Transport Driver

QE Facilities Limited; Washington; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

QE Facilities is seeking a driver to provide a reliable transport service for pathology specimens and related items. You will drive vehicles to schedule, conduct daily checks, lift items up to 25kg, and record data accurately using systems or paper records.

Strong communication with health service colleagues, route planning, and adherence to safety regulations are essential. UK-wide locations may involve varied shifts and potential overnight stays as required.

Qualifications

• Experience driving commercial vehicles.
• Strong communication skills when liaising with health colleagues.
• Ability to plan routes and prioritise urgent schedules.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and expectations.
• Basic knowledge of car maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Drive vehicles to schedules following regulations.
• Lift and carry items up to 25kg.
• Deliveries to multiple locations, some on stairs.
• Daily vehicle checks to ensure roadworthiness.
• Record information using computerised systems or paper records.
• Maintain vehicle cleanliness and upkeep.
• Respond to changes in routes due to traffic.

Skills

Strong communication

Route planning

Traffic re-routing

Health and safety awareness

Basic vehicle maintenance

Job description

Job overview

To provide an effective and efficient transport service which delivers and collects items such as laboratory specimens, post, medical records, lab stores, Pharmaceutical Products, sterile supplies, in addition to driving staff transportation vehicles.

The post holder will need to have the ability to effectively communicate with health service colleagues.

Main duties of the job

To undertake driving duties to the required standard subject to appropriate training, driving vehicles carefully with every consideration being given to the passenger, any equipment, the vehicle itself, other road users and to comply with Road Traffic Legislation.

The post holder will be expected to plan their journeys, considering the routes they should take, to ensure an efficient and effective service.

The post holder may be required to accommodate longer distance driving as part of contracts, with overnight stays in Hotels/Bed and breakfast ect, to be in line with driving regulations.

The post holder is required to undertake daily vehicle checks to ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy; these checks shall include for example: oil, water, fuel, tyre pressure and tread condition, lights, warning devices etc.

Report defects and deficiencies of the vehicle and equipment and replace all items of vehicle inventory used in accordance with Policies and Procedures.

Responsible for vehicle upkeep, cleanliness, and maintenance.

Ensure all safety checks are carried out.

To operate any communication system supplied / fitted/ operated by the Company in accordance with its Policies and Procedures.

To participate in the QEF driver rota covering of shifts and duties as required / directed.

The post holder will be responsible for recording information accurately using either computerised systems or hard copy as required

Working for our organisation

QE Facilities (QEF) is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (GHNT), based in the North East of England.

QE Facilities (QEF) is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (GHNT), based in the North East of England.

We provide a range of non- clinical services to GHNT and other NHS organisations. Our services include: estates, facilities services, procurement, medical engineering and devices, endoscopy decontamination and sterile services, transport, out-patient pharmacy, and prevention & management of violence & aggression training (PMVA).

In addition we provide consultancy services, advising clients on all aspects of establishing a subsidiary company within an NHS body to the provision of VAT compliance advice.

QE Facilities work to their own Terms and Conditions and these are not the same as Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust Terms and Conditions. This is not an Agenda for Change Pay Rate.

We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Driving vehicles adhering to schedules and driving regulations.

Moderate to intense physical effort while lifting and carrying items (up to 25kgs) in line with Trust and Directorate policies and procedures.

Deliveries up and down stairs in some locations.

Daily exposure to bodily fluids, blood, fresh tissue, infective agents, and hazardous chemicals associated with pathology specimen collection and transportation.

Frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions e.g., inclement weather, exposure to fumes, dust, and dirt.

Regularly washing and cleaning of vans exterior and interior.

Varying degrees of mental effort are required throughout the day e.g., there will be a requirement to take instructions, Customer Care Managers. & Pathology staff some of which will need to be written down and these instructions may alter the transport run previously given to driver.

Driving in all types of weather/light conditions requiring mental awareness.

Ability to plan routes, responding to changes as required e.g., traffic problems.

Experience

• Experience of driving commercial vehicles

Knowledge

• Strong communication skills, interpersonal skills and ability to express empathy
• Route planning skills and knowledge of local area.
• Ability to respond to traffic problems, re-routing as required avoiding delays in transportation of patients and/or specimens.
• Able to prioritise urgent schedules.
• Knowledge of health & safety regulations and expectations
• Knowledge/awareness of basic car maintenance

Driving Licence

• Full UK Driving Licence
• First Aid
• Basic Vehicle Maintenance

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust is a smoke free organisation in line with Smoke Free Gateshead

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.