Health and Safety Adviser
NHS HighlandAlready thinking ahead to interview?
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About the Job
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with a “can-do” positive attitude to join NHS Highland’s Health & Safety Team. You will work across all divisions in North Highland, including Acute Services, Mental Health Services, Community Health and Social Care, primary care practices, care homes, and integrated community teams.
Working across multiple locations in a large geographical Board, you will provide operational-level health and safety advice to support statutory compliance and risk management. You will be managed by a Senior Health and Safety Adviser and work collaboratively within the team structure to deliver responsive professional guidance across the organisation.
You will manage priorities and workloads, make professional decisions within your competence, and provide advice to operational management, frontline managers, trade union representatives, and staff at all levels. Key activities include workplace inspections and audits, incident investigation, policy development, training delivery, data analysis and reporting.
The role involves some travel across North Highland and requires strong interpersonal, communication and collaborative skills, ability to interpret and apply health and safety legislation, problem-solving abilities, and proficiency with IT systems and basic level occupational hygiene monitoring equipment.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
- Specialist knowledge of health and safety, acquired through completion of the NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (or equivalent), or sound evidence of prior experience and learning at this level.
- Certified membership of IOSH, or evidence of working towards this via the IOSH CPD scheme.
- Substantive experience delivering health and safety services in a multi-activity organisation, ideally within health and care.
- Experience working within a UK setting and applying the UK health and safety legislative framework to ensure compliance and best practice.
- Experience in developing and implementing health and safety management systems, training, audit, and performance measurement.
- Experience of conducting adverse event reviews and leading review groups.
- Strong digital literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office.
- Valid UK driving licence.
Desirable
- Experience in healthcare settings and people management.
- NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety, or demonstrable knowledge and experience in construction design and management.
- A general management certificate at NVQ Level 3, or equivalent.
What We Offer
- A dynamic and supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- The chance to make a real impact on health and safety culture across NHS Highland.
Development Opportunity
We welcome applications from candidates who already hold the NEBOSH Certificate or equivalent, and are actively working towards the required minimum qualifications. If you have completed at least 50% of the NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent), with a clear pathway to completion within 18 months, you may be considered for appointment under Agenda for Change Annex 21 provisions. This would be an 18 month development role with pay starting at 70% of the Band 6 maximum for 6 months and then 75% for the last 12 months, along with structured supervision, and progression to a substantive Band 6 post on successful qualification. This is a genuine development opportunity - progression is subject to achieving the required competencies and is not automatic.
For more information please contact Sue Benson, Health and Safety Service Manager; tel: 07977 726955; email: sue.benson@nhs.scot
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
- Effective from 1st April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reduced from 37 to 36 hours. Part-time hours will be adjusted on a pro-rata basis. There will be an increase in the hourly rate to ensure that pay remains unaffected.
- You should apply for this post by completing the application process on Jobtrain.
- DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for short listing purposes
- Posts close at midnight on the indicated date
- For help to complete an application on Job Train please follow this link: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/how-to-apply/application-process/
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NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.
We employ over 10,700 people, making us one of the biggest employers in the area. As an organisation, we make a very significant contribution to the local economy.
Our staff are also important members of our communities. Our greatest asset is our workforce, and the way we go about our work comes from the values and behaviours we demonstrate on a daily basis. As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and social care values.