Helipad Technician Job at Brighton seconds Full Time NEW

Job overview

****** THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ******

To assist in the delivery of a robust cost-effective Helipad Service to the Major Trauma Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital

This will include:

Supporting all aspects of Helipad operations including preventive & reactive maintenance and to ensure the helipad is available for use to the agreed operating schedule.

Reporting to and supporting the Helipad Operations Manager you will be part of the Helipad Response Team (HRT) your main role will be to assist with ensuring the Helipad remains operational responding to all helicopter movements.

Aid with preparing the Helipad for operational use each day and closing down at the end of shift

When required or asked to by Helipad Operations Manager or Helipad Officer maintain positive working relationships with SECAMB and KSS Air Ambulance along with Major Trauma Centre Staff.

Main duties of the job

Helipad Operations: Assist with preparing the helipad for daily operational use and close it down at the end of shifts.

Incident Response: Participate in the Helipad Response Team (HRT) to respond to any incidents or emergencies during helicopter landings and take-offs, including fire incidents.

Equipment Management: Working alongside the Helipad Officer assist with ensuring that all helipad equipment, especially the DIFF system and all relating mechanical elements, the emergency lighting including helicopter signalling lights and the UPS system, is appropriately tested, maintained, and available for use.

Safety and Compliance: Adhere to all relevant Health & Safety policies and ensure compliance with aviation regulations, such as the Civil Aviation Publication (CAP699) requirements for hospital helipads. Participate in completing twice daily checks of all equipment and infrastructure ensuring that if any equipment is not functioning or does not pass safety inspection it is reported immediately. As a result of any findings the Helipad will be closed (if findings are part of the “no fly criteria”) until the fault is rectified.

Patient Transfer Support: Assist in the safe transfer of seriously injured or critically ill patients to and from the helicopter and the A&E or relevant department, using appropriate manual handling techniques and equipment.

See Job Description and Personal Specification for more details

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 RSCH elevated helipad.

· Will be trained in the use and maintenance of the DIFFS (Deck Integrated Fire Fighting System).

· Support and contribute to the implementation and routine update of a comprehensive helipad fire safety plan, including emergency response protocols.

· Assist with conducting 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.

· Contribute to maintaining 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 and when instructed, 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, supporting 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.

· When asked 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 Helipad Operations Manual 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 Job Description and Personal Specification for more details.

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

Experience of Microsoft Office, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.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.

Experience and Qualifications

Essential criteria

Knowledge of a range of procedures for basic testing and repair of estates and maintenance equipment; level 3 vocational qualification or equivalent experience required.Experience of working in Facilities Management or equivalent specialist knowledgeEvidence of continued professional development

Desirable criteria

Worked in an NHS environment and has an understanding of relevant issues.

Skills

Essential criteria

Good analytical skills including the use of statisticsAble to act independently on own initiative and judgement to make decisionsMust be capable of performing manual handling and patient handling tasks in accordance with H&S and risk management policies and protocolsAbility to complete routine checks, identify problems and make an assessment on how the issue needs to rectified/trouble shoot faults

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential criteria

Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in ApplicationsWe 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