Head of Fire Safety
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Fulfil your potential in hospitals that make history:
Charing Cross, Hammersmith, St Mary's, Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea and Western Eye.
With five world-renowned hospitals, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is full of opportunity if you are looking to develop your healthcare career.
We are an NHS Trust of approximately 16,000 people, providing care for over a million and a half patients from north west London and beyond every year.
We have a rich heritage and an ambitious vision for the future of our patients and local communities.
With our partners, Imperial College London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, we form Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre, one of 6 academic health science centres in the UK, working to ensure the rapid translation of research for better patient care and excellence in education.
We are proud of our heritage in innovation and we are early adopters of new insights in technologies, techniques and treatments for improving health.
Job overview
As the Trust's 'competent person' on all matters relating to Fire Safety, the post holder will ensure that that the Trust complies with Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) legislation and will work closely with all relevant parties within the Trust's hospital and community premises externally to ensure the provision of a fire safe environment for patients/staff/visitors and to facilitate sustained care and well-being.
By the provision of competent advice, assist the Trust Board, Director of Estates and Facilities and the Trust in providing and maintaining levels of fire precaution within Trust premises in line with NHS Health Technical Memorandum Fire Code suite of documents requirements, and maintaining good relationships with the London Fire Brigade.
The post holder will be part of a high-skilled, professional compliance safety team that forms an integral part of the Trust's Estates and Facilities Directorate. Developing and maintaining an open and transparent Fire Safety Management System, the post holder will be able to provide assurance through the Director of Estates and Facilities and the wider Trust board on matters relating to Fire Safety.
Main duties of the job
As an autonomous lead on all matters of fire safety you will be the Trust's lead expert for fire safety, providing expert professional advice to the Trust board and senior management on all current fire safety legislation, including the Building Safety Act 2022 and The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
You will be responsible for ensuring the Trust is compliant with their legal and statutory requirements and that all fire safety regulations under current statutes and codes of practice are addressed across a complex and multi-site organisation.
As the expert in Fire Safety you will develop and lead on policies and strategies for implementation of the Trusts' fire compliance annual mandatory programme. To continually improve reporting systems in order to maintain a safe environment for patients and staff
You will lead, and provide expert specialist and professional fire information service for all capital projects, provide advice to other clients/partners, directors, and senior management of the trust.
You will also identify any existing and potential vulnerabilities and opportunities for improvement across all trust sites and advise on the management of Fire Safety and Risk in the workplace; and is responsible for the effectiveness of comprehensive fire safety training programme, for all staff at all levels in the Trust.
Interviews will be held in person on Wednesday 22 October at St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY.
Working for our organisation
At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.
Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You'll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.
Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.
We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.
For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.
Person specification
Qualifications / Education
Essential criteria
- Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) - Member
- The Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) - Member
- NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety
- Master's degree or equivalent in operational fire safety management
- IFSM Fire Risk Assessment Validation
- IFSM TFRAR Tier 3 Registration
- Fire Protection Association (FPA) - Member
- FPA Level 3 - Fire Door Inspection
- FPA Level 3 Passive Fire Protection - Intermediate
- FPA Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment
- FPA Fire Safety Design of Buildings
- NAHFO Membership and CPD
Desirable criteria
- Other teacher or training qualifications
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Experience
Essential criteria
- At least 3 years' experience working as a Fire Safety Manager (or equivalent) in the NHS
- Expert knowledge of fire safety legislation and management systems including the NHS HTM 05 suite of documents
- At least 5 years' experience of supervising the preparation of Fire Risk Assessments and validating the final documentation
- Experience of working with Capital Projects team/contractors for complex new build or refurbishment projects
- Experience of working at a senior and Board level with external bodies such as Fire and Rescue Services.
- Experience in the preparation of training strategies and overseeing training needs assessments
- At least 5 years' experience in problem solving in order to develop robust evacuation plans and fire strategies within the workplace
- Extensive experience gained in the process to ensure legal compliance required under health and safety as well as an appreciation of the intricate language of legal documents etc.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of procuring and implementing Fire Risk Assessment IT systems
- Experience of Microsoft Office would be an advantage, although training will be given where necessary
Skills/Knowledge/ Abilities
Essential criteria
- Significant experience of development of Fire Safety Policies and Procedures.
- Extensive practical application of fire prevention theory and highly developed specialist detailed knowledge of building fire design and construction
- Experience of leading a team and working with limited support
- Formulation and presentation of technical reports.
- Clean driving licence
Desirable criteria
- Understanding of clinical and operational requirements of Trust departments in order to plan and manage suitable fire safety arrangements
- Ability to continually monitor and improve fire prevention and response systems.
- An understanding of manual handling regulations and the ability to assess any associated risks in the workplace
Please ensure you check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process. If you are shortlisted you will be contacted by email and text message (if you provide a mobile contact number).
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
- Job Description (PDF, 397.4KB)
- Functional Requirement form (PDF, 388.1KB)
- Our Strategy 2023-25 (PDF, 230.4KB)