Job overview
****** THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ******
Responsible for the delivery of a robust cost-effective Helipad Service to the Major Trauma Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital
This will include:
To support all aspects of Helipad operations including preventive & reactive maintenance and to ensure the helipad is available for use to the agreed operating schedule.
Supporting the Helipad Operations Manager you will be part of the Helipad Response Team (HRT) your main role will be to ensure the Helipad remains operational responding to all helicopter movements.
Preparing the Helipad for operational use each day and closing down at the end of shift
To establish and maintain positive working relationships with SECAMB and KSS Air Ambulance along with Major Trauma Centre Staff.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be required to provide and exchange information with both specialists and non-specialists and will therefore need to articulate information in appropriate and understandable formats.
· Will be required to commute internally and to outside agencies if the Helipad is operational or has been closed. Must be prepared to make the final decision according to guidelines provided and not be swayed by any potential outside influence.
· Attend planned and ad-hoc briefings.
· Provide specialist advice and guidance on matters relating to aspects of Helipad operations.
· Report on Helipad activity within the Trust and externally including to comply with CAA Regulations and BHCC Planning conditions.
· The post holder will be required to oversee sensitive tasks such as transferral of deceased patients both adult and adolescent. This will involve sensitive verbal communication with clinical teams and, on occasions, patients and their relatives.
· The post holder will be required to participate in regular meetings key stakeholders and local area representatives to discuss operational concerns.
· Communicating clear and positive messages to staff, other parts of the Trust and key stakeholders such as staff engagement initiatives, service updates and other service driven key information.
See more details on Job Description and Personal Specification
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Fire Safety Duties
Ensure strict compliance with fire safety regulations specific to rooftop helipad operations.
· Ensure the provision of appropriate fire and rescue response for all helicopter landings to the BSUH elevated Helipad.
· Will be trained in the use and maintenance of the DIFFS (Deck Integrated Fire Fighting System).
· Develop, implement, and routinely update a comprehensive helipad fire safety plan, including emergency response protocols.
· Conduct daily visual inspections of fire suppression systems (foam systems, extinguishers, alarms) to ensure full operational readiness.
· Take Part in regular fire drills and helipad-specific emergency evacuation scenarios with hospital fire response team and local fire brigades.
· Maintain detailed logs of all fire safety checks, incident reports, equipment maintenance, and training sessions.
· Ensure all landing/take-off operations are monitored for potential fire hazards (fuel spills, static discharge, foreign objects).
· Collaborate with Estates and Facilities to address structural fire risks associated with helipad fuel storage and handling.
· Where necessary, supervise fuelling operations to enforce fire safety protocols, grounding procedures, and spill containment measures.
· Respond immediately to any fire-related incidents on or near the helipad, taking command of initial containment efforts until fire response team and fire brigade arrive.
· Review and enforce fire-safe storage of combustible materials and ensure clear access to fire lanes and helipad perimeters.
· Liaise with air ambulance providers and regulatory bodies to ensure external stakeholders are aligned with helipad fire safety procedures.
· Take an active part in the rota to ensure that at all times when notified of an inbound flight, the deck is manned by two persons who will ensure the deck is readied and capable of accepting an inbound flight, after safe patient delivery, remain in attendance for the departing flight
· Understand and follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the helipad and ensure all actions and checks are complied with including initialisation, testing and deactivation of the Firefighting system each day.
· Undergo annual training as required and demonstrate the team’s ability to provide a satisfactory fire and rescue response.
See further details on Job Description and Personal Specification
This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
Person specification
Specific Requirements
Essential criteria
1. Experience of Microsoft Office, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
2. Research and Development. Staff are expected to demonstrate appropriate behaviours and attitudes that contribute to an organisational culture where patients are at the heart of everything we do.
3. Confident and proactive taking own initiative. Flexible and Adaptable
4. Personal Qualities and attributes e.g. team worker, articulate, self-
Experience and Qualifications
Essential criteria
5. Educated to a Level 3 vocational qualification or equivalent plus experience and knowledge of a range of trade procedures acquired through a 4-year accredited training course on required equipmen
6. Facilities Management or equivalent specialist knowledge / managerial qualification
7. Evidence of continued professional development
8. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Desirable criteria
9. Experience in helipad or aviation facility operations, with specific exposure to fire risk management.
10. Experience delivering fire safety training or conducting emergency drills in high-risk environments.
11. Worked in an NHS environment and has an understanding of relevant issues.
Skills
Essential criteria
12. Good analytical skills including the use of statistics
13. Ability to monitor and evaluate activities
14. Ability to review analyse and interpret in order to plan and forecast activity
15. Ability to apply a range of skills in changing circumstances i.e. change management
16. Able to act independently on own initiative and judgement to make decisions
17. Able to forward plan, developing short and long term plans, making the appropriate adjustments where necessary
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
18. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
19. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications