Senior Vehicle Preparation Operative (Barnstaple)
At a glance
- Band
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 22/09/2026
- Closes
- 06/10/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Candidates needing sponsorship are encouraged to apply.
HiveMind found a sponsorship-friendly statement in the source advert welcoming applicants who require a visa. Always confirm on the source before applying.
“Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This role involves leading a small team of Vehicle Preparation Operatives to ensure ambulances are cleaned, restocked, and refuelled to high standards daily. You will contribute to patient safety by processing ambulances in a controlled way, including detailed cleaning, infection control, checking medical devices, and driving vehicles. The position is crucial for ensuring front-line crews have ready vehicles for emergency responses. It's part of a transformation initiative to increase ambulance availability.
Essential criteria
- 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)
Desirable criteria
- Infection Prevention Control qualification
- 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
- 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)
- Infection Prevention Control qualification
- 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
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 4 at £26,530 – £29,114 a year, across England.
This advert: £27,485 – £30,162 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Vehicle Preparation Operative (Barnstaple)
The closing date is 06 October 2026
Job summary
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 Preparati
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