What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community First Responder- Sussex position at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust?
Job Overview
Community First Responder (CFR) Sussex Voluntary
Do you want to make a difference in your community, learn new skills, and be part of a team of volunteers who give up their time to save lives?
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) are offering an exciting opportunity for caring, compassionate members of the community to become a volunteer Community First Responder (CFR).On successful completion of your training, you will receive a Level 3 First Responder on Scene (FROS) qualification accredited by Future Quals, which meets and exceeds all of the requirements of the Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work and can be used where that certificate is required
SECAmb provide services across Surrey, Sussex and Kent to an area covering 3,500 square miles and a population of 4.2 million; we handle over 500,000 emergency calls every year. We aspire to be a patient centred, high performing, efficient and clinically led organisation that provides services to meet the needs of our patients and public, today and tomorrow.
Community First Responders have made a substantial difference to many lives and by joining us as a CFR, you would be part of a voluntary support service for SECAmb, working alongside frontline ambulance crews, often first on scene with some of our most seriously ill patients and those who have suffered a cardiac arrest, responding to often very distressing and challenging situations all within a short distance of where you live.
Main duties of the job
Therefore, you will need to be an effective communicator, a team player and through your caring disposition, demonstrate real sensitivity to the needs of others, helping to deal with and support people during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
You will be providing emergency care and reassurance as required until the arrival of an ambulance. This is a highly rewarding role helping those who are sometimes at their most vulnerable. You will be given the latest up to date comprehensive training to equip you to deal with the emergencies that you respond to and will receive support from SECAmb and your local team.
If successful at interview you will be put in touch with your local CFR team leader who will engage with you prior to the FROS course.
We have introduced a Volunteer to career pathway, so if you wish to join the ambulance service in the future, and you meet the criteria, we will guarantee you an interview to start your paid career with the Trust.
Please include the following details in your supporting information
First Responder on Scene Training Dates: September 13th 14th 27th 28th
Location: SECAmb Crawley HQ
Interviews will take place: Saturday 31 th May 2025
We Are Looking For People Who
Following the revision of current national legislation (Vaccine as a Condition of Deployment), the Trust has reviewed our requirements relating to staff uptake of the SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) vaccination.
Going forward, for patient facing positions, we strongly recommend that new starters will be appropriately vaccinated unless medically exempt in order to offer greater protection against exposure to the virus for front line staff.
In line with this recommendation, if you are successful in your application for a front line post, we will seek information from you in relation to your vaccine status, including exemption status, as applicable.
Please note, all positions come with a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check relevant to the post. This will either be a basic, standard, or enhanced check depending on the role. The level of check will be outlined in the conditional offer letter sent to successful applicants.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to declare any unspent/unfiltered convictions. If you are shortlisted you will then be sent a self declaration form, which must be completed prior to attending interview. for any queries relating to declarations, please contact the Recruitment Advisor listed on the vacancy.
The Trust is passionately committed to being an inclusive employer - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed. As an employer we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement networks, facilities and services to support staff from different backgrounds.
We actively support equality of opportunity for all our staff and welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, any disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief. The Trust is making progress towards its aim of becoming more reflective of the diversity of our community in our workforce and guarantees an interview to candidates with disability who meet the essential criteria specified. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and disabled applicants and those from other under-represented groups.
The Equality Act 2010 protects disabled people - including those with long term health conditions, learning disabilities and hidden disabilities such as dyslexia. If you tell us that you have a disability we can make reasonable adjustments to ensure that any selection processes - including the interview - are fair and equitable.
We are a committed to offering opportunities to individuals with disabilities and offer on-going support, should you be successful, with any adjustments you may need when performing your role.
When completing the application please use your name as it appears on your passport and please ensure you include email addresses and contact numbers for your referees to avoid delay in the recruitment process.
Please note that under our Trust policies, we're unable to employ anyone under the age of 18 years old.
The majority of our roles will include some travel between sites for business purposes. If the vacancy you’re applying for includes work related travel, you will be required to ensure that you hold and have covered the cost of suitable car insurance to support this.
Should you require an application form in an alternative format including large print or braille, please contact recruitment@secamb.nhs.uk stating the vacancy reference number and we will be happy to provide this.
When completing the reference section, please include details to cover the last three years’ history.
Due to the high volume of applications at SECAmb, we regret that we will only be able to contact those applicants who are shortlisted for interview. If you have not heard from us within 10 working days of the closing date, then please assume you have not been shortlisted for interview on this particular occasion.
Please note that we contact all applicants via Trac Jobs and would advise you check your Trac Jobs account regularly.
Please be aware that the Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received. For this reason we recommend completing your application as early as possible.
Follow our recruitment on Twitter @SECAmbRecruit and check out our Facebook page - SECAmb NHS Recruitment. You can also find us on Linkedin under South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
If you are a current SECAmb employee, by applying for this position, if successful you will move to the terms and conditions associated with the post. Any unsocial hours payments will be paid under the Section 2 agreement of agenda for change. Section 2 unsocial hours will need to be claimed via your monthly timesheet. More information regarding section 2 can be found in the Agenda for Change handbook and on the our dedicated Section 2 page on The Zon e.
Community First Responder (CFR) Sussex Voluntary
Do you want to make a difference in your community, learn new skills, and be part of a team of volunteers who give up their time to save lives?
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) are offering an exciting opportunity for caring, compassionate members of the community to become a volunteer Community First Responder (CFR).On successful completion of your training, you will receive a Level 3 First Responder on Scene (FROS) qualification accredited by Future Quals, which meets and exceeds all of the requirements of the Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work and can be used where that certificate is required
SECAmb provide services across Surrey, Sussex and Kent to an area covering 3,500 square miles and a population of 4.2 million; we handle over 500,000 emergency calls every year. We aspire to be a patient centred, high performing, efficient and clinically led organisation that provides services to meet the needs of our patients and public, today and tomorrow.
