Volunteer Car Drivers Manchester

North West Ambulance Service Nhs Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare service is seeking Volunteer Car Drivers in Manchester to transport patients to medical appointments. Responsibilities include verifying patient details, planning efficient routes, and ensuring patients' safety during transport. While this is a volunteer position, you will receive mileage reimbursement and other out-of-pocket expenses. Ideal candidates should be flexible and dedicated to assisting the community.

Benefits

Mileage allowance

Access to NHS discounts

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Living in the North West to assist with patient transport.
• Ability to plan and drive a safe route for patients.
• Capacity to maintain confidentiality and follow Trust policies.

Responsibilities

• Transport patients safely to their appointments.
• Verify patient details before transport.
• Submit expense claims and quality time information.

Job description

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 Drivers are 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 times. Notify 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, Should you be successful at interview stage successful candidates will receive a conditional offer of employment, this will be subject to the NHS Employment Checks Standards.
A valid right to work and identity check
Reference checks - This will cover a minimum of a three year period and will include a request for the number of days and occasions of sickness absence covering a minimum two year period. In line with equality legislation, the earliest point at which we will ask health related questions is when an offer of employment has been made. Absences related to disability may be excluded from these considerations; consideration would be given as to what would be a reasonable attendance level, based on the information available. Absences related to pregnancy, maternity and/or gender reassignment will be excluded from these considerations. Detailed information on the NHS Employment Checks Standards is available on the NHS Employers website; search 'employment checks'.
DBS Checks - If the post is subject to DBS disclosure, a charge will be made for this disclosure.
Occupational Health - You will require satisfactory medical clearance.
Whilst not a condition of employment, all staff are encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as this remains the best lined of defence against COVID-19.

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)

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.