Volunteer Car Driver in England

Volunteer Car Service Drivers make a huge difference to patients across Wales who rely on them for transport to and from their medical appointments. Volunteers often convey regular patients and they can develop strong relationships with them. For the drivers themselves, the experience can be very rewarding and we know how much our patients appreciate the service.

VCS drivers cover millions of miles across Wales each year and provide transport for those patients who are able to travel by car. The hours of work are flexible and expenses are paid to volunteers in the form of a mileage allowance of 45p per mile, to cover all mileage carried out on behalf of the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service. You will also be provided with uniform and training before you undertake your role.

The Volunteer Car Service (VCS) is an invaluable part of the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service. It is made up of a team of dedicated volunteer drivers throughout Wales who use their own cars and give their time freely to assist in transporting thousands of patients to and from hospital appointments such as renal dialysis, oncology and outpatients.

Main duties of the job:

• Review VCS transport log sheet and plan journey schedule to ensure that patients attend their appointments as near to their appointment time as possible.
• Ensure patients are securely seated prior to all journeys with due regard to their health, safety, modesty, and comfort.
• On arrival at the patient’s place of residence, verify patient details with patient, relative or carer, and deal with patients/service users in a caring manner, treating them with dignity and respect at all times.
• Inform Ambulance Care Coordination Centre of any non-travelling patients, as soon as possible.
• Transport patients safely using appropriate moving and handling techniques when required.
• Provide timely and safe transport for patients to planned destination, maintaining reasonable awareness of patient wellbeing at all times.
• Drive in a safe and controlled manner at all times, having due regard to the needs of the patients, the safety of other road-users and the road conditions aligned to highway code traffic law.
• Post arrival at designated Hospital or Clinic/Treatment Centre contact the Ambulance Care Liaison staff or Coordination Centre to log sheet details and confirm if there was no reply or patients too ill to travel.
• Receive additional assignments from the Liaison staff, as required, and carry out such assignments between or following any other planned work.
• As per VCS transport log sheet, return patients to their place of residence as required, checking initially with respective staff to see if they are ready, escorting them to the vehicle, and transporting them safely to their destinations by the most appropriate route.
• On arrival at place of residence, check address details with patient, relative or carer, and escort patient to the door or inside as necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient records and information at all time.
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate records of all necessary log sheets and other relevant documentation.

Who can apply?

• Do you enjoy a challenge?
• Are you proud of the community in which you live and want to give something back?
• Do you have free time to spare?
• Would you like flexible hours/days?
• Are you ready to learn essential lifesaving skills?
• Are you over the age of eighteen?
• Do you have a full driving licence with no more than 3 points?
• Have access to a safe, reliable 4 door vehicle?

If you can answer 'yes' to these, then this volunteering opportunity may be perfect for you.

Our volunteers are trained by the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST) to safely transport non-emergency patients to and from hospital and clinic appointments across Wales and England.

What happens if my application is successful?

Should your application be successful, we will contact you with further information. You will need to undertake a driving assessment and test which includes written questions and signs from the highway code. The instructor will assess your driving in your own vehicle. All new volunteers will undertake an enhanced DBS check and ID checks; occupational health clearance and two character references will also be required. All volunteers are required to complete online learning modules prior to induction. Once these checks are completed you will be required to attend an induction and training day, following this you will be mentored by an experienced volunteer.