Your guide to a green career: finding a sustainability job in NHS Scotland

Why a sustainability career in healthcare?

You might be asking, "Why choose a career in healthcare sustainability?" Think of it as an opportunity for you to be on the frontline of a major challenge. The link between population health and the health of our planet is no longer something we can ignore.

The ‘triple planetary crisis’

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution all directly impact healthcare delivery, but NHS Scotland is stepping up to meet this challenge.

This isn't just an idea. It's a national mission, driven by the NHS Scotland Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy. Our goal is to become a net zero organisation by 2040. 

The new NHS Scotland Sustainability Careers Guide is a key part of our strategy to reach net zero. It highlights the wide range of roles across NHS Scotland that contribute to this goal and is designed to inspire and inform both future talent interested in pursuing a career with NHS Scotland and the talented people already working here who want to move into a sustainability role.

Find out more about the NHS Scotland climate emergency and sustainability strategy: 2022-2026.

Our progress and the challenge ahead

The 2024 Progress Report shows just how much work is underway. But, it also highlights some of the real-world impacts, too. Did you know that during the 2022 UK summer heatwaves, one-fifth of hospitals were forced to cancel operations due to the extreme temperatures?

Read the Annual NHS Scotland Climate Emergency and Sustainability Report 2024.

Is this guide for you?

We need passionate, skilled people to join this fast-growing field. The new sustainability guide is designed for everyone:

• School pupils planning their future careers.
• School leavers exploring career opportunities that align with their values and offer a clear sense of purpose.
• College and university students with a passion for the environment.
• Professionals looking for a meaningful career change.
• Current NHS Scotland staff who want to make a bigger difference.

This guide is your first step. Let's explore what it takes.

What skills do you need for a green job?

You don't necessarily need a "sustainable development" degree to get started, but it can help for some roles! Many of the most critical skills for these roles are transferable.

If you're a good problem-solver and communicator, you already have the foundations. Here are some of the other common skills that really count:

• Analytical skills for looking at data on energy, waste, or travel.
• Effective engagement to inspire colleagues and explain complex issues clearly.
• Collaboration to work with all kinds of people, from healthcare professionals to suppliers.
• Strategic thinking to see the bigger picture and plan for the future.
• Report writing to track progress and build a case for new green projects.

The guide shows there isn't just one path into a sustainability career. Existing staff can move into sustainability from jobs they already do here in NHS Scotland. They often come from roles in:

• Estates
• Transport
• Waste
• Communications
• Procurement

It’s a chance for them to combine their existing knowledge, skills, and experience with a real passion for environmental matters.

This opportunity isn't just for our employees. If you've got experience in areas like logistics, project management, data science, or corporate communications, your skills are highly transferable. You can bring your valuable knowledge to a new green role with us!

NHS Scotland Sustainability Action Programme

The NHS Scotland Sustainability Action Programme sets out the national approach to implementing and delivering the NHS Scotland Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy 2022 to 2026. 

The programme provides advice, guidance, and tools to support boards in implementing the strategy locally. It works across a number of interconnected areas, including:

• adaptation
• energy transition
• sustainable care
• greenspace, biodiversity and green health
• sustainable procurement
• waste and the circular economy
• sustainable transport and active travel
• capital and assets

Sustainable care

Sustainable care is a vital part of our work. It focuses on how we can deliver care while reducing our environmental impact.

It includes specialisms like responsible prescribing and managing medical gases. It also focuses on other initiatives, like the Green Theatres Programme, which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of our operating theatres and enable sustainable care.

The goal is to embed sustainability directly into clinical practice while making sure patient safety remains the top priority. A key part of making this happen is strong clinical leadership. This is where the Clinical Leadership for Environmental Action (CLEAN) network comes in.

The CLEAN network connects healthcare staff across Scotland who are passionate about reducing the environmental impact of healthcare. They work together to share ideas, lead projects, and find new ways to deliver more sustainable care.

Find out more about the CLEAN network.

Embracing a circular economy

This is a vital, system-wide approach. It's about moving NHS Scotland away from a "take-make-use-dispose" model to one where resources are kept in use for as long as possible.

