Ambulance Vehicle Engineer (Mechanic)

NHS; Coventry; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for an experienced Ambulance Vehicle Engineer at a leading NHS Trust in Coventry. The role involves servicing and repairing various vehicles while ensuring compliance with industry standards. Ideal candidates will hold relevant qualifications and have a solid background in vehicle maintenance.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Continuous professional development

Qualifications

• Must have a fully recognised apprenticeship and NVQ level 3.
• Experience in vehicle repair and servicing for at least 4 years.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Service and repair Trust vehicles to meet industry standards.
• Conduct pre-M.O.T inspections and rectify defects.
• Maintain effective communication with colleagues and parts suppliers.

Skills

Knowledge of vehicle electrical systems

Ability to work under pressure

Education

NVQ level 3 or City and Guilds level 3

Fully recognised apprenticeship in Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair

Tools

Diagnostic equipment

MIG Welder

Job description

Go back West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust

Ambulance Vehicle Engineer (Mechanic)

The closing date is 07 July 2025

An exciting opportunity has become available for an experienced Vehicle Technician to join our well established team at our Coventry Workshop.

The role of the Ambulance Vehicle Engineer is toensure all Trust vehicles (Petrol/Diesel/Hybrid and EV) both owned and leased,are serviced, repaired, and maintained to trusts procedures and industrystandards. The post incorporates the skilled service and repair of specialistambulance equipment.

The successful applicant must hold a fully recognised apprenticeship e.g. Motor VehicleMaintenance and Repair or equivalent experience along with NVQ or C&G level 3 qualifications. A full UK driving licence is essential for this post along with having full category C1 entitlement.

Main duties of the job

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and accessible workplace for everyone where our colleagues feel empowered to succeed.

Each person plays a vital part to ensuring our organisation meets the differing needs of our communities ultimately enabling us to save lives. We acknowledge that a workforce that reflects the communities that it serves provide better patient care and we are therefore looking for self-motivated, enthusiastic people from all backgrounds that care about making a difference to our patients.

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity at all levels. We are proud to have maintained Disability Confident Leader status and as part of our commitments to this we guarantee to invite all applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role to attend assessment or interview. If you have a disability or learning difficulty, and prefer to disclose it, please feel free to do so in your application. You can also contact the Recruitment Team via email at [e-mail] if you wish to have a confidential discussion. We use this information, with your permission, to ensure you are fully supported during the recruitment process.

The Trust is proud to support our Armed Forces community and have signed up to the Step Into Health initiative. We welcome applications from Armed Forces Veterans and Service leavers.

About us

If this position involves a regulated activity it will require an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. The disclosure will, where appropriate to the role, include information against the Independent Safeguarding Authority barred lists for working with children, adults or both

Where a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is required for the post, all applicants are required to cover the cost of the check. The cost of £55.76 for an enhanced check is payable to our online provider at the time that the DBS application is submitted. Upon receipt of your DBS you will then be required to sign up to the DBS online update service.

We do endeavour to respond to all candidates on an individual basis. Therefore we do ask for your co-operation and patience whilst the short listing process takes place. After the closing date please ensure you check your emails (including junk mail) regularly as contact is usually made via this method.

We are proud to offer flexible working options to support our colleagues to have a greater choice in when, where and how they work. During your interview we will explore this with you and discuss your individual needs and how this could be facilitated for this role to benefit patient experience, service delivery and the work-life balance of colleagues.

Job responsibilities

To provide high standard vehicleservicing and repairs to vehicles, specialist ambulance equipment, both owned& leased, operated by the Trust. Ensuring that all repairs meet trustpolicy. Pre inspect vehicles for M.O.Tand rectify any defects. Carry out minor accident repairs. All work to becompleted within a timely and cost effective manner.

Plan and prioritise daily workloads, toensure maximum vehicle availability. Carry out scheduled and unplannedmaintenance (due to vehicle breakdowns and defects). Working alone or as partof a team to meet time pressure deadlines.

Emergency Vehicle Engineers are expectedto communicate the necessary required parts for completion of a cost effectiveand prompt repair. Communication, via the line manager, stores persons orexternal parts suppliers. Authorised to approve and raise purchase orders up to£350.00p. Responsible for the re-ordering of spares, stock and the upkeep ofstock records using the Fleet Department Fleetwave computer software system.

To accept delivery of any parts and signfor invoices and delivery in the event that there is no Line Manager or PartsPersonnel on site to sign for the goods.

Regularly update and complete allnecessary documentation relating to each job carried out. Accurately producingvehicle records of maintenance on the fleet management system. Producing jobcards, entering hours worked, parts used and closing job cards in accordancewith workshop procedures. This work is completed primarily using Fleetwave on desktopor Ipad trust devices.

Effective communication to maintainprofessional, effective working relationships with colleagues, all trust staffand external agencies. Ability to communicate technical terminology to bothskilled and non-skilled persons. The role requires negotiation and persuasiveskills in order to provide guidance to Ambulance personnel who may be carryingout daily vehicle checks or have questions relating to vehicle defects andsafety.

Maintain a high level of communication withwarranty companies, externally contracted garages and body shops abiding by theTrusts policies, using email, telephone or face to face interactions.

Responsible for maintaining complianceof safe working practices within the workshop environment. Including Health andSafety, Fire Regulations, COSHH and current EV regulations. Reporting anyconcerns, near misses and breaches of regulations to the Area Workshop Manager,Chargehand or the trusts Incident Reporting system. Ensure correct disposal ofenvironmentally hazardous waste, in line with current legislation. Risk ofexposure to chemicals, fumes and other particles, and working in confinedspaces.

Must be able to diagnose and assess arange of different vehicles with varying degrees of complexity due to design. Therole requires the use of specialist electronic diagnostic equipment anddiagnostic software used frequently to identify complex faults withinspecialist ambulance vehicles and equipment.

