Gardener / Groundsman

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities:

For Financial Resources None Directly. Overall indirect responsibility to avoid loss or wastage of any resources.

For Equipment Responsible for reporting losses, damage and breakages to Senior Gardener. Responsible for the secure use and storage of tools / equipment. The accurate setting-up and adjustment of complex machinery is a feature of the job.

For Materials Responsible for reporting losses, spillages, leakage, breakage and damage to the Senior Gardener. The accurate calibration of applicators and use of chemicals and fertilisers is a feature of the job.

For Contract with People

Internal Daily regular contact with members of the Gardens Department Team, ward staff and other disciplines..

External Contact with garden supplies representatives, advisors, and visiting sports facility users. Directing professional visitors to appropriate locations.

Patients There will be regular contact with patients. Minimal contact with patients relatives.

For Security Keys When working on secure sites, all garden staff must take responsibility for security keys issued to access departments, wards and other secure areas.

Supervision Exercised:

Supervisor of patients who are involved in garden duties may be required.

Supervision Received/ Freedom of Action:

The Senior Gardener provides allocation of work and day-to-day supervision. Work is inspected by the Senior Gardener on a sample/ random basis. When working overtime, staff may not be supervised and have the freedom of action to make decisions and act accordingly when reacting to changing circumstances. Ideas contributing to the continued or improving efficiency of the department are encouraged.

Environment:

Working Conditions Mainly outdoors but some indoor work during inclement weather.

Physical Effort Varies from light to heavy, depending on the type of work. Intense physical effort for long periods of time can be required. Mandatory manual handling courses are provided.

Mental Effort There is a frequent requirement for prolonged concentration when operating machinery.

Responsibilities for all Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust staff:

All post holders will agree to:

Commit to the vision of supporting Mersey Care in becoming a leading organisation in the provision of community services, mental health care, addiction services and learning disability care, and in doing so fully utilise their skills and experience to support the objectives of the Trust.

Role model the values of the Trust Continuous Improvement, Accountability, Respectfulness, Enthusiasm and Support in all activities and interactions with employees, service users and other stakeholders.

Challenge the stigma associated with mental health and learning difficulties.

Comply with the Duty of Candour, defined by Francis as: 'The volunteering of all relevant information to persons who have or may have been harmed by the provision of services, whether the information has been requested and whether or not a complaint or a report about that provision has been made.

Work across professional and organisational boundaries to improve services for all.

Maintain their specific knowledge base and develop new skills.

Value the contribution of the patient/ service user voice.

Operate within any organisational codes of practice or those from a relevant professional body.

Respect equality and diversity across all areas of working practice and communications with staff, service users and other stakeholders.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant Diploma or equivalent qualification
• National Proficiency Test Certificate qualification in spray chemical use PA1 and PA6
• National Proficiency test Certificate qualification in chainsaw use

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable professional gardening experience
• Possession of initiative and decision-making capability
• Good observation skills
• Evidence of physical fitness
• Ability to think clearly, analyse problems and react sensibly in emergencies.

Desirable

• Good level of verbal communication skills

Values

Essential

• Continuous Improvement
• Accountability
• Respectfulness
• Enthusiasm
• Support
• High professional standards
• Responsive to service users
• Engaging leadership style
• Strong customer service belief
• Transparency and honesty
• Discreet
• Change oriented

Skills

Essential

• A demonstrated understanding of Equality and Human Rights
• Prepared to and able to work as part of a team

Desirable

• Overall background interest in nature, horticulture

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 details

Employer name

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Maghull Health Park

Parkbourne

Maghull

L31 1HW

Employer's website

https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)