Ambulance Vehicle Engineer - Willenhall Workshop

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 recruitment@wmas.nhs.uk 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.

To provide high standard vehicle

servicing and repairs to vehicles, specialist ambulance equipment, both owned

& leased, operated by the Trust. Ensuring that all repairs meet trust

policy. Pre inspect vehicles for M.O.T

and rectify any defects. Carry out minor accident repairs. All work to be

completed within a timely and cost effective manner.

Plan and prioritise daily workloads, to

ensure maximum vehicle availability. Carry out scheduled and unplanned

maintenance (due to vehicle breakdowns and defects). Working alone or as part

of a team to meet time pressure deadlines.

Emergency Vehicle Engineers are expected

to communicate the necessary required parts for completion of a cost effective

and prompt repair. Communication, via the line manager, stores persons or

external parts suppliers. Authorised to approve and raise purchase orders up to

£350.00p. Responsible for the re-ordering of spares, stock and the upkeep of

stock records using the Fleet Department Fleetwave computer software system.

To accept delivery of any parts and sign

for invoices and delivery in the event that there is no Line Manager or Parts

Personnel on site to sign for the goods.

Regularly update and complete all

necessary documentation relating to each job carried out. Accurately producing

vehicle records of maintenance on the fleet management system. Producing job

cards, entering hours worked, parts used and closing job cards in accordance

with workshop procedures. This work is completed primarily using Fleetwave on desktop

or Ipad trust devices.

Effective communication to maintain

professional, effective working relationships with colleagues, all trust staff

and external agencies. Ability to communicate technical terminology to both

skilled and non-skilled persons. The role requires negotiation and persuasive

skills in order to provide guidance to Ambulance personnel who may be carrying

out daily vehicle checks or have questions relating to vehicle defects and

safety.

Maintain a high level of communication with

warranty companies, externally contracted garages and body shops abiding by the

Trusts policies, using email, telephone or face to face interactions.

Responsible for maintaining compliance

of safe working practices within the workshop environment. Including Health and

Safety, Fire Regulations, COSHH and current EV regulations. Reporting any

concerns, near misses and breaches of regulations to the Area Workshop Manager,

Chargehand or the trusts Incident Reporting system. Ensure correct disposal of

environmentally hazardous waste, in line with current legislation. Risk of

exposure to chemicals, fumes and other particles, and working in confined

spaces.

Must be able to diagnose and assess a

range of different vehicles with varying degrees of complexity due to design. The

role requires the use of specialist electronic diagnostic equipment and

diagnostic software used frequently to identify complex faults within

specialist ambulance vehicles and equipment.

The job is often mentally demanding due

to technical problem solving and requires a high degree of concentration to

undertake proficient repairs. Due to the complexity of modern vehicle systems

and associated complex technical data, along with the integration of specialist

vehicle equipment.

A high level of dexterity and accuracy

will be required to diagnose and repair systems using specialist tools, with

the addition of, at times, confined access. Precision work may include use of

soldering irons, fine screw drivers, multimeters and borescopes.

Use professional knowledge and judgement

to fault diagnose and recommend the most appropriate outcome. The ability to

work without supervision and make decisions regarding vehicles or equipment is

essential. Engineers will autonomously remove defective vehicles and equipment,

rectify faults and return them to operational service.

Recognise that recurring faults on

vehicles need to be highlighted and linked with research and development

initiatives collated by the fleet support engineer.

Undertake bespoke fabrication work to

specialist vehicles, parts and equipment that is no longer available and their associated

fittings. With the use of welding and various chemical and mechanical

processes. Undertake modifications to vehicles and ambulance specialist

equipment as and when required.

Must be fully conversant with the

operation and use of the following equipment and machinery, includes:

MIG Welder, Cutting and Grinding

Equipment, Tyre Machine and Balancer, Four and Two Poster Lifts, Vehicle Parts

Press, Non-flame Induction Heating Torch, Air Conditioning, Axle Stands,

Pneumatic and Electric Tools and Electrical Diagnostic Equipment and Computer

Systems.

Service and repair of internal

coachwork, such as equipment storage, cupboards, vehicle doors, fixings and

trims, handles, runners, steps, specialised seating, hydraulic gas struts,

saloon water leaks and high voltage strobe lights. Repair of ambulance

electrical systems: specialist power management systems and power supplies to

various specialist ambulance equipment

Service and repair of specialist ambulance

equipment. These include: Stretchers, carry chairs, scoops, auxiliary heaters,

air con systems, air/hydraulic suspension units.

Manual handling requirements allow for the

manoeuvre and lifting of heavy and large vehicle parts, which are often heavier

than 15kg without the use of specialist equipment, whilst working within manual

handling safety procedures.

Undertake the fitting and inspection of

tyres in line with the Trusts Policy. Knowledge of TPMS (Tyre Pressure

Monitoring System) for service, inspection and programming.

Where instructed, undertake appropriate

commission or decommission of vehicles for operational use. Fitting or removal

of livery, internal equipment, light bars and ancillary components.

Demonstration of a high level of auto electrical awareness and related

technical ability is required.

Arrange appointments and pre-inspect

vehicles for DVSA testing, as per the

Ministry of Transport Testers manual. Collect and deliver vehicles to the MOT

testing stations as well as other independent garages and alternate Ambulance

Hubs, when required.

Travel to and work from workshops within

the WMAS area, for relief/cover, as & when required. Responsible for

visiting all Trust sites on a daily basis, as directed by the chargehand/Area

Workshop Manager, for the purpose of rectifying any vehicle faults.

Attend the scene of vehicle breakdowns

to undertake repairs and enable the return of vehicles to workshops. This may

include attending motorways and rural settings, working in all weather

conditions.

Will take responsibility for the

allocated repair of vehicles to a recognised technical standard and approve their

roadworthy condition, post repair, by road testing.

All individuals have a responsibility,

under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently published

regulations, to ensure that the Trusts health and safety policies and

procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for

visitors and employees. All staff have a duty to protect their own health and

safety and that of other persons who may be affected by their acts or

omissions. To report any building or equipment defects using the Trusts

reporting mechanism.

The Post-holder will be required to

attend training courses, either externally or internally to continue their

professional development and competency within a specialist field. The service

also offers staff the opportunity of personal development plans, within the

knowledge and skills framework of the NHS.

The post-holder is required to have

specialist knowledge across a wide range of practices and procedures in

relation to vehicle engine and vehicle body manufacturers, including engine,

brakes, suspension, electrics, blue, lights, sirens, dispatch, heaters,

communications, and control units.

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.

Qualifications

Skills and Knowledge

Experience