Find out more about NHS Scotland’s move to a circular economy.

Real stories: meet the people behind the progress

But what's it really like? The new sustainability career guide is packed with case studies. These are real stories from people across NHS Scotland, sharing their unique career journeys. Some started from university, others from different sectors, and some from within the NHS.

Jimmy Ramsay, Head of Sustainability, NHS Fife

Jimmy’s story is a powerful example of a career change. He didn't start in sustainability. Jimmy began his career as a time-served electrician and progressed through the estates department.

"My advice for anyone considering a role in climate change and sustainability is that it’s never too late or too early to get involved. At 42, I came from a background that wasn’t directly focused on sustainability, but many of my previous roles provided valuable connections to this field, giving me a solid foundation."

Joyce Anderson, Operational Waste Manager, NHS Tayside 

With over 30 years in operational management, Joyce highlights the complexity and excitement of her specialist area.

"Waste management is about so much more than just disposal. It’s a complex field that involves regulations, sustainability practices, technology, data analysis, and risk management. The field is constantly evolving, making it both challenging and exciting!"

Yasmine Morgan, Estates Officer Sustainability, NHS Fife 

Representing the new generation of sustainability leaders, Yasmine joined as a graduate and recently won a Rising Star award. She speaks to both the rewards and the realities of the job.

"Most rewarding is the creativity that I can bring to the role, the conversations with people who are passionate about making the world a better place. The most challenging part is working against ‘traditional’ ways of doing things and encouraging people to change their behaviours."

Natasha Kumar, Sustainability Manager (Energy Transition), NHS National Services Scotland 

As a climate scientist who grew up in Fiji, Natasha brings a deeply personal and global perspective to her role. Her advice is an open invitation to everyone.

"Sustainability is a vast field with opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background. Whatever your role, there’s a place for you. What matters most is a genuine passion for making a difference. Every role, no matter how small it seems, contributes to the bigger picture of protecting our planet for future generations."

How to find and prepare for a sustainability job in NHS Scotland

Inspired by our case studies? You don't need to be an existing employee to start your sustainability career with us. Many of our roles are open to the public, and we're actively seeking passionate people from all backgrounds.

Where to look for vacancies

The best place to find sustainability job opportunities is the official NHS Scotland Jobs website.

Because these roles are new and growing, they might not be listed every day. We highly recommend you set up job alerts on the site. This way, you'll get an email notification as soon as a new sustainability role is posted.

Keywords for your job search

To find the right roles, try using these search terms:

• sustainability
• climate change
• net zero
• environmental
• energy manager
• waste manager
• circular economy
• biodiversity
• active travel

Search for NHS Scotland job vacancies.

How to get started: upskilling and networking

Whether you're a student, a graduate, or an experienced professional, you can start building your sustainability credentials today.

Build your knowledge and credentials 

While passion is key,  specialist roles often need specific knowledge.

• Formal qualifications—Many of our managers and leads have degrees in fields like environmental management, environmental science, or sustainability.
• Professional bodies—These are groups for professionals in the field. Joining them, even as a student, shows you're serious and is the best way to build your network. We value our memberships with bodies like:
  • Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals
  • Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
• Key standards—Get familiar with key environmental standards, as they are often mentioned in job descriptions. A great starting point is learning about the ISO 14001 standard for Environmental Management Systems.

Build your network

Change doesn't happen alone. The guide recommends connecting with others and building a network of peers and people with similar interests.

• Externally—Joining a professional body like the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) or the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) is a great way to build knowledge and meet peers.
• Socially—Follow NHS Scotland Boards and key sustainability figures on platforms like LinkedIn. You’ll be able to see what they're working on and stay informed about new opportunities.

Your future in sustainability starts here

NHS Scotland is committed to leading the way in sustainable healthcare. But these roles are part of an even bigger mission.

As one of Scotland’s largest employers, NHS Scotland is an Anchor Institution. This means we have a responsibility to support the wider community, not just our patients. We do this by creating good, secure, and sustainable jobs that help the whole community prosper.

Find out more about Anchor Institutions on the Public Health Scotland website.