Vehicle Make Ready Operative

Ambulnz Community Partners Ltd.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A community ambulance service provider in Greater London seeks a Vehicle Make Ready Operative to ensure ambulances are prepped and compliant for deployment. The role involves maintaining vehicles, conducting health and safety checks, and assisting crews. Candidates should have good attention to detail, be able to work independently and in a team, and possess basic technical knowledge. The position offers competitive pay of £13.85 per hour, overtime enhancements, training, and uniform.

Benefits

Uniform provided

Flu vaccination (optional)

Comprehensive training

Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to identify mistakes.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
• Technical knowledge of medical equipment and consumables is an advantage but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Support with vehicle deployment and ensure vehicles are ready for shift.
• Conduct health and safety checks and maintain cleanliness.
• Assist with repairs and preventative maintenance of vehicles.

Skills

Attention to detail

Ability to work independently

Teamwork

Good health and physical ability

Computer literacy

Job description

Overview

Vehicle Make Ready Operative – Salary: £13.85 per hour

Community Ambulance Service is part of the AmbulnzUK Group. We have over 19 operational bases across England and Wales, and over 800 employees providing essential support to the NHS and hospital trusts. Across our sites we provide patient transport services, secure mental health patient transport, urgent and emergency care. We are proud to be an established private ambulance provider with a deeply rooted history.

Join Us - IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A NEW OPPORTUNITY IN A FULFILLING ROLE MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT TO OUR PATIENTS IN THE DAY TO DAY MAINTENANCE OF OUR AMBULANCES, CONSIDER JOINING US AS A VEHICLE MAKE READY OPERATIVE (VMRO).

Location: Wembley/Imperial; Annual Salary: £27,727.70; 4 on, 4 off shift pattern; Shift times: 04:00–16:00; 38.5 hours per week.

Safeguarding Statement: AmbulnzCommunity Partners is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. If successful, this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check. It is a criminal offence to apply for a role in a regulated activity if you are barred from doing so.

Equality & Diversity Statement: We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.

Key Responsibilities

• Support with Deployment
• Work to the impact report schedule so each vehicle can start at its requested start shift time
• Issue and make available consumables and Chemex solutions for crews
• Assist crews to ensure vehicles are prepped, fully stocked and ready to depart site within 15 minutes
• Advise when a vehicle is not suitable for deployment due to defect; dispatch will identify which vehicle is needed based on vehicle spares
• Liaise with dispatch to coordinate vehicle changes upon request
• Ensure all Ambulance Colleagues are supported, compliant, safe and ready to deploy in line with Falck policies (including uniform, PPE, vehicle, equipment and XDAs)
• Be conversant with and apply all organisational policies and procedures
• Support crews to complete their VDIs
• Update and send Vehicle/Equipment reports (e.g., key reconciliation, two-person crew)
• Coordinate vehicle parking upon return to site based on next deployment wave
• Assist with audits of pre and post shift checks (VDI checks, cleaning) and escalate issues to the Compliance Manager
• Complete end-of-shift checklist for vehicle, equipment and consumables; complete end-of-shift vehicle clean
• Complete visual inspections of equipment stored on vehicle units, with attention to service sticker dates; escalate to the engineering manager for out-of-date maintenance
• Check equipment aligns with asset register; escalate discrepancies to the compliance manager
• Refuel vehicles as instructed; jump start vehicles where necessary
• Complete pre-MOT checks to enhance MOT pass rate (tyres, mirrors, bulbs, etc.)
• Defrost windscreens ahead of crews to speed departure from site
• Manage the broken equipment ‘Quarantine’ area and ensure items are segregated, checked, labeled “Out of Service” and recorded
• Manage ‘Available for Service’ equipment area for repaired equipment and ensure equipment is swapped to appropriate areas (Red, Black, Yellow and Green)
• Identify defective vehicles and equipment; quarantine broken equipment and liaise with the Compliance Manager for repairs

Prepping vehicles

• Reconfigure vehicles (seats, stretchers, etc.)
• Replace cylinders on vehicles
• Ensure vehicles are fully stocked with consumables and remove excess consumables to the VMRO hut

