Volunteer role description Role title: Expected commitment: Accountable to: Assistant County Ambulance Officer Approximately one weekend a quarter and 3 evenings a month. County Ambulance Officer Recruitment period: Closing date for all applications is Monday 18 October 2010 Role summary The Assistant County Ambulance Officer will be a qualified paramedic who is able to draw on professional knowledge and experience to support professionally qualified ambulance staff in the County, and who may contribute to the strategic objectives and the delivery of the County business plan, working in partnership to ensure safe and effective practice. Main duties and responsibilities 1. Work effectively with the County Ambulance Officer (CAO) within the County to provide sound evidence-based advice and to ensure strategic decisions are taken and implemented 2. In the absence of the County Ambulance Officer, deputise at the County Management Board 3. Work with the CAO in providing clear and consistent advice and guidance on professionally qualified ambulance staff s role in supporting the operational agenda, ensuring safe and effective practice 4. Provide leadership, acting as a role model and managing relationships across the County with all professionally qualified ambulance staff 5. Assist the CAO in providing support and mentorship for all professionally qualified ambulance staff. 6. Develop sound working relationships with colleagues across the organisation. 7. In conjunction with the CAO develop and review standards and policy using all relevant data/information 8. Working with the CAO disseminate and promote standards and policy from National Headquarters and participate and influence the clinical governance strategy across the county 9. Gather and analyse information to provide evidence to support the County s work and to inform the County Ambulance Officer as appropriate. 10. Liaise with other volunteers as necessary for the efficient discharge of the role. St John Ambulance 2010 Volunteer role description - Assistant County Ambulance Officer Page 1 of 6
11. Support the CAO in maintaining a database of all professionally qualified ambulance staff in the County which must include qualifications which are registerable and recordable as well as any specialist skills and ensure currency on the appropriate register. 12. Support the CAO in maintaining a database of all St John qualified ambulance staff in the County. Assist with the recruitment of new ETA/ PTA s and monitor their development. 13. Assist with the training of all ETA/PTAs in the county and direct manage at least 2 assessment days annually. 14. Actively address any recruitment and or retention issues. 15. Support the CAO in providing technical advice on ambulance related matters. 16. Carry out regular inspections of ambulance equipment and advise on the purchase of new equipment and training. 17. In conjunction with the CAO provide support and advice for public events where licensing issues are involved. 18. Support the CAO in the ambulance section of County and regional competitions. 19. Be direct manager of all Paramedic/Technician kits and Paramedic/Technician Medications within Avon St John. This includes purchasing and disposing of medications; maintaining records of who holds kit and auditing usage. Skills and qualifications required Requirements Essential and desirable criteria E D Education/qualifications Hold & maintain State Registered Paramedic status (NB People currently undergoing Paramedic training are welcome to apply) Hold a valid Trainer and Assessor qualification (or be willing to gain such qualifications) Experience Possess senior management skills and experience with a good level of achievement Knowledge St John Ambulance 2010 Volunteer role description Assistant County Ambulance Officer Page 2 of 6
Knowledge of the organisation, including the mission and values of St. John Knowledge of current St. John First Responder Programme, and how this fits into current NHS initiatives The ability to use IT systems, including email and Microsoft Office suite of programs Skills, abilities and behaviours Demonstrate physical and mental capacity to undertake the role Demonstrate a good level of interpersonal & communication skills. A sense of humour is essential and understanding of people especially within the volunteer ethos as well as with salaried staff An approachable yet strong personality and a good role model who leads by example Have time and energy to carry out the role and be reliable and tolerant to the needs of others Show energy, commitment and enthusiasm for St. John Ambulance and have empathy for working with volunteers and a willingness to wear uniform An effective team worker and leader, proactive rather than reactive The ability to work with external agencies, such as the media, to promote St. John actively The ability to bring people together from different backgrounds in order to work towards a set goal. Skills you will develop Management of volunteers both at strategic and operational level Incident support roles Training and assessment skills Training available Currently no formal management training package available, however support for the role is available from the CAO and other Senior Volunteers Training on St. John specific ICT software where required to undertake the role Training to become a Trainer and gain City and Guilds 7303 St John Ambulance 2010 Volunteer role description Assistant County Ambulance Officer Page 3 of 6
