Health and Safety Advisor
We will not tolerate discrimination on any of the following: gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, working pattern, caring responsibilities trade union activity or political beliefs-or any other grounds.
The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of staff from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. We encourage applications from all backgrounds to improve the diversity of our workforce and to better reflect the communities we serve to provide the right care, at the right time, in the right place; every time.
The Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy early if a large number of applications are received.
Due to the volume of applications received for our advertisements, we will only contact those candidates shortlisted for interview via email; we aim to do this within 4 weeks of the closing date. If you do not receive the email, it will be that you have not been shortlisting on this occasion.When applying for this position, it is essential that you read the job description and person specification fully. Please use the supporting information space to demonstrate your ability to undertake this role, drawing on your skills, knowledge and experience.
We also offers a range of excellent benefits including a pension scheme, up to 33 days Annual leave (exclusive of bank holidays), training and development opportunities, access to NHS discounts, Car Lease Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme, NHS Mortgages and Childcare Vouchers.
Job overview
Are you a qualified health and safety professional? Are you seeking a new opportunity to join a dynamic organisation?
NWAS are seeking to appoint two Health and Safety Advisor’s to join our Health and Safety team.
We take the health and safety of our people extremely seriously. The focus of the Health and Safety team is to provide professional advisory and support service. This involves ensuring the risk to the health, safety, and welfare of our people and any other persons affected by our activities are kept to a minimum.
Main duties of the job
To provide a strategic leadership, advice and direction ensuring the delivery of a comprehensive first-class Health and Safety service throughout the organisation.
Acting as the competent person as described under the terms of Regulation 7 of the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and be responsible for ensuring organisational compliance with statutory duties. Responsible for ensuring the Trust has effective policies, systems and processes in place to meet the obligations and requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act and associated Regulations.
Taking the lead role in the organisation for all matters of health & safety and associated underpinning legislative requirements, including the provision of health and safety reports and information to senior meetings internally and externally.
Promote leadership and ownership of Health & Safety management throughout the organisation to ensure that risks are managed as an integral part of business delivery.
Using expert Health and Safety knowledge, you will be responsible for advising managers, representatives and colleagues on any/all issues relating to health and safety at work, and for the development, delivery and co-ordination of health and safety training for colleagues.
Provide sources of assurance on Health and Safety and the wider compliance agenda for the Trust including providing data for reports and regulatory bodies.
Working for our organisation
NWAS is an inclusive and compassionate organisation driven by three value principles:- Working together.
- Being at our best.
- Making a difference in service to our people, patients and communities.
everyone in the Trust.
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust provides 24 hour, 365 days a year accident and emergency services to those in need of emergency medical treatment and transport.
Our highly skilled staff provide life-saving care to patients in the community and take people to hospital or a place of care if needed.We also provide non-emergency patient transport services for those patients who require non-emergency transport to and from hospital and who are unable to travel unaided because of their medical condition or clinical need.
Alongside the other emergency services, we also work to ensure the safety of the public and treatment of patients in the event of a major incident.
We also deliver the NHS 111 service in the North West. NHS 111 replaced NHS Direct in 2013. This service was introduced to make it easier for people to access local NHS healthcare services in England. It provides non-emergency medical help fast, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
All leadership roles at NWAS at every level are required to promote and role model our Be Think Do Philosophy. NWAS is committed to attracting managers and leaders who are more than subject matter experts, but exemplary in demonstrating their experience and commitment to; values-based leadership; challenging workforce and health inequalities; operating successfully in ambiguity, complexity and uncertainty.
The Health and Safety Advisor will be responsible for the development and implementation of Health and Safety Management Systems within the trust to meet required standards, regulations and laws. This willinclude involvement in the creation and implementation of a comprehensive Health and Safety Plan, Policy and associated procedures to ensure the upholding of workplace health and safety of patients, our people, and others involved in the services provided by the trust.
The post holder will be required to work closely with colleagues and senior managers across the trust, as well as external stakeholders, and take a lead role in the management and mitigation of risk in relation tohealth and safety.
The Health and Safety Advisor will provide expert advice and support on health and safety matters. The post holder will provide assistance by developing competencies in the preparation of risk assessments and risk profiling and develop and consistent approach towards Health and Safety.
The post holder will work following trust policies and procedures, without constant supervision but will be directed by the Senior Health and Safety Advisor. This role will be given autonomy over their workload but will be given prioritised tasks by the Senior Health and Safety Advisor.
The Health and Safety Advisor will need to independently travel across the North West, including to NWAS sites, and adopt a flexible approach to working hours.
Person specification
Skills & Competencies
Essential criteria- Communicate succinctly, clearly and accurately using a plain English approach, both verbally and in writing
- Effective team member who is able to relate to colleagues at all levels across our large multi-site organisation with tact and diplomacy
- Awareness of role boundaries/ limitations of practice and aware when to ask for guidance
- Follow written instructions and ensure that services you provide are in line with standard processes and good practice, showing attention to detail
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to write high quality reports
- Ability to apply creative thought to problem solving
- Ability to engage and motivate colleagues
- Ability to work productively and autonomously
- Ability to analyse and present complex, sensitive and contentious data
- Ability to provide information in a helpful and polite manner
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage situations in a sensitive manner
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential criteria- NVQ Level 5 in Occupational Health and Safety/NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals or equivalent qualification
- Possession of Certified Membership of Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
- Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development
Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of undertaking audits and inspections
- Experience of managing Health and Safety incidents/ cases
- Experience of completing risk assessments
- Experience of reviewing and developing policies, procedures, and guidance
- Experience of working with information technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Values & Behaviours
Essential criteria- Working together – demonstrate collaborative and inclusive working and challenge behaviour that is not inclusive or acceptable
Any offer of employment may be withdrawn if you knowingly withhold information, provide false or misleading information.
Should you be successful at interview stage successful candidates will receive a conditional offer of employment, this will be subject to the NHS Employment Checks Standards.
Right to work - You will be required to provide a valid right to work in the UK document. North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust are currently able to provide sponsorship for roles that identified under the Health and Care visa, further information on this can be found here Health and Care Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Reference checks - This will cover a minimum of a three year period and will include a request for the number of days and occasions of sickness absence covering a minimum two year period. In line with equality legislation, the earliest point at which we will ask health related questions is when an offer of employment has been made.Absences related to disability may be excluded from these considerations; consideration would be given as to what would be a reasonable attendance level, based on the information available. Absences related to pregnancy, maternity and/or gender reassignment will be excluded from these considerations.
Detailed information on the NHS Employment Checks Standards is available on the NHS Employers website; search ‘employment checks’.
DBS Checks - If the post is subject to DBS disclosure, a charge will be made for this disclosure.
Occupational Health - You will require satisfactory medical clearance.
Whilst not a condition of employment, all staff are encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as this remains the best lined of defence against COVID-19.
From 1^st September 2018, Section 2 of the Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions will automatically apply to the calculation of unsocial hours for all appointments that commence in post from this date (except secondments).
If you do not have regular access to your email please contact a member of the HR Hub Team on 03451122018.