General Maintenance Assistant – Mechanical (Shift Working)

NHS; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A public healthcare institution in England is seeking a General Maintenance Assistant - Mechanical to support the Estates team. Responsibilities include maintaining and repairing mechanical and plumbing systems throughout the facility. Candidates must possess relevant trade experience to NVQ3 level and a full UK Manual Driving Licence. This role involves working within a collaborative team environment dedicated to delivering quality care while maintaining legally compliant systems and processes. Enhanced leave and contributions to the NHS pension scheme are among the benefits offered.

Benefits

Enhanced annual leave starting at 27 days (plus bank holidays)

Access to health and wellbeing services

Enrolment into the NHS pension scheme

NHS discounts at retailers with Blue Light Card

Qualifications

• Experience of carrying out mechanical maintenance work of a semi-skilled nature in building services environment, to an NVQ3 level or equivalent.
• Full UK Driving Licence (Manual).

Responsibilities

• Servicing, maintenance and repair of the building fabric and building services installations within the trust.
• Basic servicing, repairs, and fault finding on mechanical and plumbing equipment.
• Clearing of blockages in drainage pipework and cleaning of gullies, grates, and traps.

Job description

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

General Maintenance Assistant – Mechanical (Shift Working)

The closing date is 02 January 2026

University Hospitals Dorset are looking to recruit a General Maintenance Assistant - Mechanical (Shift working) to work as part of their Estates team on the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site.

The General Maintenance Assistant Mechanical (Shift working) works as part of a team that covers the hospital mechanical and plumbing systems and equipment 7 days per week and is responsible for the day-to-day repairs, operation and first line response of the Trust mechanical and plumbing equipment and systems.

You will operate and maintain the Trust’s mechanical and plumbing equipment & systems including but not limited to unblocking basins, sinks, wc's and drains and heating and hot & cold water systems (including thermostatic mixer valve servicing), water temperature monitoring duties, ventilation & air conditioning systems and other mechanical and plumbing systems and equipment found in the healthcare environment, in an economic, efficient and safe manner, in accordance with legislation and agreed standards.

Please note if you previously applied and were not successful, we will not be able to reconsider your application within 3 months.

The post holder will have a full Driving licence ( vehicle group A ).

Base Location: Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Interview Date: 13th January 2026

Main duties of the job

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

The successful applicant will need to demonstrate an keen understanding of all modern general mechanical and plumbing maintenance activities, both reactive and planned; they will require a willingness to learn, be a dedicated team player and have a proven track record.

About us

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues. UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme. This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.

Please note if the role or service is relocated as part of a planned move, employees will not be eligible for excess mileage reimbursement. Travel from the postholder's home to the new work base will be considered a normal commute. Any other changes not related to this relocation will be managed according to the relevant Trust or National terms and conditions.

So why join us?

• Enhanced annual leave starting at 27 days (PLUSBank Holidays)
• Access to health and wellbeing services
• Enrolment into the generous NHS pension scheme
• NHS discounts at thousands of retailers with a Blue Light Card

Salary saving schemes such as home electronics,bikeand car schemes

Job responsibilities

• The post holder will be responsible for the servicing, maintenance and repair of the building fabric and building services installations within the trust in line with current policies and procedures.
• The post holder will carry out basic servicing, repairs and fault finding on mechanical and plumbing equipment.
• The post holder will carry out the clearing of blockages in drainage pipework and cleaning of gullies, grates and traps.
• The post holder will carry out any other duties within the Estates function which may be required by the General & Estates Manager within the scope of the individuals competence or as laid down in agreements between the Department of Health and Social Security and Trade Unions

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Experience of carrying out mechanical maintenance work of a semi-skilled nature in building services environment, to an NVQ3 level or equivalent.
• Full UK Driving Licence (Manual)

Experience

• Have an understanding of a range of work procedures and practices for building fabric and electrical and mechanical systems, some of which are non‑routine, which require a base level of theoretical knowledge of building fabric and electrical and mechanical systems. This should be acquired through formal training or equivalent experience.
• Experience of maintenance engineering trades in a range of settings.
• Able to work unsupervised in a variety situations which will require interaction with staff from other departments and patients /patients family.n.
• Able to communicate clearly and accurately both in verbal and written form.
• Be computer literate and able record data i.e. temperatures /times, meter readings etc in databases.
• Working in Healthcare Environment.
• Background in building services or construction
• Working at heights from mobile elevating working platforms.
• Proven ability to demonstrate good problem solving and analytical skills. and specifications appropriate to original trade, without supervision.
• Be able to plan and organise day to day tasks or activities and reschedule where necessary.
• To demonstrate multi skilled approach to work.
• Familiar with hand and power tools
• Ability to work from drawings without supervision
• Ability to diagnose and repair faults in basic mechanical and plumbing installations, plant and equipment, to deal with new situations as they arise and pass on knowledge to others.
• Ability to fulfil a requirement to interpret and work from all instructions, drawings and specifications appropriate to original trade.
• Have an excellent understanding of the relationship of other Estates staff work to their own.
• Ability to liaise with clinical and non‑clinical staff of all levels.

Knowledge

• Basic mechanical and plumbing theory
• Basic fault finding and testing of mechanical and plumbing installation.
• Good knowledge of general engineering techniques.
• General knowledge of other trades allied to building services.
• Health & Safety training, Confined spaces, Lifting and Handling, COSHH, Asbestos Awareness and Air Handling Systems.
• Completed Fire Extinguisher Service & Maintenance Training.

Other requirements specific to the role

• Able to set deadlines and timescales for managing own workload.
• Able to be flexible with start/ finish times on occasion.
• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary).
• Must be in procession of a driving licence (manual).

Personal Attributes

• Self‑motivated and able to work autonomously but also as part of a complex cohesive team.
• Enthusiastic, diligent and willing to take on new ideas and training as necessary.
• Excellent communication skills as well as being courteous, tactful and well presented.
• Able to liaise with Managers and Hospital Staff of all levels.
• Numerate
• Self‑Motivated.
• Ability to work on own initiative.

Language requirement

• Able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role

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

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Depending on experience+ RRP @ £1,000 + AFC shift allowance