Senior Vehicle Preparation Operative (Bristol)

Transformationunitgm; Bristol; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust is seeking a Senior Vehicle Preparation Operative in Bristol. In this role, you will lead a team to ensure ambulances are thoroughly cleaned and stocked for emergency responses. You will play a critical role in adapting to increased patient demands, overseeing common practices like cleaning, refuelling, and inspecting vehicles. The ideal candidate will have supervisory experience along with at least three GCSEs, including English and Maths. The position offers extensive benefits including annual leave and career progression opportunities.

Benefits

27 days holiday after 1 year

Car leasing scheme

Free parking

Career progression

Pay enhancements for shift work

Wide range of discounts

Responsibilities

• Prepare ambulances to high standards for emergency calls.
• Clean and restock ambulances on a daily basis.
• Ensure patient safety through operational support.
• Check and inspect medical devices.
• Refuel vehicles and transport them as needed.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Customer care

Driving various types of vehicles

Stock checking

Infection control

Cleaning

Education

Minimum of 3 GCSEs at grade C or above including English and Maths

Leadership or supervisory qualification or equivalent experience

Full driving licence with maximum 3 penalty points

Category C1 on driving licence

Job description

Main area Vehicle Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (24/7 rotating working pattern with relief & integrated annual leave) Job ref 202-7652000

Employer South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Bristol Ambulance Station Town Bristol Salary £26,530 - £29,114 per annum per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 05/01/2026 23:59

Senior Vehicle Preparation Operative (Bristol)

NHS AfC: Band 4

Job overview

There has never been a better time to join the Trust’s Fleet and Equipment team as a Senior Vehicle Preparation Operative. Our Ambulance Vehicle Preparation (AVP) team play a vital role in ensuring our front line crews are ready and able to respond to emergency situations by preparing our vehicle fleet and equipment to high standards.

We are looking for committed people who can lead and motivate a small team of Vehicle Preparation Operatives to prepare ambulances to the highest standards for responding to emergency calls.

Main duties of the job

You will join our team during a period of transformation as we continue to implement the Ambulance Vehicle Preparation (AVP) service into Bristol. Historically, our teams performed a deep clean of an ambulance every 6 weeks. In contrast, AVP involves cleaning, restocking and refuelling ambulances every single day. We are implementing AVP because we need to adapt and change to respond to growing pressure from increasing patient demand levels and the expectation is that changing our ways of working will increase the availability of valuable resources for our patients.

The role also includes the cleaning and restocking of ambulances, working alongside our Vehicle Preparation Operatives. The team process ambulances in a prescribed and controlled way that ensures each ambulance is ready to treat patients. The role is a key operational support function which ensures patient safety whilst supporting Operations in meeting its targets. Main duties include detailed cleaning and infection prevention & control activities, checking and inspecting medical devices, restocking consumables, refuelling and driving vehicles across various locations. Further information about AVP is provided in this short video, https://vimeo.com/737833133/67b03c85c9 .

The role requires post holders to hold a current full driving licence. C1 category is preferred.

Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.

The role is based in Bristol, one of the most vibrant, attractive and historically interesting cities in England, with excellent transport links and a great mix of independent shops, cafes and bars.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples’ lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills and resources you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and enjoy continuous professional development.

• A standard working week of 37.5 hours
• Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
• Career and salary progression
• Car leasing scheme
• Free parking across Trust sites
• Staff networks
• Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Job description and Person Specification for more information about the role.

Person specification

Education and qualifications

• Minimum of 3 GCSE’s (or equivalent) at grade C or above including English and Maths;
• Leadership or supervisory qualification or equivalent experience;
• Full driving licence with maximum 3 penalty points;
• Holds category C1 on driving licence, or obtain (training can be provided in house)

Previous experience (paid/ unpaid relevant to job)

• Previous supervisory experience
• Experience of working within a public service or customer care environment
• Previous experience of driving various types of vehicles
• Experience in similar roles which may include stock checking and/or infection control/cleaning
• Evidence of supervisory experience

Employer certification / accreditation badges