The job is often mentally demanding dueto technical problem solving and requires a high degree of concentration toundertake proficient repairs. Due to the complexity of modern vehicle systemsand associated complex technical data, along with the integration of specialistvehicle equipment.

A high level of dexterity and accuracywill be required to diagnose and repair systems using specialist tools, withthe addition of, at times, confined access. Precision work may include use ofsoldering irons, fine screw drivers, multimeters and borescopes.

Use professional knowledge and judgementto fault diagnose and recommend the most appropriate outcome. The ability towork without supervision and make decisions regarding vehicles or equipment isessential. Engineers will autonomously remove defective vehicles and equipment,rectify faults and return them to operational service.

Recognise that recurring faults onvehicles need to be highlighted and linked with research and developmentinitiatives collated by the fleet support engineer.

Undertake bespoke fabrication work tospecialist vehicles, parts and equipment that is no longer available and their associatedfittings. With the use of welding and various chemical and mechanicalprocesses. Undertake modifications to vehicles and ambulance specialistequipment as and when required.

Must be fully conversant with theoperation and use of the following equipment and machinery, includes:

MIG Welder, Cutting and GrindingEquipment, Tyre Machine and Balancer, Four and Two Poster Lifts, Vehicle PartsPress, Non-flame Induction Heating Torch, Air Conditioning, Axle Stands,Pneumatic and Electric Tools and Electrical Diagnostic Equipment and ComputerSystems.

Service and repair of internalcoachwork, such as equipment storage, cupboards, vehicle doors, fixings andtrims, handles, runners, steps, specialised seating, hydraulic gas struts,saloon water leaks and high voltage strobe lights. Repair of ambulanceelectrical systems: specialist power management systems and power supplies tovarious specialist ambulance equipment

Service and repair of specialist ambulanceequipment. These include: Stretchers, carry chairs, scoops, auxiliary heaters,air con systems, air/hydraulic suspension units.

Manual handling requirements allow for themanoeuvre and lifting of heavy and large vehicle parts, which are often heavierthan 15kg without the use of specialist equipment, whilst working within manualhandling safety procedures.

Undertake the fitting and inspection oftyres in line with the Trusts Policy. Knowledge of TPMS (Tyre PressureMonitoring System) for service, inspection and programming.

Where instructed, undertake appropriatecommission or decommission of vehicles for operational use. Fitting or removalof livery, internal equipment, light bars and ancillary components.Demonstration of a high level of auto electrical awareness and relatedtechnical ability is required.

Arrange appointments and pre-inspectvehicles for DVSA testing, as per theMinistry of Transport Testers manual. Collect and deliver vehicles to the MOTtesting stations as well as other independent garages and alternate AmbulanceHubs, when required.

Travel to and work from workshops withinthe WMAS area, for relief/cover, as & when required. Responsible forvisiting all Trust sites on a daily basis, as directed by the chargehand/AreaWorkshop Manager, for the purpose of rectifying any vehicle faults.

Attend the scene of vehicle breakdownsto undertake repairs and enable the return of vehicles to workshops. This mayinclude attending motorways and rural settings, working in all weatherconditions.

Will take responsibility for theallocated repair of vehicles to a recognised technical standard and approve theirroadworthy condition, post repair, by road testing.

All individuals have a responsibility,under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently publishedregulations, to ensure that the Trusts health and safety policies andprocedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment forvisitors and employees. All staff have a duty to protect their own health andsafety and that of other persons who may be affected by their acts oromissions. To report any building or equipment defects using the Trustsreporting mechanism.

The Post-holder will be required toattend training courses, either externally or internally to continue theirprofessional development and competency within a specialist field. The servicealso offers staff the opportunity of personal development plans, within theknowledge and skills framework of the NHS.

The post-holder is required to havespecialist knowledge across a wide range of practices and procedures inrelation to vehicle engine and vehicle body manufacturers, including engine,brakes, suspension, electrics, blue, lights, sirens, dispatch, heaters,communications, and control units.

Will be required to impart knowledge andprovide assistance to enable the development of other employees when required.Provide peer to peer training within the department following short courses, wherea train the trainer approach has been taken.

Supervision of Fleet Apprentices, Contractorsand new Fleet Department Employees. Overseeing their work and providing adviceand guidance on a day to day basis.

Provide training and mentorship to FleetApprentices in all aspects of practical and technical competencies. The abilityto pass on knowledge and experience to support their development to arecognised educational standard within the automotive industry.

Be flexible within working hours,covering weekend working.

The post holder may be asked, where appropriate to standin for the Charge Hand on a short term basis for annual leave or sicknesscover. This would include having to take on a range of tasks designated aroundvehicle repair prioritisation and allocated throughput

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Fully recognised apprenticeship e.g. Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair or equivalent experience
• NVQ level 3 or City and Guilds level 3.
• Post qualification training and knowledge to include: Electrical Systems / Suspension Units / Service Vehicle Ancillary Equipment / Diagnostic Equipment / Manufacturer Specific Vehicle Training / Vehicle Bodybuilder

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of Health and Safety at work/ COSHH/ I,P&C
• Ability to work unsupervised
• To have comprehensive knowledge of vehicle electrical systems including modern vehicle electronic management, and of computer based workshop diagnostic equipment
• Certified training on hybrid and fully electric vehicles
• Ability to work under pressure to time critical deadlines
• Full UK Driving Licence plus full category C1 entitlement

Experience

• Experience in a motor vehicle repair and servicing role
• (equivalent to a minimum of 4 years including apprenticeship period)
• Experience of working on a range of vehicles to include specialised fleet

Employer name

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust

£29,970 to £36,483 a yearPlus a R&R premium & unsocial hours