Heating systems and water supply is crucial for a successful NHS. Plumbers in the NHS make sure these are safe and in good working order.
Working life
The NHS relies on water supplies, drainage and heating. They are all essential to keep hospitals and other NHS buildings safe and working efficiently.
As a plumber in the NHS, your work includes:
planned maintenance
repairing equipment that is broken or faulty
testing equipment and systems
improvements and installations
Who will I work with?
You'll often work alongside other estates services staff such as electricians, carpenters and bricklayers. You may travel between sites in an NHS vehicle or your own van.
While plumbers are working inside a building, staff and patients may be there, but they do not have direct contact with healthcare staff or patients.
Plumbers may work for building services contractors which are providing services to the NHS.
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements but employers expect plumbers to have a qualification and experience in plumbing and/or heating and ventilation.
To train as a plumber, you usually need at least three GCSEs (or equivalent) including maths, English and science. Employers may ask for some experience in construction or other practical work. An apprenticeship in an estates support role can provide this.
Employers may ask for a driving licence.
Skills needed
Plumbers need to be
interested in practical work and repairs
able to follow technical instructions
accurate and methodical
health and safety aware
willing to work at heights where necessary
able to use tools
good manual (hand) skills
organisational skills
time management skills
Training and development
When you start as a trainee plumber, your training will include
health and safety
how to use the tools and equipment
all aspects of plumbing, drainage and heating work
You will be expected to study for qualifications such as NVQs. You may also be encouraged to become multi-skilled by training in, for example, painting and decorating or tiling.
Estates staff working in the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. As an estates support worker, you would typically start on AfC band 2. As a qualified plumber, you will typically start on AfC band 3. With further training and experience, you could apply for more senior positions at bands 4 and above.
Plumbers in the NHS work standard hours of around 37.5 a week. The job may involve shifts including early starts, evenings and weekends. Plumbers may be part of an on-call rota for emergency cover.
Terms and conditions will usually be different for plumbers working outside of the NHS.
Where the role can lead
Once fully qualified and with experience, a plumber can become a team leader, supervising the work of others. With further experience you could progress to manager, responsible for maintenance and repair services in a hospital, area or trust.
Some plumbers become self-employed by setting up a business, either on their own or with one or more colleagues.
Job market and vacancies
If you're applying for a role either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services, you'll be asked to show how you think the NHS values apply in your everyday work. Find out more about NHS values.
Most NHS trusts advertise their vacancies on NHS Jobs. Some of the current vacancies are below.
