Fleet Multi Skilled Workshop Technician

Job overview

To service, repair and maintain a diverse fleet of vehicles and specialist ambulance equipment to emergency use standards, using the requisite skills and expertise in line  with current Health and Safety legislation.  To work without close supervision to the highest standards to achieve acceptable levels of quality on vehicles specifically and distinctly designed for the London Ambulance Service.

A C1 driving licence is desirable on appointment; however, the successful candidate will be required to obtain this within 12 months of commencing employment

Main duties of the job

The post holder is primarily employed to provide emergency repairs and routine maintenance of the NHS Trust’s fleet of over 1000 emergency and non-emergency vehicles.   The post holder is required to carry out efficiently, and to the required manufacturers and Trust standards, the servicing, repair and maintenance of a range of vehicles from ambulance and non- ambulance service vehicles to Light Commercial and Heavy Goods vehicles and cars from various vehicle manufacturers.   This work is normally undertaken in the Trust Workshops, but may be carried out at Trust stations or roadside locations, as the need arises.   In addition, the post holder undertakes maintenance and repair work on vehicles and various items of specialised equipment as per accreditation, carrying out welding (arc/ mig/ gas) and fabricating work and reproduce / fabricate, construct the part that is no longer available as required and where appropriate, seek advice on the specification of the part to be produced to ensure that it is fit for purpose and meets Health and Safety  requirements.

Also includes general maintenance of workshop equipment, tools and  awareness of Health and Safety

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder is responsible to the Workshop manager for day-to-day work allocation and supervision, (but be able to make own decisions in the absence of a Workshop Manager, make necessary arrangements and order parts when deputising for the Workshop Manager) and is accountable to senior Managers in the Fleet Department.  Close liaison is required with Workshop colleagues, and also with staff from other departments and suppliers on occasions.  To work alongside colleagues, providing support and training as necessary to cascade technical training and updates on many different aspects of the vehicle and the vehicle conversion. This would include the training of apprentices.  Supervising apprentices as required.  The post holder will be expected to communicate complex technical issues and legal safety requirements to get a user to carry on driving the vehicle or stop driving the vehicle.   Interpret and implement technical service data and statutory maintenance standards to ensure that all work performed is in excess of the minimum standard defined.  Using modern electronic diagnostic equipment to determine the cause or causes of reported malfunctions in vehicles, components or systems.  Using IT equipment to record the work completed.  Examine, inspect and rectify ambulance and equipment faults including functional testing together with their scheduled servicing.  The post holder will be required to regularly concentrate for long periods of time for fault  finding, inspections and interruptions to deal with emergencies.   Service, maintain, adjust or repair vehicles and their components to emergency standards utilising the necessary tools, equipment and facilities in a safe and efficient manner.  Manufacture simple component parts, using hand tools or other machinery provided, to a high standard and performance.  Use of complex tools and equipment for setting steering geometry following steering and suspension repairs, ensuring 100% accuracy to prevent uneven tyre wear, vehicle handling issues, such as pulling.   Keep up to date with vehicle developments.  As part of your training and development you will be required to attend training courses as and when necessary. The service also offers staff the opportunity of personal development plans, within the Knowledge and skills framework of the NHS.  Liaise on technical issues and to work alongside manufactures as and when the need arises.  Report in a timely manner on vehicle defects, accident damage and other issues related to vehicles or workshops to the Workshop Manager and Fleet Support Manager.  Apply the Trust’s policies in respect of maintenance practice and standards and ensure that maximum benefit is obtained in terms of equipment available and to ensure economic use of materials minimising total maintenance costs.  Prepare vehicles to Ministry of Transport tests at Class IV and VII standards as per the Ministry of Transport tester’s manual and to adhere to all statutory requirements relating to vehicles.  Ensure that all jobs are completed within industry set times (ICME) Institute of Chartered Mechanical Engineers and liaise with the Workshop Managers on any delays