Job summary
Ambulance Care Assistants roles in Hampshire (Havant)
Could you reassure a patient with dementia on their way to a hospital appointment?
Can you keep your cool when there's bumper to bumper traffic that might make you late to collect your next patient?
Are you resilient enough to transport a patient who is coping with a terminal illness?
Our Ambulance Care Assistants are highly trained, caring professionals, treating our patients with kindness, empathy, and dignity on their way to and from appointments.
There's a lot of driving, plenty of lifting and helping patients into our vehicles, and always loads of caring.
It's not a glamorous job, but it's such an important one.
To be a part of our team and work in a privileged and trusted role with members of the public, you'll need to be a people person, have empathy and patience. You do not need to have a medical background, just a desire to help.
As lifting is an integral part of the role, looking after yourself, keeping fit and strong should also be a priority for you.
If this sounds like a challenge you'll relish, we want to hear from you!
Please see the additional information document attached to the advert for information on our exciting joining bonus.
Main duties of the job
The Role:
1. Taking patients to and from their medical appointments and treating them with dignity.
2. Moving and lifting patients who need help.
3. Driving a long wheel-base vehicle with manual transmission.
4. Shift Work. You'll work a variety of shifts from 0600-midnight, both on your own and with a colleague.
5. Full time role is hours a week.
The Ambulance Care Assistant (ACA) role is a gateway into the Ambulance Service. People who join as an ACA can go on to be Team Leaders or Managers within their area or move to work in the frontline teams or one of the many supports and corporate teams.
About us
Benefits we offer:
6. Full training and support when you join and ongoing throughout your employment with us.
7. Holiday entitlement is 27 days rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years, plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata for part time).
8. Enrolment into the NHS Pension Scheme.
9. Access to continual professional development and opportunities within SCAS and the NHS.
10. Occupational Health support along with an Employee Assistance Programme.
11. NHS Discounts in over 200+ stores including Holidays, Days out, Car insurance, Restaurants and Clothing.
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of emergency, urgent care and non-emergency healthcare services, along with commercial logistics services.
The Trust delivers most of these services to the populations of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, and Oxfordshire as well as non-emergency patient transport services in Sussex.
We serve a population of over 7 million and answer over 500,000 urgent calls a year. We employ 4,551 staff who, together with over 1,100 volunteers, enable us to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Job description
Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
12. To undertake driving duties of relevant type of Ambulance vehicle to the required standard subject to appropriate training, driving vehicles carefully with every consideration being given to the passenger, any equipment, the vehicle itself, other road users and comply with the Highway Code and Trust Policy guidelines and current Legislation.
13. The Ambulance Care Assistant will be expected to plan their journeys, considering patient appointment timings along with the routes that they should take to ensure an efficient and effective service.
14. The Ambulance Care Assistant is required to undertake daily vehicle checks to ensure that the ambulance vehicle is roadworthy these checks shall include for example. Oil, Water, Fuel, Tyre Pressure and Tyre Tread condition, Lights, Warning Devices etc. any defect to be reported using vehicle defect book and record on any computerised system as required in accordance with Policies and Procedures.
15. To carry out vehicle equipment checks and restock as required at the start of duty in accordance with Trust Policy and Procedures, ensuring that the ambulance vehicle is properly kitted, cleaned (paying particular attention to infection control) and stocked, faults and omissions reported and all appropriate recording procedures completed.
16. To operate any communication system supplied/fitted/ operated by the Trust in accordance with its Policies and Procedures.
17. To administer ambulance nursing to an appropriate skill level in accordance with training received. This will not include the administration of Oxygen or related therapies outside of the skill set for this role.
18. To use the Moving Patient equipment provided: this will include the use of all types of carrying equipment such as chairs, stretcher, lifting aids etc. This will require the post holder to risk assess the best way to undertake the moving of patients taking into consideration their needs, both medical and cultural and to follow Health and Safety and other appropriate protocols and procedures.
19. To manoeuvre patients into ambulance vehicles using either the patients wheelchair or ambulance vehicle equipment and safely secure the patient and their equipment within the vehicle for the duration of the journey to and from treatment centres.
20. To transport patients using such assistance as may be required to and from treatment centres as required/specified according to pre-determined schedules working to such contractual standards that may be in place. This will include End of Life patients.
21. To promote and maintain good internal and external communications links with patients, colleagues and associated services and health service colleagues to provide and support a positive patient experience.
22. To report any untoward incident immediately in accordance with Trust Policy.
23. To report any incidences of risk, neglect, abuse or endangerment to vulnerable children or adults in accordance with Trust Safeguarding policy/procedure.
24. To ensure that all clinical waste is disposed of according to Trust policy and current legislation.
25. To undertake all statutory and mandatory training commensurate with the role of an Ambulance Care Assistant.
26. To use all Trust equipment, facilities and premises in a careful, proper and mindful manner paying due regard to safety and security at all times.
27. To be responsible for the security of patients property and patients valuables during the transportation and hand-over at their destination.
28. To maintain competency to operate all equipment and information systems used during the course of duties, ensuring the efficient and effective operation of equipment, and the safe use of equipment at all times, reporting faults in the appropriate manner.
29. To wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) both uniform and additional kit supplied by the Trust as required to support Infection Prevention and Control during normal duties in their role. The equipment should be kept clean and tidy and worn to the required standard in accordance with the Trusts Policies and Procedures.
30. To participate in the Trusts response to major incidents and pandemics and any such duties as directed.
31. To accurately complete and administer information and documentation as necessary and in accordance with current General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) requirements.
32. To comply with all the Trusts Polices and Procedures, including participation in the Trust appraisal scheme.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
33. Full manual UK Driving Licence with no more than 3 points for speeding (any offence relating to drink/drugs on the licence will be rejected)
Desirable
34. 3 GCSE's at grade C or above (or equivalent) to include Maths and English
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
35. Previous experience of working in a customer care role
36. Previous experience of using online systems and email
Desirable
37. Previous experience of working with patients or clients in a care setting
38. Previous shift working experience
39. Previous NHS experience