About this role
We are currently looking for Ambulance Driver to join our St John’s Hospice Palliative Ambulance crew.
Based within the charitable St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, St John’s Hospice provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care to people living with life-limiting illnesses, as well as support for those closest to them. Each year, the Hospice cares for around 5,000 people across North, West and Central London.
Services include inpatient care, day services, community specialist palliative care, Hospice@Home, Lymphoedema care, social work and welfare support, therapies, carer support and bereavement support.
All care is provided free of charge. It costs more than £8 million each year to deliver these services, funded through the NHS, the Hospital and the generosity of the local community.
Am I the right person for this Ambulance Driver St John’s Hospice role?
- Clean Driving Licence Class 1.
- Basic First Aid is desirable.
- Experience in patient or vulnerable adult transport in some capacity.
- Knowledge in the use of transport and communication aids (eg satellite navigation, hands free mobile).
- Knowledge of the workings and basic maintenance of vehicles used to deliver service.
- Experience in the use of hard copy and/or database booking and recording systems and structures is desirable.
- Experience of working with palliative care patients.
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Understanding of scheduling and organisational structures and tools.
- Able to demonstrate and understanding of the work of the hospice and the needs of patients being cared for is desirable.
- Able to work without direct supervision.
- Motivated and Enthusiastic.
- Flexibility to work additional hours as necessary re safe transport of vulnerable adults.
What are the key responsibilities?
- Take responsibility on a daily basis on arrival, to be fully informed of the requirements of the ambulance crew regarding the transport and transfers of patients that may include: Home to Hospice, Hospital to Hospice, Hospice to Home as well as appointments and transfers that are requested from St John’s Hospice through the Hospice Inpatient Unit.
- Be available throughout the day to respond promptly to both planned and unplanned patient transport and transfer requests in liaison with the Hospice Wellbeing Centre Manager, Hospice Wellbeing Centre Deputy Manager and Specialist Nurse for Referrals and Discharge.
- Take responsibility where identified for contacting patients or carers, as appropriate, to inform them of pick up times and any potential delays in picking up a patient prior to starting out and while en route, as required. This may include Covid screening questions by phone prior to collection.
- Ensure there is clear, proper, prompt and safe communication with the Hospice Wellbeing Centre Team at all times in transit or on-site within the hospice environment (e.g., by mobile phone).
- Liaise closely with the hospice clinical team in the event of any significant changes in the patient’s condition or changes to plans for the transfer of a patient.
- Understand the requirements in relation to plans for managing patients who deteriorate in transit and how this will be managed, ensuring that all the necessary documentation is in place to support the plan of care e.g. DNACPR, transport risk assessments and other relevant documentation.
- Ensure that a log of all transfers and any notable events are clearly and appropriately communicated and documented.
- Take responsibility for the maintenance/checking and replacement of equipment, supplies and disposable items in the ambulance.
- Ensure all hard copy information and data is stored safely on site and if applicable removed from the ambulance when stationary / on site.
- Report facts related to incidents and accidents while on duty and particularly during the transport and transfer of patients and carers in the manner set out in hospital and hospice policies and procedures.
Why apply for this role?
At our organisation we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our employees a wide range of benefits;
- Salary: Competitive pay with progressive band structuring.
- Pension: Contributory pension schemes including continuation of your existing NHS pension.
- Annual leave: A generous 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Health and well-being: Private healthcare cover of up to £20,000 per year, eye care vouchers, access to free, confidential one-to-one counselling, on-site Mental Health First Aiders and Freedom to Speak Up Champions.
- Learning and development: Ongoing training and development programmes, external study leave and grants available up to £1,500.
- Flexible working: Flexible working arrangements regardless of length of service.
- Travel: Cycle to work scheme and interest-free season ticket loans.
- Discounts: Discounts at our on-site pharmacy, charity shop and a range of local, national and online shops, restaurants and cinemas including Blue Light Card.
Download the Job Description.
