Health and safety is very important in the NHS. Health and safety officers aim to minimise risks to patients, staff and visitors.
Health and safety officers have a qualification in health and safety. To join the NHS as a health and safety officer you often need a relevant degree or postgraduate level qualification. Degree courses are three years full time and you'll usually need appropriate level 3 qualifications for entry. To get onto a postgraduate course you usually need an honours degree, a NEBOSH qualification or professional experience. When you join the NHS as a health and safety officer you will have training to introduce you to the department and its systems and procedures. Your employer will expect you to keep your skills and knowledge up to date by attending short courses on particular topics such as accident investigation or risk management. You may be encouraged to take further qualifications.
Health and safety officers working in the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. You would typically start on AfC band 5. With further training and experience, you could apply for more senior positions at bands 6 and above. Health and safety officers in the NHS work standard hours of around 37.5 a week. The job may involve some evening and weekend working. Health and safety officers may be on call if there is an incident. Terms and conditions will usually be different for fire safety officers working outside of the NHS.
Health and safety officers need to be interested in health and safety, willing to follow procedures, able to train staff at all levels, able to prioritise, willing to work under pressure and remain calm in stressful situations. They also need report writing, time management, good planning and organisational skills.
With experience, a health and safety officer can become a manager, with a team of staff and responsible for the health and safety in a hospital, area or trust. There are opportunities outside the NHS.
Related roles
Reconstructive science is concerned with the corrective treatment of patients with malformation, cancer or trauma – especially in the skull, jaw and face.
You’ll need to be a registered dental technician or dental technologist in order to apply for the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) in reconstructive sciences.
NHS staff will usually work a standard 37.5 hours per week. They may work a shift pattern. Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales. Trainee clinical scientists train at band 6 level, and qualified clinical scientists are generally appointed at band 7. With experience and further qualifications, you could apply for posts. Terms and conditions of service can vary for employers outside the NHS.
A mature, calm, confident but sympathetic approach to achieve the best outcome for each patient; confidence with technology, systems and processes; an interest in science and technology; meticulous attention to detail; good interpersonal skills and able to work as part of a team.
With further training or experience or both, you may be able to develop your career further and apply for vacancies in areas such as further specialisation, management, research, or teaching.