and practice policies and procedures.

To ensure the completion of caretaking duties and basic maintenance tasks in a timely and efficient manner.

To carry out building maintenance and minor repair work throughout Portsdown Group Practice. To work predominately alone without routine supervision with an emphasis on self-motivation and professional responsibility.

To provide efficient and effective caretaking support to all PGP sites including ensuring that the general appearance of the buildings and surrounding areas are maintained in accordance with the required standards.

To provide day to day support to the Estates and Facilities Lead to ensure that the Practice meets compliance with buildings regulations and Health &Safety etc.

Duties & Responsibilities of the Post:

Main Duties:

• Ensure that the buildings are well maintained, i.e. heating, lighting, ventilation and fire alarms are operational, testing where required and reporting any potential hazards or required repairs using designated procedure and ensure that all corridors, stairs, stairwells and fire exit doors are kept free from obstructions.
• Porterage of confidential records, equipment and supplies
• To assist and direct contractors as and when required and act as Safety Person when required
• Take the lead on PAT Testing (with appropriate training and equipment) and the associated records including all planning and adjustments necessary to facilitate completion of ongoing programmes within the deadlines set.
• Replace lamps, fluorescent tubes and starters not involving disconnecting of electrical circuits and replacement of certain electrical fuses.
• Clearing drains (including rodding of drains), gullies, gutters as required
• Painting and redecoration, such as internal consulting / admin rooms
• Minor Repairs to plumbing systems, i.e. minor copper works, replacing taps, replacement plastic waste systems, tap washer renewal, fixtures to toilet seats
• Unpack parcels and stores items
• To be competent in the use of computers for emails and internet use including recording and logging of results / data to electronic systems
• Request materials for maintenance using request systems and relevant procedures
• Undertake surveys as required by the Estates and Facilities Lead to facilitate further or enhanced maintenance activities.
• Undertake a range of general and specialised cleaning duties, including but not limited to light fittings, extraction fans, fans, window blinds, to remove radiator covers, guards, light fitting diffusers and ventilations grills as necessary to clean, ensure that they are refitted correctly prior to reuse of the room / area
• Use hand/power tools (Corded and cordless drills, power drivers, jet washer, screwdrivers, spanners, socket sets, Allen keys etc.)
• Ensure that grounds, pathways, car parks, entrances are clean and tidy and well maintained; including moving snow, light gritting in the winter months if necessary, both in normal and outside normal working hours when required
• Work at heights using a step ladder or appropriate platform in order to reach light fittings, ventilation grilles and to clean up to and including ceiling levels of rooms.
• Ensure that work is undertaken in a timely manner and that appropriate records are updated through the requisite system such as:
• Meter Readings and Recording
• Fire Alarms Testing
• Legionella/water flushing
• Joinery - First line maintenance of fixtures and fittings, examples: tightening screws on window hinges, maintenance on door handles, minor repairs as a temporary measure after vandalism etc.
• When appropriate, monitor external agencies while working within premises.
• To be able to liaise and co-operate with all levels of staff across the Practice and external contacts such as contractors. This may include providing and receiving routine information in various formats e.g. oral, written, and electronic.
• To learn and utilise new techniques with training as necessary. To undertake such training courses as may be considered necessary for the performance and development of the post
• To hold a full UK driving licence and to drive Portsdown Group Practices transport as required in order to carry out duties, keeping vehicle in a clean usable condition and to undertake daily vehicle checks such as fluid levels, tyres and reporting any faults to line manager.
• To have good communication and interpersonal skills in delivery of information and guidance to staff, patients and clients on an incidental basis for example delivery of new equipment and training in the use of said equipment..
• To report emergencies in the case of faults with gas, electric and water supply to the Estates and Facilities Lead/Operations Manager/ Partner.
• To perform all duties in a safe and proper manner and complying with the Practices Health and Safety policies in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, subsequent and other relevant legislation, and Risk Assessments to ensure safe and proper working environment for self, all Practice employees, outside contractors and members of the public. This includes the use/wearing of personal protective equipment.

Confidentiality:

As per both Government legislation and Practice Policies ensure that all confidentiality, data protection and information governance policies and guidelines are followed and strictly adhered to, reporting any infringements to the Operations Office immediately.

Health & Safety:

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety policy, the practice Health & Safety manual, and the practice Infection Control policy and published procedures. This will include:

• Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
• Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks
• Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
• Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards
• Actively reporting of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised
• Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, assisting in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness consistent with the scope of the job holders role
• Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually)
• Reporting potential risks identified
• Demonstrate due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Reporting potential risks identified.

Equality and Diversity:

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:

• Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Practice procedures and policies, and current legislation.
• Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.

• Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Personal/Professional Development:

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment, such training to include:

• Participation in an annual staff performance review.
• Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

Quality:

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will:

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.
• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision.
• Lead on induction and training of new staff at site
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance.
• Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs.
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication/Information:

The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the practice and management team and will strive to:

• Communicate effectively with other team members.
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers.
• Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Contribution to the Implementation of Services:

The post-holder will:

• Apply practice policies, standards and guidance
• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work
• Participate in audit where appropriate

Any other delegated duties considered appropriate to the post.

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive, but to indicate the main areas of responsibility. It may be changed after consultation with the post holder. The employee shares with the employer the responsibility for review and modification of duties. Suggestions and discussions are welcome.

Policies and Procedures - the duties and responsibilities of the post will be undertaken in accordance with the policies, procedures and practices of the Practice, which may be amended from time to time. You are required to be flexible and the practice reserves the right to alter such fixed hours as may be considered necessary to ensure the surgery runs smoothly.

The business operates between the hours of 0700 2100 hours Monday to Friday (0800 1300 Saturday), with possible requirement for some future evening and weekend working as the business develops.

Qualifications

Essential

• Basic IT skills to include Microsoft packages
• Good level of general education (GCSE or equivalent) education including numeracy and literacy

Desirable

• IOSH working safely

Experience

Essential

• Experience of caretaking/handyperson duties or similar
• Experience of working in a customer focused environment
• Ability to work as part of a team but also capable of working without direct supervision
• Demonstrate experience of managing day to day workload
• To carry out unsupervised building fabric maintenance and minor repair work

Desirable

• Previous NHS experience

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of routine fire alarm testing requirements
• Knowledge of health and safety practices
• Manual handling
• Understanding of heating systems and associated controls

Desirable

• Fire alarm systems
• Working knowledge of health and safety
• Able to work at height
• Customer care
• Portable appliance testing
• COSHH

Skills

Essential

• Demonstrate use of initiative and ability to work effectively without supervision
• Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner
• Good time management and organisational skills
• Ability to prioritise and organise own workload whilst meeting deadlines
• Flexible, adaptable and responsive
• Willingness to adapt and learn new skills
• Demonstrate a flexible approach to change in working arrangements

Other

Essential

• A full UK driving license
• Able to travel between sites
• High standards of personal appearance
• Willing to undertake training
• Willing to work flexible hours when the need arises

Desirable

• Knowledge of Portsmouth and surrounding areas

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).