Job Description
Job summary
We are currently looking for a Part-time Ambulance Driver to join the St Johns Hospice Palliative Ambulance crew.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work effectively and efficiently within a small team of Ambulance Drivers providing the dedicated St Johns Hospice Palliative Ambulance service, will ensure high standards of safety and quality of care for patients and carers accompanying patients on transport and en-route.
The post holder will ensure effective communication and liaison in the booking, planning and carrying out of duties related to the transport and transfer of patients.
St Johns Hospice provides a wide range of specialist palliative care services to patients from seven NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups. The Hospice compromises an 15 bedded Inpatient Unit, Day Care Unit, Community Specialist Palliative Care Service, Hospice@Home Service, Lymphoedema Service, Specialist OT & Physio Service, Social Work & Bereavement service.
Job description
- 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 Johns 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 Day Care Unit Manager, Hospice Day Care Unit Deputy 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 Day Care Unit 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 patients 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