Community First Responders have made a substantial difference to many lives and by joining us as a CFR, you would be part of a voluntary support service for SECAmb, working alongside frontline ambulance crews, often first on scene with some of our most seriously ill patients and those who have suffered a cardiac arrest, responding to often very distressing and challenging situations all within a short distance of where you live.
Main duties of the job
Therefore, you will need to be an effective communicator, a team player and through your caring disposition, demonstrate real sensitivity to the needs of others, helping to deal with and support people during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
You will be providing emergency care and reassurance as required until the arrival of an ambulance. This is a highly rewarding role helping those who are sometimes at their most vulnerable. You will be given the latest up to date comprehensive training to equip you to deal with the emergencies that you respond to and will receive support from SECAmb and your local team.
If successful at interview you will be put in touch with your local CFR team leader who will engage with you prior to the FROS course.
We have introduced a Volunteer to career pathway, so if you wish to join the ambulance service in the future, and you meet the criteria, we will guarantee you an interview to start your paid career with the Trust.
Please include the following details in your supporting information
- Why do you want to be a Community First Responder with SECAmb?
- What strengths and talents can you personally offer
- Do you hold a category B driving licence with no more than 3 points
- What is your hometown?
- Are you able to commit to a 2-year period of volunteering for the Trust with ideally a minimum of 20 hours monthly
First Responder on Scene Training Dates: September 13th 14th 27th 28th
Location: SECAmb Crawley HQ
Interviews will take place: Saturday 31 th May 2025
We Are Looking For People Who
- Display kindness and compassion in all that they do
- Have a good all-round education and level of fitness
- Want to make a positive difference to their community
- Can ideally volunteer a minimum of 20 hours per month
- Can commit to a 2-year minimum term of volunteering
- Who may wish to take up our Volunteer to Career pathway, so should you wish to join the ambulance service in the future, and you meet the criteria, we will guarantee you an interview to start your paid career with the Trust
- Understand and uphold SECAmb’s values (details in the attached document)
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid UK full driving license held for at least one year with no more than 3 penalty points
- Have access to a B class vehicle with current tax, MOT and insurance for their use when volunteering
- Be able to attend monthly training activities within your local area and undergo annual clinical competency assessments and online statutory and mandatory training
- Attend the interview date as detailed above and all 4 training days
- Commit to a minimum term of volunteering of 2 years
Following the revision of current national legislation (Vaccine as a Condition of Deployment), the Trust has reviewed our requirements relating to staff uptake of the SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) vaccination.
Going forward, for patient facing positions, we strongly recommend that new starters will be appropriately vaccinated unless medically exempt in order to offer greater protection against exposure to the virus for front line staff.
In line with this recommendation, if you are successful in your application for a front line post, we will seek information from you in relation to your vaccine status, including exemption status, as applicable.
Please note, all positions come with a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check relevant to the post. This will either be a basic, standard, or enhanced check depending on the role. The level of check will be outlined in the conditional offer letter sent to successful applicants.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to declare any unspent/unfiltered convictions. If you are shortlisted you will then be sent a self declaration form, which must be completed prior to attending interview. for any queries relating to declarations, please contact the Recruitment Advisor listed on the vacancy.
The Trust is passionately committed to being an inclusive employer - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed. As an employer we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement networks, facilities and services to support staff from different backgrounds.
We actively support equality of opportunity for all our staff and welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, any disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief. The Trust is making progress towards its aim of becoming more reflective of the diversity of our community in our workforce and guarantees an interview to candidates with disability who meet the essential criteria specified. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and disabled applicants and those from other under-represented groups.
The Equality Act 2010 protects disabled people - including those with long term health conditions, learning disabilities and hidden disabilities such as dyslexia. If you tell us that you have a disability we can make reasonable adjustments to ensure that any selection processes - including the interview - are fair and equitable.
We are a committed to offering opportunities to individuals with disabilities and offer on-going support, should you be successful, with any adjustments you may need when performing your role.
When completing the application please use your name as it appears on your passport and please ensure you include email addresses and contact numbers for your referees to avoid delay in the recruitment process.
Please note that under our Trust policies, we're unable to employ anyone under the age of 18 years old.
The majority of our roles will include some travel between sites for business purposes. If the vacancy you’re applying for includes work related travel, you will be required to ensure that you hold and have covered the cost of suitable car insurance to support this.
Should you require an application form in an alternative format including large print or braille, please contact recruitment@secamb.nhs.uk stating the vacancy reference number and we will be happy to provide this.
When completing the reference section, please include details to cover the last three years’ history.
Due to the high volume of applications at SECAmb, we regret that we will only be able to contact those applicants who are shortlisted for interview. If you have not heard from us within 10 working days of the closing date, then please assume you have not been shortlisted for interview on this particular occasion.
Please note that we contact all applicants via Trac Jobs and would advise you check your Trac Jobs account regularly.
Please be aware that the Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received. For this reason we recommend completing your application as early as possible.
Follow our recruitment on Twitter @SECAmbRecruit and check out our Facebook page - SECAmb NHS Recruitment. You can also find us on Linkedin under South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
If you are a current SECAmb employee, by applying for this position, if successful you will move to the terms and conditions associated with the post. Any unsocial hours payments will be paid under the Section 2 agreement of agenda for change. Section 2 unsocial hours will need to be claimed via your monthly timesheet. More information regarding section 2 can be found in the Agenda for Change handbook and on the our dedicated Section 2 page on The Zon e.