Volunteering location The former County of Avon (i.e. Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset) Additional information The role description covers a wide variety of skill and knowledge tasks. This list is not exhaustive and other tasks may be delegated to the ACAO if appropriate. Contact details for recruitment Nicola Blaker (PA to the General Manager) on 0117 963 0199 or nicola.blaker@avon.sja.org.uk If you have any questions about the recruitment process for this role you should contact the person above. General enquiries about volunteering can be made by calling 08700 10 49 59. St John Ambulance 2010 Volunteer role description Assistant County Ambulance Officer Page 4 of 6
General information for all St John Ambulance volunteers Recruitment method To become a St John Ambulance volunteer you will be asked to complete an application/joining form and provide references. Depending on the nature of your role you may be required to undergo a Criminal Record Bureau check. You will be provided with an induction and training relevant to your role. You will only be able to begin your volunteering once we have completed the necessary checks relevant to your role. Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks Confirmation of your appointment will be subject to the receipt of a satisfactory CRB check if, during the course of your role, you are likely to carry out tasks with, or in supervision of, children or vulnerable adults. Probationary period Final confirmation of your appointment to this role is subject to a maximum six-month probationary period or twelve months in the case of volunteer youth related positions. (Further details on the requirements for youth related positions can be found in the St John Ambulance Policy for working safely with children and vulnerable adults.) On-going training All our volunteers are provided with the necessary training to enable them to carry out their role. To continue to operate in this role you must maintain the competencies required and an appropriate level of fitness where roles are physically demanding. County Medical Officers are responsible for making decisions on fitness for role based on previous performance and the medical form you will complete as part of the recruitment process. Confidentiality All information concerning volunteers, employees and patients shall be treated as strictly confidential at all times. Equal opportunities It is the aim of St John Ambulance to ensure that no one receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, sex, race, colour, religion, marital status, sexuality or disability; or, is not placed at a disadvantage by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. Everyone shall adhere to our equal opportunities policy and ensure that diversity is valued throughout St John Ambulance. Health and safety We aim to provide a safe environment for all our volunteers. We will therefore make you aware of your responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and to ensure that agreed safety procedures are carried out and to maintain a safe environment for volunteers, employees and visitors. Data protection If you have contact with data systems, computerised or otherwise, you are required to obtain, process and/or use the information in a fair and lawful way; to hold data only for the specific registered purpose; and not to use or disclose it in any way incompatible with such purpose. To disclose data only to authorised persons or organisations as instructed. Expenses St John Ambulance 2010 Volunteer role description Assistant County Ambulance Officer Page 5 of 6
Your volunteering for St John Ambulance should not cost you anything. We will reimburse all legitimate out of pocket expenses incurred during your volunteering with us. You should take to your supervisor to confirm what expenses you can claim. Reward and recognition St John Ambulance has a long history of recognising the outstanding contributions volunteers make to the organisation. Our volunteers provide their services, occasionally in extremely challenging circumstances. Each St John Ambulance county seeks to recognise its volunteers and there are a number of distinguished national awards. More information about how your contribution might be recognised can be found on the St John Ambulance member website. Review of this description This role description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of St John Ambulance. This role description is to be reviewed in conjunction with the volunteer on an annual basis as part of the support and supervision process. It is expected that the volunteer will be as positive and flexible as possible using this document as a framework. Internal use only County/ NHQ Dpt: Avon Initials: HD / JRS Date developed: 6 September 2010 Review date: 1 November 2010 Web publication September 2010 date: St John Ambulance 2010 Volunteer role description Assistant County Ambulance Officer Page 6 of 6