Maintenance Assistant

NHS; South Shields; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare facilities management firm in South Shields seeks a Maintenance Assistant to support the maintenance of various engineering and building systems across NHS Health buildings. The successful candidate will assist in daily trade activities, participate in emergency on-call rotas when necessary, and benefit from a competitive salary and generous working conditions, including opportunities for professional growth. A full UK driving license is required. This role offers a diverse and fulfilling work environment.

Benefits

Generous sickness and annual leave entitlements

Salary sacrifice schemes

Access to a Fitness Centre

Childcare support

Qualifications

• Experience of maintaining Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing systems.
• Experience working in hospital settings.
• Experience working with the public.

Responsibilities

• Assist trades persons in maintenance and repair activities.
• Undertake non-complex maintenance tasks on engineering/building systems.
• Participate in planned and reactive maintenance tasks.

Skills

Knowledge of Mechanical systems

Knowledge of Electrical systems

Basic IT Skills

Use of power and hand tools

Ability to manage deadlines

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Engineering

Basic Numeracy & Literacy Skills to level 1

Certificates supporting industry experience

Formal completion of relatable Level 3 qualification

Job description

Go back City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises Ltd (CHoICE)

Maintenance Assistant

The closing date is 23 December 2025

An opportunity hasarisen for an enthusiastic, dedicated Maintenance Assistant to join the Maintenance Assistant team who support the maintenance and repair of engineering/building systems, equipment and components at NHS/Health buildings maintained by CHoICE Facilities Services 365 days per annum. Operating under a day shift pattern covering between 07:30–16:30hrs 5 days per week, the role will require the post holder to support various trade staff as part of their day‑day activities and undertaken on‑complex repairs and planned maintenance tasks to help CHoICE achieve and deliver its statutory, mandatory and best practice commitments to its existing partners.

Successful applicants will have a building/engineering background and be able to demonstrate that they possess relevant skills & developed knowledge having worked in an industry related role for several years whilst possessing several short industry related formal qualifications. As part of a highly diverse role, the candidate will have the opportunity support the maintenance of several large-scale systems typically found within a large Acute NHS Trust. Typical systems will include: general power systems, lighting including emergency lighting systems, nurse call systems, hot and cold water systems, drainage systems, ventilation systems, steam system, heating systems and medical gas systems.

The role may require the participation in the winter measures on‑call rota of which appropriate payments will be made.

Main duties of the job

All applicants must have a positive, friendly and co‑operative manner whilst being prepared to be flexible to meet the service needs of the Trust. The role will require successful applicants to use their own initiative when undertaking a range of non‑complex problem‑solving scenarios to allow a satisfactory outcome whilst adapting to the changing demands of the role.

As well as completing a range of non‑complex planned maintenance activities, successful applicants will also be required to assist all Engineering & Building Trade staff in their day‑to‑day activities to allow them to undertake the installation, commissioning, maintenance, service & repair of all engineering & building related building fabric, equipment & installations at properties maintained by CHoICE.

This opportunity allows applicants to join a driven & ambitious organisation which has a history of developing staff and providing opportunities grow within the team. As well as a competitive salary, successful applicants will be supported with excellent terms in conditions including generous sickness and annual leave entitlements, opportunities to join salary sacrifice schemes and an opportunity to join a salary sacrifice pension scheme with generous employee contributions.

A full UK driving licence is essential for this post, you will be required to drive/operate Choice vehicles and machinery i.e. vans, tractors, forklift, MEWPs etc. (full training will be provided for specialist equipment).

About us

Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.

City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises Ltd (CHoICE - trading since 2014) is a wholly owned subsidiary company of South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT). We provide a full range of Facilities Management, Procurement and Outpatient Pharmacy services. We employ staff in a wide range of functions, ranging from cleaners, porters, engineers, procurement and pharmacists.

Commitment, Care and Compassion – our Team contribute to the overall hospital environment, providing safe, secure and comfortable facilities for access by patients, staff and visitors. CHoICE is an exciting place to work that will provide you with an opportunity to grow and develop. Many of our staff work flexibly, including part‑time and we are committed to offering flexible approaches to work where possible. We provide a range of benefits including Fitness Centre (SRH), cycle to work scheme and access to a Childcare Co‑ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

We welcome all applications regardless of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups.

If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description for full duties of the role.

The role serves three primary purposes within CFS Hard FM:

To provide assistance to trades persons in their undertaking of maintenance, repairs and installation activities as appropriate to allow them to work towards fully maintaining and repairing the engineering/building services maintained by CFS.

To undertake non‑complex engineering/building defects and maintenance activities across the full range of engineering & building systems/services maintained by CFS. The role will typically require first level response to defects and maintenance with non‑complex/minor activities completed and more complex elements/scenarios escalated to the appropriate trade staff via an engineering/building supervisor.

To participate in the rolling CFS Maintenance Assistant shift pattern/system and support in the completion of planned maintenance and reactive maintenance tasks.

The post holder will be required to participate in the current CFS winter measures on call rota and undertake overtime when the service needs dictate for which appropriate payments will be made.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

• To have an awareness of relevant Engineering/Building requirements and current regulations.
• Knowledge of Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing or Building systems/equipment typically found within a large NHS Acute Trust.
• Basic IT Skills.
• Ability to cascade information to internal and external customers.
• Ability to manage and work to deadlines.
• Possess an engineering/building based aptitude, be able to demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills and be able to demonstrate suitable experience to fulfil requirements of the post.
• Use and manipulation of power and hand tools.
• Able to assess a range of options available and select the most appropriate before proceeding or deferring the works in which to be completed at a later date.

Qualifications

• Basic Numeracy & Literacy Skills to level 1 or equivalent.
• Certificates to support experience gained whilst working in the industry.
• Formal completion of a role relatable level 3 qualification or equivalent experience.
• NVQ Level 2 in Engineering.
• Recognised approved water Jetting Association Accredited training.

Physical Skills

• Is able to travel and work at all Trust sites.
• Is able to have the ability to undertake moderate physical activities for long periods throughout a typical working day.
• Is able to complete tasks which require short intensive bursts of effort before returning to moderate physical.
• Undertake regular moving and handling activities.
• Requirement for highly developed physical dexterity, for hand and eye co‑ordination.

Experience

• Experience of maintaining or installing Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing or Building systems/equipment typically found within a large NHS Acute Trust.
• Experience of hospital working.
• Experience of working with public.
• Experience of working at heights.
• Experience of working in confined spaces.

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

City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises Ltd (CHoICE)