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Job summary

Main area
Volunteer Driver
Grade
Volunteer (Expenses Reimbursed)
Contract
Voluntary
Hours
Flexible
Job ref
242-0004-25
Employer
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Town
Cumbria
Salary
Expenses Reimbursed
Closing
12/09/2025 23:59

Employer heading

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust logo

Volunteer Car Drivers Cumbria

Volunteer (Expenses Reimbursed)

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet our minimum selection criteria at each stage of the selection process. We will not tolerate discrimination on any of the following: gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, working pattern, caring responsibilities trade union activity or political beliefs-or any other grounds.

The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of staff from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. We encourage applications from all backgrounds to improve the diversity of our workforce and to better reflect the communities we serve to provide the right care, at the right time, in the right place; every time. 

The Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy early if a large number of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications received for our advertisements, we will only contact those candidates shortlisted for interview via email; we aim to do this within 4 weeks of the closing date. If you do not receive the email, it will be that you have not been shortlisting on this occasion. When applying for this position, it is essential that you read the job description and person specification fully. Please use the supporting information space to demonstrate your ability to undertake this role, drawing on your skills, knowledge and experience.

We also offers a range of excellent benefits including a pension scheme, up to 33 days Annual leave (exclusive of bank holidays), training and development opportunities, access to NHS discounts, Car Lease Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme, NHS Mortgages and Childcare Vouchers.

 

Job overview

Our Patient Transport Service operation is supported by an active and much valued cohort of Volunteer Car Drivers who operate throughout the North West. 

Volunteer Car Driversare volunteers who live and work in the local community and give up their time to assist our Patient Transport Service in transporting mobile patients to and from hospital appointments such as outpatients, radiotherapy, renal dialysis, etc.  This service is greatly relied on and appreciated by the patients we transport as demonstrated by the volume of compliment cards we receive. 

We currently have approximately 200 volunteers and are looking for people who live in the north west who would be willing to give their time to provide this service.  

The frequency and quantity of hours are flexible and determined by your availability. This is what is great about being a volunteer as you can choose to help out when it suits you.  

As a volunteer, you will not receive a salary however you will receive a mileage allowance of 45p per mile for all miles driven whilst volunteering.  In addition you would receive any out of pocket expenses such as car park fees, telephone calls and subsistence if you meet certain criteria. 

Volunteers notify their availability to the control room for the week ahead.  On that basis, details of the patients to be collected can be accessed through a secure online portal from 18:00hrs on the working day prior to transport.  On the day of the travel, the driver collects the patient and takes them to their appointment.  You may also be asked to return the same patient.  You will be required to note the pick up and drop off times as well as the mileage driven.  This is then used to report quality times and to support your expense claim.

Main duties of the job

 
  • Access allocated work on the day prior to travel via a secure online portal 

  • From the list of patients to be transported, plan the most efficient route with regard to arriving within time for their appointment   

  • On arrival at the patient’s place of residence, verify the patient and appointment details with patient, relative or carer

  • Notify Control of any changes to the appointment, requests for escorts or to advise if a patient is not travelling 

  • Escort the patient to and from the volunteer’s vehicle

  • Ensure patients are seated and secured by a seatbelt prior to all journeys with due regard to their health, modesty and comfort

  • Transport patients safely to their destination; maintain awareness of the condition of patients at all timesNotify control if there are any significant changes in the patient’s condition 

  • Driving their own vehicle in a safe and proper manner at all times, having due regard to the needs of the patients, the safety of other road-users, the conditions and the prevailing traffic regulations 

  • On arrival at the treatment centre or clinic, accompany the patient to the relevant department, and hand the patient over to ward or department staff

  • Receive additional work from the PTS Control or Liaison staff, as required carrying out such work between or following any other planned work. 

  • In accordance with Day Control/Liaison instructions, return patients to their place of residence as required, transporting them safely to their destinations by the most appropriate route

  • On arrival at place of residence, escort patient to the door or inside as necessary, 

  • On clearing allocated work, contact the Day Control / Liaison if additional work is required   

  • Maintain confidentiality of patient records at all times  

  • Securely dispose of any patient identifiable information in accordance with Trust Policies 

  • Note all pick up and drop off times accurately for all patients transported 

  • Submit quality time information on a daily basis via a secure online portal 

  • Submit expense claims on a monthly basis in accordance to the policies and procedures 

  • In the event of being the first vehicle on scene of an accident, inform Control and wait for arrival of EMS ambulance, Police etc. 

  • Maintain Volunteer registration by notifying the VCS Administration team of any change of circumstance 

  • Provide copies of insurance / Road Tax, Driving Licence (via the online facility) and any other associated documents in order to maintain volunteer status 

  • Act within acceptable parameters as a volunteer for the Trust, having regard to the applicable ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (MOU) for your role and ensuring own practice is in accordance with this & Trust policies  

  • To contribute positively to the Trust’s Quality & Performance through achieving applicable contractual Key Performance Indicators 

  • To contribute to a healthy, safe and secure working environment by adhering to health and safety regulations, MOU/Trust policies, procedures and guidance 

  • To act in ways that support equality and diversity and the rights of individuals, ensuring own practice is in accordance with MOU/Trust policies. Identify and take action when own or others’ action undermines equality and diversity 

  • To raise concerns around risk, malpractice or wrongdoing at work, which may affect patients, staff or the organisation, at the earliest reasonable opportunity 

  • To abide by the NHS values and the NHS Constitution,  all staff must maintain the highest standards of care and service, treating every individual with compassion, dignity and respect, taking responsibility not only for the care you personally provide, but also for your wider contribution to the aims of your team and the NHS as a whole 

  • Complete online mandatory training within the required timescales on an annual basis 

 

Right to work - You will be required to provide a valid right to work in the UK document. North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust are only able to provide sponsorship to health care professionals under the shortage occupation list for healthcare This list can be found here Skilled Worker visa: shortage occupations for healthcare and education - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Person specification

Good Communication skills

Essential criteria
  • Provide example within supporting information section

Genuine passion to support communities

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of interest of local community
Desirable criteria
  • Previous volunteer experience

Be a Motivated, Reliable, understanding individual that has patience and a caring attitude

Essential criteria
  • Evidence description in supporting information and in interview

Access to the internet and email

Essential criteria
  • Confirmation provided within the supporting information section

Has access to four door vehicle

Essential criteria
  • Able to provide vehicle log book

Full driving licence

Essential criteria
  • Able to provide driving licence

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveDisability confident leaderImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.The Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Race at WorkDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldApprenticeships Top 100 Employers 2024ENEI 2024 Gold

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Adella Dove and Hamida Esat
Job title
Assurance Coordinator
Email address
[email protected]
Additional information

[email protected] 

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