Building Maintenance Operative (Hospital Estates)
Location: London (Multiple Sites)
Contract: Full-Time | Permanent
Environment: High-Security Hospital
Salary: Competitive + On-Call Payments + Overtime Opportunities
About the Role We are seeking a skilled and reliable Building Maintenance Operative to join our Hospital Estates & Facilities team. This is an essential role responsible for maintaining the hospital’s building fabric, fixtures, fittings, and infrastructure to a high standard. You will be working within a secure environment, ensuring safety, compliance, and minimal disruption to staff and patients.
You will carry out reactive repairs, planned preventative maintenance (PPM), and small new works, supporting the smooth running of the hospital estate.
This role is ideal for someone with strong building trade skills, excellent problem-solving ability, and experience working within complex or secure environments.
Key Responsibilities Building Maintenance & Repairs
Carry out installation, repair, and maintenance works to building fabric, fixtures, fittings, finishes, and decorations.
Undertake cross-trade tasks including basic plumbing, carpentry, glazing, joinery, painting, and waste clearance.
Complete hot works such as welding, brazing, cutting, and fabrication repairs.
Conduct first-line investigations and diagnostics on a range of building issues.
Perform lock auditing and replace or remove hospital security locks (training provided).
Install ligature-prevention works and safety adaptations across wards.Operational Duties
Deliver reactive, new work, and PPM tasks efficiently to performance targets.
Plan jobs, order materials, and use O&M manuals to support repairs.
Use appropriate testing tools to diagnose and resolve faults.
Maintain accurate records of work completed, faults found, and materials used.
Liaise with Building Service Technicians and escalate when contractors are required.
Escort external contractors within secure areas, ensuring compliance with security protocols.Compliance & Safety
Work in accordance with HTMs, HBNs, British Standards, Building Regulations, and Trust policies.
Follow all COSHH, Health & Safety, and safe systems of work practices.
Adhere to strict security procedures for accessing patient areas and secure zones.
Carry and operate Estates radio communication in line with Trust procedures.Additional Requirements
Participate in the on-call rota (24/7 cover on rotation).
Work at height, in confined spaces, and occasionally outside standard hours.
Travel between London hospital sites as required.
Undertake relevant training and development as part of the role.
Support the Estates Service values of Togetherness, Responsibility, Excellence, and Caring.Person Specification Essential:
Trade background in carpentry, joinery, building, or multi-trade repair.
Strong experience in general building maintenance.
Ability to work within secure or sensitive environments.
Skilled in cross-trade responsibilities (painting, basic plumbing, glazing, minor repairs).
Good understanding of Health & Safety, COSHH, and safe working practices.
Confident diagnosing building faults and completing repairs independently.
Willingness to participate in on-call rota and work at height.
Strong communication and teamwork skills.Desirable:
Experience within NHS, healthcare, or secure settings.
Welding/fabrication skills.
Knowledge of hospital locking systems.
Additional trade qualifications