Job overview

The Shift Craftsperson is a vital member of the Estates Operational Team, ensuring the seamless delivery of planned and reactive maintenance, minor capital works, and emergency responses while adhering to Trust safety standards and procedures.

This role requires in-depth knowledge of complex integrated engineering systems in healthcare environments, minimizing service disruptions to patient care and other operations. Working closely with Engineering Managers/Supervisors, the technician applies core specialist skills and develops multi-trade competencies across systems and services, including:

• HVAC, water safety, and medical gas systems
• High/low voltage electrical systems and generators
• Lifts, pressure systems, and water systems
• Building fabric, fixtures, and asbestos management
• Emergency planning, compliance, and risk management

The postholder also supports infrastructure projects, backlog maintenance, minor works, and provides technical advice to contractors on major and minor projects.

This role is critical to maintaining high standards of safety, operational efficiency, and patient-focused service delivery.

Main duties of the job

The Shift Craftsperson is responsible for diagnosing and repairing complex faults in engineering systems, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and maintaining Trust infrastructure. Key duties include:

1. Fault Diagnosis and Repair: Identify, advise, and resolve complex faults in engineering, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems, passing on technical knowledge to staff, contractors, and stakeholders.
2. Equipment Proficiency: Operate tools and instruments, apply root cause analysis, and manage Building Management Systems (BMS) for fault diagnosis and energy efficiency.
3. Work Coordination: Plan, prioritize, and supervise tasks, including developing risk assessments and safe systems of work.
4. Technical Support: Provide technical assistance, oversee compliance during maintenance and new works, and liaise with manufacturers and contractors.
5. Multi-Disciplinary Maintenance: Perform multi-skilled tasks across systems like HVAC, water, medical gases, electrical systems, and decontamination equipment.
6. Plant Optimization: Maintain plant availability and energy efficiency, activate/changeover equipment, and oversee planned/reactive maintenance and mandatory testing.

The role is flexible and requires readiness to perform additional duties aligned with the needs of the Trust.

Working for our organisation

St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC). 

 After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.