Ambulance jobs in Nottinghamshire

Job Purpose

We are seeking reliable, organised and detail-focused Make Ready Operatives to join our private ambulance service.

Location: Linby
Contract: Full-time
Shift Pattern: 4 on 4 off, 12 hour shifts, a mixture of days, lates and nights

The Make Ready Operative is responsible for ensuring that all operational vehicles are safe, clean, fully stocked, correctly equipped and ready for deployment.

The role combines vehicle preparation, daily vehicle inspections, equipment checks, stock management and general operational readiness. The successful candidate will ensure that each vehicle is seen and checked at least once every 48 hours, with all required checks accurately recorded using the company's digital systems.

This is a critical role in ensuring our frontline crews have safe, compliant and fully prepared vehicles available to deliver high-quality patient care.

Key Responsibilities

Vehicle Make Ready

• Ensure every operational vehicle is physically checked and made ready at least once every 48 hours.
• Carry out vehicle preparation in accordance with company procedures and operational requirements.
• Ensure vehicles are clean, tidy, secure and ready for deployment.
• Complete the required vehicle daily inspection and report any defects immediately.
• Check vehicle fluid levels, including:
• Engine oil
• Screenwash
• Coolant
• AdBlue, where applicable
• Other vehicle fluids as required
• Check fuel levels and ensure vehicles are adequately fuelled and ready for operational use.
• Check vehicle lights, indicators, tyres, mirrors, windscreen, wipers and other essential vehicle components.
• Identify and report any vehicle defects, damage or maintenance requirements.
• Ensure reported defects are appropriately escalated and vehicles are not placed into service where they are considered unsafe.
• Ensure vehicles are correctly positioned, secured and available for operational deployment.

Equipment Checks

• Check all clinical and operational equipment within vehicles to ensure it is:
• Present
• Clean
• Secure
• In good working order
• Within service/calibration dates where applicable
• Within expiry dates where applicable
• Carry out required user testing of equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions and company procedures.
• Complete day-to-day equipment checks and identify any equipment requiring maintenance, repair, replacement or servicing.
• Ensure equipment is correctly stored and secured within the vehicle.
• Report missing, damaged, faulty or defective equipment immediately.
• Ensure equipment requiring charging is connected and maintained in an operational state.
• Ensure vehicle equipment remains compliant with company requirements and relevant clinical/operational standards.

Stock and Consumables

• Ensure all vehicles are fully stocked and ready for deployment.
• Check consumable stock levels and replenish items as required.
• Check expiry dates on all relevant consumables and equipment.
• Remove expired, damaged or unsuitable stock from operational vehicles.
• Rotate stock appropriately to minimise waste.
• Ensure consumables are stored correctly and securely.
• Maintain appropriate stock levels and notify management of shortages or recurring supply issues.
• Complete stock checks accurately using the company's digital systems.

Vehicle Cleanliness and Presentation

• Maintain a high standard of cleanliness and presentation throughout the vehicle.
• Carry out or arrange interim and deeper cleaning where required.
• Ensure clinical areas, driver compartments, storage areas and equipment surfaces are appropriately cleaned.
• Ensure vehicles are free from unnecessary rubbish, waste and clutter.
• Identify vehicles requiring additional cleaning or specialist attention and escalate accordingly.
• Work in accordance with company infection prevention and control procedures and relevant NHS guidance.

Digital Recording and Compliance

• Accurately complete all vehicle inspection, equipment, stock and make-ready records.
• Use company-issued tablets, smartphones or other digital systems to record completed checks.
• Ensure all checks are completed contemporaneously and accurately.
• Maintain clear records of defects, equipment failures, stock shortages and actions taken.
• Ensure vehicles are not marked as ready until all required checks have been completed.
• Follow company policies and procedures at all times.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with relevant data protection requirements.

General Operational Duties

• Carry out day-to-day make-ready duties as directed by the Make Ready Supervisor or Operations Manager.
• Support the operational team with vehicle movements and positioning where required.
• Assist with vehicle changeovers, vehicle allocation and preparation for operational deployment.
• Support the management of keys, vehicle documentation and associated operational equipment.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organised make-ready area.
• Assist with audits and inspections of vehicles, equipment and stock.
• Report any concerns that may affect operational readiness immediately.
• Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential

• Full UK C1 driving licence.
• Experience in vehicle preparation, fleet, logistics, healthcare, transport, facilities or a similar operational environment is desirable.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow structured checklists.
• Ability to identify defects, faults, missing equipment and expired stock.
• Good understanding of the importance of vehicle safety and operational readiness.
• Comfortable using smartphones, tablets and digital recording systems.
• Able to accurately complete electronic documentation.
• Good organisational and time-management skills.
• Reliable, punctual and able to work independently.
• Able to work effectively as part of an operational team.
• Physically capable of carrying out vehicle and equipment checks, including bending, lifting, reaching and moving equipment.
• Willing to work days, nights, weekends and public holidays as part of the 4 on 4 off, 12 hour shifts, a mixture of days, lates and nights.
• Professional and responsible approach to vehicle and equipment safety.

Desirable

• Previous experience within an ambulance, patient transport, healthcare or NHS environment.
• Previous experience in a Make Ready or similar vehicle preparation role.
• Knowledge of ambulance or specialist vehicle equipment.
• Experience carrying out vehicle daily inspections.
• Experience checking vehicle fluids and identifying basic vehicle defects.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control requirements.
• Experience carrying out equipment user checks or functional testing.
• Experience with stock management and expiry-date control.
• Previous professional C1 driving experience.
• Knowledge of NHS or healthcare vehicle and equipment standards.

Working Environment

The role is based within an operational ambulance environment and involves working both indoors and outdoors.

The Make Ready Operative may be required to work in all weather conditions and undertake physical duties associated with checking and preparing ambulances.

The role may involve working with clinical equipment, cleaning products, clinical waste and potentially contaminated items. Appropriate PPE, training and procedures will be provided.

The successful candidate must be comfortable working to deadlines and prioritising vehicles according to operational requirements.

Performance Standards

The successful Make Ready Operative will be expected to ensure:

• Every operational vehicle is seen and checked within a 48-hour period.
• Daily vehicle inspections are completed accurately.
• Vehicle fluid levels are checked and maintained appropriately.
• Defects are identified, recorded and escalated promptly.
• Vehicles are fully stocked and deployment-ready.
• Consumable and equipment expiry dates are routinely checked.
• All required equipment is present, secure and operational.
• Equipment user testing is completed as required.
• All checks and actions are accurately recorded using the company's digital systems.
• Vehicles are not released for operational use where safety or equipment requirements have not been met.

Our Expectations

The Make Ready Operative plays a fundamental role in ensuring that our frontline crews can start their shifts with confidence, knowing that their vehicle is safe, clean, fully equipped, correctly stocked and ready to respond.

We are looking for individuals who are meticulous, dependable and take personal pride in maintaining high standards. The successful candidate will understand that attention to detail can have a direct impact on the safety of patients, crews and the wider public.

A "make ready" mindset is essential: if something is missing, expired, damaged, faulty or unsafe, it must be identified, addressed and recorded before the vehicle is considered ready for service.

Benefits:

• Company pension
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance

Experience:

• Driving: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Category C1 Licence (required)
• Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person