Job summary

Exciting volunteering opportunities have arisen within East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust for successful applicants to join the growing team of Community First Responders.

As a volunteer you will be expected to complete a minimum of 16 hours per month on call ready to respond to 999 calls on behalf of the Trust, providing assessment care and treatment until the arrival of and Ambulance clinician. As a Community First Responder, you will also be expected to raise funds to support your Scheme. The role is highly rewarding and offers opportunities to meet new people and learn valuable lifesaving skills

Main duties of the role

Applicants will live or work in the area they respond and have a good local knowledge of the area. Upon selection you will be affiliated with a local Scheme as directed by the Trust. You will receive the appropriate training to respond to 999 calls and to provide basic life support and initial care as a first responder on scene until the arrival of an emergency Ambulance. You will respond in either the schemes own response vehicle or your own car . CFR's do not have exemptions to use blue lights or audible warning devices.

A Community Response scheme is made up of volunteers who within the community they live are trained to attend emergency calls on behalf of the Ambulance Service, they may also provide awareness to the community in Basic Life Support and the use of a defibrillator.

As a Volunteer Community Responder, you would provide this community-based service, willingly and without pay.

Applicants will have a good level of fitness to perform the role of a CFR and a full UK driving license held for at least one year, with no more than 3 current penalty points. Applicants should also have good communication skills, a willingness to learn and help others

All applicants will be invited to meet their local scheme coordinator prior to proceeding with the application, this is to ensure they understand the role and that they are the right fit for the scheme.

Job responsibilities

To attend emergency calls and provide care to patients within the defined call out criteria for their scope of practice when activated by Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)

CFRs are entitled to decline any incident they are requested to attend based on their dynamic risk assessment

CFRs must handover patient information to an ambulance resource upon their arrival

To have a calm and confident approach, which will provide reassurance to both the patient and their relatives

Always adopt a professional approach and adhere to EMAS Trust values

To use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and other Trust approved equipment when necessary

Complete paperwork/report as appropriate e.g. Patient Report Form (PRF).

Will be required to attend a mandatory annual post qualification update

Communicate with scheme coordinator on a minimum of a monthly basis

Adhere to CFR related EMAS Trust policies and procedures

Adhere to patient confidentiality at all times

Notify Community Response Team of any identified potential risks, hazards or incidents for appropriate reporting

When tasked to an emergency a CFR must adhere to the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984 at all times and do not have the right to claim exemptions

Identify and refer Safeguarding issues in line with the Safeguarding procedure