Plumber

NHS Professionals; Reading; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay rates - work this week

24/7 support

Multi locational shifts

Bank shift portal access

Flexible shift options

Training and development opportunities

Holiday allowance accrual

Stakeholder pension

Job summary

NHS Professionals is seeking a Specialist Maintenance Plumber and Estates Technician (Mechanical) for Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in Reading. You will lead diagnostics, repairs, and maintenance of complex plumbing and mechanical plant, including pressurised water systems and drainage, across acute hospital buildings, with emphasis on safety and healthcare standards.

You will act as the designated Water Safety CP, oversee HTM 04-01 compliance with the Water Safety Group, and supervise

Qualifications

• Substantial post-qualification experience maintaining complex plumbing and mechanical systems in healthcare or large facilities.
• Experience supervising junior staff, apprentices, or coordinating contractors.
• Familiarity with health and safety regulations (COSHH, CDM, Permit to Work).
• Knowledge of HTM 04-01, HBNs, and water hygiene in acute hospital settings.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair complex mechanical faults in central boiler plants, distribution mains, and water systems.
• Lead testing and commissioning of new mechanical installations with compliance to standards.
• Overhaul plant room equipment, pumps, valves and water storage tanks; manage emergencies in critical areas.
• Coordinate external plumbing and water treatment contractors; ensure RAMS and permits to work are followed.

Skills

Advanced fault-finding

Leadership

Communication

Digital systems literacy

Tools

CAFM software

Building Management Systems (BMS)

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Plumber

Location: Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, Berkshire RG15AN

Shift Pattern: Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm

Pay: £19.97 per hour.

THIS IS A TEMPORARY ROLE ONGOING

Job Summary

To operate as a Specialist Maintenance Plumber and Estates Technician (Mechanical) within the Estates and Facilities department of Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (RBFT).

The post-holder will take a lead technical role in the maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs of complex mechanical plant, pressurised hot and cold water distribution networks, and drainage systems across all acute hospital buildings.

1. Complex Mechanical & Plumbing Systems

Diagnose and repair complex mechanical faults on central boiler plants, distribution mains, pressurised booster sets, and industrial hot/cold water systems.

Lead the testing, and commissioning of new mechanical and plumbing installations, ensuring compliance with British Standards, Water Regulations, and healthcare safety guidelines.

Overhaul and maintain plant room equipment, commercial pumps, valves, and water storage tanks.

Respond as the primary technical specialist to major estates emergencies (e.g., major water supply failures or flooding in critical clinical spaces like A&E or operating theatres).

2. Statutory Compliance, Water Safety & HTM Leadership

Act as a designated Competent Person (CP) for Water Safety in accordance with HTM 04-01.

Oversee and implement water safety management protocols, working directly with the Water Safety Group (WSG) to control and mitigate risk from Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and other waterborne pathogens.

3. Team Leadership, Coordination & Supervision

Act as the site liaison and coordinator for external plumbing, mechanical, and water treatment contractors, ensuring their work is executed safely and on schedule.

Review, sign off, and monitor contractor compliance with Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) [NHS Golden Jubilee Expansion Project (Phase 2) KSAR Report].

Issue local Permits to Work (e.g., hot works, confined spaces, mechanical isolation) as authorized.

Experience & Knowledge

• Required: Substantial post-qualification experience managing and maintaining complex plumbing and mechanical systems in a commercial, industrial, or large-scale healthcare setting.
• Required: Experience supervising junior trade staff, apprentices, or coordinating contractors.
• Required: Demonstrated familiarity with health and safety regulations (such as COSHH, CDM, and Permit to Work systems).
• Required: In-depth knowledge of HTM 04-01, HBNs, and water hygiene compliance within an acute hospital environment.

Skills & Personal Attributes

• Advanced fault-finding and diagnostic capability on complex, interconnected systems under pressure.
• Leadership qualities with the ability to coordinate, motivate, and direct a technical maintenance team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to compile safety reports and communicate technical issues clearly to clinical teams.
• Proficiency with digital systems, including CAFM software and building management systems (BMS).

Benefits

• Competitive pay rates- work this week, get paid next week
• Essential support when you need it- 24/7 365 days- call us anytime
• Multi locational- work across neighboring Trusts
• Manage your shifts and timesheets on the go- access your “My Bank” shift portal anywhere, anytime online or through your smartphone
• Varied working options to suit your lifestyle- access to the Bank gives you options of ad hoc shifts or longer-term placements
• Training and development opportunities- Keep up with the essentials and more
• Build holiday allowance for every shift you work- your work life balance is important to us
• Stakeholder pension scheme available- a flexible future for you and yours

Who are NHS Professionals?

We specialise in putting people in place to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated candidates and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, access to more shifts and a healthier work-life balance, giving more choice and control to our members.

As an equal opportunities' organisation, NHSP is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective Bank members and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender reassignment, or marriage and civil partnership. We believe there is a strong case for the Equality, Diversity and inclusion agenda and we strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants form a range of backgrounds to apply.