Job overview
A gardener in the NHS plays a vital role in maintaining the outdoor spaces of hospitals and healthcare facilities, helping to create calm, welcoming environments for patients, staff, and visitors.
Key Responsibilities
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Mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and maintaining flower beds
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Planting, weeding, and seasonal landscaping
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Sweeping paths, clearing snow/ice, and ensuring safe walkways
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Designing and creating therapeutic garden areas for patient wellbeing
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Occasionally combining duties with caretaking or estates maintenance
Skills & Qualities Needed
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Interest in horticulture and working outdoors in all weather
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Physical fitness for manual tasks like digging and lifting
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Ability to use hand and power tools safely
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Good communication and teamwork skills
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An eye for design and attention to detail
Advert
- To assist in grounds maintenance operations on the Torbay Hospital site and community sites; the sites provide diverse landscape which includes hard surfaced areas grass and woodland areas and a wide range of mixed borders and flower beds
- Provide top quality grounds maintenance service based on the principals of sound horticultural practise
- Provide a litter picking and litter bin emptying service where the grounds maintenance specification for individual sites requires it and in addition be prepared to pressure wash external areas on request
- Undertake regular maintenance to support the site safety requirements in line with health and safety policies
- Fencing
Working for our organisation
Working with colleagues in and friendly and supportive team, where everyone has the opportunity to be the best they can be and ensures our diverse experiences are valued and respected.
Supporting our patients, staff and visitors in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Daily contact with:
o Senior Gardener
o Gardens Departmental Staff
o Site Services Manager
o Members of the public/patients
o Frequency of contact – weekly
o Staff including works department staff, cleaners, porters and transport departmental staff
o Clients (mental health)
· Monthly contact with:
o Hospital League of Friends
o Medical and ward staff
o Sustainability and Site Services LEAD
· Annual contact with:
External contractors working for the department
You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.
If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly.
- Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.
- Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
- Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
- Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
- If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
- It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.
The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.