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Job summary

Main area
Health & Safety
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Some evening and weekend work may be needed - flexibility required)
Job ref
193-6144535CORB4TES-b
Employer
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Town
Reading
Salary
£25,147 - £27,596 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
30/07/2024 23:59

Employer heading

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust logo

Fit Testing Lead - Respiratory Protective Equipment

NHS AfC: Band 4

Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements.  The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’.  This is a great opportunity to join our clinical or non-clinical teams to create a positive and motivating environment within our trust.  Come and join our team in this exciting time of change as we pride ourselves, our staff and our services on excellence.

At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”

We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions

We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate

We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live

We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice

Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us.  We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.  

 

Job overview

Since October 2019, face fit testing for Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) has been mandatory under Health and Safety legislation (COSSH). Fit testing has been a critical element of the NHS Covid pandemic response under PHE guidance but has a much wider impact on staff and patient health and safety and wellbeing.

 

The main purpose of this post is to deliver quantitative and qualitative fit testing, issuing of Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR or “Hoods” for short), RPE maintenance, RPE advice and associated administration, as part of the Trust’s RPE resilience programme.

Main duties of the job

As part of the Trust Risk portfolio, this role will oversee management of the provision, development, and compliance of the fit testing service for respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

 

To provide operational day to day management and delivery of a fit testing service for RPE including FFP3 masks to ensure an effective and efficient service for the Trust. The post holder will respond to service needs by ensuring that the workload is managed consistently and responsively to fluctuating needs with focussed attention on high-risk areas as required.

Working for our organisation

Reading sits on the river Thames and is served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford and Southampton. With excellent leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading is a wonderful place to live, work and play and provides excellent facilities for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK.

The CQC recently rated the care provided by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as Good.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will participate in the evaluation of face masks and Fit Testing equipment used within the Trust, providing constructive feedback about product suitability to ensure the trust complies with the health and safety policies, procedures and guidelines.

 

To maintain and audit the required records and the distribution of relevant information to ensure all relevant staff are tested biannually or more frequently as necessary and have access to correctly fit tested RPE. To use initiative in referring issues to other relevant parties as appropriate, ensuring confidentiality and security of information is always maintained.

 

While this role is predominantly based in Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust main site there will be a requirement to be able to travel to other Trust sites which are situated off site. Close collaboration with the Health & Safety (H&S) Team, Divisional Operations Directors, Heads of Nursing, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), facilities, procurement, and Trust managers will be essential to provide Board Assurance and compliance with PHE guidelines.

 

To support the Head of Risk and Risk, Health & Safety Officer to facilitate implementation of health and safety policies and feedback on the implementation at the health and safety committee.

 

Should there be occasions when fit testing demand is lower; assist the Head of Risk with provision of flexible administrative and support to the teams within the Risk portfolio, including maintaining records and the distribution of relevant information, analysis of health, safety and risk data for trends and preparation of performance data.

 

 

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience within the NHS or a public sector environment, working in an equivalent role or at administrative level.
  • Accurate data entry experience
Desirable criteria
  • An awareness of Health & Safety requirements within the health service.
  • Prior experience of fit testing

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • 5 GCSEs including Maths and English Grade C ‘or’ an equivalent good standard of education at GNVQ (Level 3 or above) or similar level.
  • Evidence of continuous professional development and knowledge underpinned by theory and experience
Desirable criteria
  • Foundation degree/Post graduate diploma
  • Knowledge and experience of using ESR
  • Experience of training and contact with different people on a daily basis.
  • Valid Quantitative and Qualitative Fit tester qualification from a Fit2Fit accredited trainer ((will be provided within first six months of successful recruitment)”
  • Prior experience of fit testing

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Stonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.National Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Dawn Estabrook
Job title
Head of Risk
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07759 682377
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