Vehicle/Equipment maintenance

• Repair minor vehicle defects (bulbs, mirrors, wipers, etc.)
• Repair minor equipment defects (stretchers, carry chairs, wheelchairs, etc.)
• Coordinate vehicle repairs with the Compliance Manager and Mechanics
• Coordinate servicing & MOTs – take vehicles to and from workshops
• Identify new vehicle damage and report to the Compliance Manager
• Report body damage to the Compliance Manager
• Put AdBlue in vehicles
• Jump start vehicles where necessary
• Complete pre-MOT checks to enhance MOT pass rate (tyres, mirrors, bulbs, etc.)
• Defrost windscreens ahead of crews to speed up departure from site
• Manage the broken equipment quarantine area and ensure items are segregated, checked, labeled and recorded
• Identify defective vehicles and equipment and liaise with the Compliance Manager for repairs

Vehicle cleaning and infection control

• Complete external vehicle washing and documentation
• Complete deep clean washing and documentation
• Coordinate all external and deep cleans with the Fleet team and Compliance Manager
• Ensure mop heads are washed daily and replaced
• Use cleaning equipment and consumables as instructed to ensure effective cleaning and disinfection
• Clean and disinfect all internal areas of the vehicle following safe systems of work; remove equipment and consumables for cleaning
• Clean and disinfect all items of equipment taken off the vehicle prior to reinstalling it
• Follow procedures for cleaning vehicles after transporting patients with infectious diseases
• Ensure cleaning chemicals are secure and in date; store properly

Stores/Supplies

• Comply with COSHH regulations
• Conduct stock takes, receive and distribute stock inventory (consumables and equipment)
• Advise Compliance Manager of stock ordering requirements
• Complete stock takes of office areas, storeroom and VMRO hut when requested
• Manage first aid kits and provide replacement items
• Supervise deliveries and place items in correct locations
• Ensure Chemex supplies are in stock and inform the Compliance Manager when more stock is required
• Assist the base/station manager with administrative duties

General site H&S

• Conduct health, safety, security and cleanliness walk-arounds three times per day; ensure site is clean and tidy
• Complete a base cleaning walk-about daily
• Report site issues to the Compliance Manager and support with basic repairs
• Arrange collection of general and clinical waste; ensure correct waste in each bin
• Maintain VMRO and other storage areas to a high standard of organisation and cleanliness
• Replace toilet rolls and soaps daily
• Apply salt to walkways and applicable areas
• Clear all walkways
• Ensure uniform and PPE are worn in accordance with the organisation's workwear policy and laundered to maintain a professional image; request replacements as needed
• Undertake daily, weekly and monthly station cleaning checks and document accordingly; escalate concerns

Competencies

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to identify mistakes
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
• Be in good health and able to lift and carry equipment
• Computer literate
• Technical knowledge of medical equipment and consumables is an advantage but not essential

Personal Performance Indicators

• Stock levels remain within minimums
• Key equipment is in working order for all deployment waves
• Deep cleaning compliance at 95%
• All vehicles cleaned inside and out on a schedule (target 95%)
• All vehicles deployed within 15 minutes (target 95%)
• VDI completion at 95%
• CQC compliance and external inspection outcomes

General

1. Adhere to statutory regulations and organisational policies and procedures

1. Participate in staff development and mandatory training

1. Act in accordance with equality and diversity policies

1. Maintain integrity and professionalism towards clients and colleagues

1. Develop knowledge and skills and contribute to personal objectives

1. Undertake other duties relevant to the post as assigned

1. Maintain up-to-date Company policies and staff handbook

We offer

• A rewarding career at a reputable company
• £13.85 per hour with overtime enhancements
• Uniform provided
• Flu vaccination (winter, optional)
• Comprehensive Training and Induction Programme
• Pension scheme
• Enhanced DBS Check paid by the Company
• Blue Light Discount Card eligibility
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group participation
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 confidential support including counselling, medical information, family issues, stress, financial wellbeing and legal information

Notes: This description reflects the duties and responsibilities and may be updated as required. This job description is not exhaustive and duties may change to meet the needs of the service.