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Caretakers have a role in the security and maintenance of NHS buildings. As a caretaker, you may work in a hospital, health centre or residential/care home. Your duties will usually include; small repairs and maintenance, disposing of clinical and other waste, moving furniture and equipment as needed, calling in skilled maintenance staff for larger repairs. In a smaller building, such as a health centre you may also supervise car parks, maintain the grounds, including sweeping paths, gritting during cold weather, open, lock the building each day, test fire and other alarm systems, and take deliveries. Some caretakers may also do cleaning tasks such as those done by domestic assistants. This could include sweeping, dusting, polishing floors (with a polishing machine) and cleaning toilet areas. Some of the work is similar to that of porters. You may work on one site or look after several sites. You may be expected to drive between sites.
Caretakers must be willing, be physically fit for moving, lifting and bending, responsible for their own work, willing to work alone if necessary, very health and safety aware, methodical and reliable. You will also need good organisational, practical and communications skills.
People become Caretakers from all sorts of backgrounds and at different stages in life. Some are straight from school or college, others from different jobs, some after time looking after their children and others after a career in the armed services etc. Provided you have the skills and attitude needed and meet the minimum requirements, anyone can be a Caretaker.
There are no set entry requirements for Caretakers. Employers usually expect good literacy, numeracy and IT skills. They may ask for GCSEs or equivalent qualifications. There are no set entry requirements. Employers usually ask for experience of caretaking work. They may ask for knowledge of health and health safety. It may be an advantage to have relevant qualifications in, for example, cleaning. Employers may also ask for a full driving licence.
We'd love to hear from you. If you'd like to talk to us about apprenticeships and traineeships, email hyp-tr.apprentices@nhs.net
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