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Volunteer Car Drivers

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 Cumbria who would be willing to give their time to provide this service. We are looking for volunteers with availability between the hours of 06:00am and 09:00pm.

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

*If you live in Lancaster, Forton, Carnforth or Morecambe please apply through Cumbria advert 242-0612*

*If you live in Oldham, Rochdale, Wigan, Warrington or Bolton please apply through Manchester advert 242-0615*

*If you live in St Helens, Southport, Hesketh bank or Skelmersdale please apply through Merseyside advert 242-0614*

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 for a meal for any journeys exceeding 100 miles in one direction.

Requirements

To apply to become a volunteer the applicant must have;

• Access to a four door car

• Fully comprehensive Insurance to carry patients and indemnity to operate as a volunteer

• No more than six points on their licence

• Enhanced DBS check 

• Have access to the internet and email

Recruitment Process

Applications are made via TRAC and will follow the process below;

• Shortlist (subject to pre- assessment)

• Virtual Interview 

• Enhanced DBS & 2 Satisfactory references

• Induction

What training will you receive?

Volunteers attend induction training. This covers topics such as;

• The driver handbook

• Overview of the Patient Transport Service

• Allocation of journeys

• Safe practice

• Documentation – Completion and submission

• Month End procedures

Volunteers must complete online mandatory training modules. This covers topics such as;

• Safeguarding of adults and children

• Basic Life Support

• Health And safety

• Moving and Handling

• Information Governance 

• Conflict resolution

• PREVENT

• Infection prevention & Control

Ongoing Checks

Once a volunteer has been accepted, the following checks will be undertaken on a regular basis;

• Driving Licence check 

• MOT/ Tax check (Annual)

• Insurance check (Annual- Certificate supplied by driver)

• DBS Check

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)

Any offer of employment may be withdrawn if you knowingly withhold information, provide false or misleading information.

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.

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)

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.

From 1^st September 2018, Section 2 of the Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions will automatically apply to the calculation of unsocial hours  for all appointments that commence in post from this date (except secondments).

If you do not have regular access to your email please contact a member of the HR Hub Team on 03451122018.