Exciting volunteering opportunities have arisen within West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust for successful applicants to join the growing team of Community First Responders.

**This advert is to cover the following CFR Schemes**

Coventry

Alcester

Henley in Arden

Red Horse Vale

Studley

Shipston on Stour

North Warwickshire

Interviews will take place via MS Teams during February, March & April

Shortlisting is based upon the completion of the application form (please ensure include your full postcode in the free text), current availability of positions within our supporting schemes and the response activity across the region at the times of recruitment.

Following a shortlisting process and interview, successful applicants will be offered a place on one of the training courses being held at the National Academy in Oldbury during 2025/26 this will be supported by an induction and mentor shifts with experienced CFR's. As a volunteer you will be expected to complete a minimum of four hours a week 208 hours per year responding to 999 calls on behalf of the Trust, rendering first aid until the arrival of a Paramedic. As a Community First Responder, you will also be expected to raise funds to support your Scheme. The role is highly rewarding and offers opportunities to meet new people and learn valuable lifesaving skills

Main duties of the job

Applicants will live in or have a good local knowledge of the area in which they will respond. Upon selection you will be affiliated with a local Scheme as directed by the Trust. You will receive the appropriate training to respond to 999 calls and to provide basic life support and initial care as a first responder on scene until the arrival of an emergency Ambulance. You will respond in the schemes own response vehicles . CFR's do not have exemptions to use blue lights or audible warning devices

A Community Response scheme is made up of volunteers who within the community they live are trained to attend emergency calls on behalf of the Ambulance Service, they provide awareness and training to the community in Basic Life Support and the use of a defibrillator

As a Volunteer Community Responder, you would provide this community-based service, willingly and without pay

Applicants will have a good all-round education, a good level of fitness to perform the role of a CFR and a full UK driving license held for at least one year, with no more than 3 current penalty points. Applicants should also have good communication skills and a willingness to learn and help others

All applicants will be invited to interview whereby they will be expected to have some knowledge of West Midlands Ambulance Service and an appreciation of the role of a Community Responder

Interviews will take place in February March April via Microsoft Teams

Offers are subject to pre-placement checks

About us

West Midlands Ambulance Service positively welcomes diversity and aims to be a truly inclusive place to work. We are looking for self-motivated, enthusiastic people from all backgrounds that care about making a difference.

The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of people from BME backgrounds and welcomes applicants from these communities. Selection will be on a basis of merit. The Trust has achieved the status of a Disability Confident Leader and guarantees to invite to assessment applicants who meet the criteria for the job vacancy. To ensure the diversity of the workforce and understand the differing needs of our communities, the Trust is committed to the principles of Positive Action.

If you wish to discuss and adjustments that you may need for the role of the assessment process prior to your application, then please do not hesitate to contact the recruitment team

The Trust is proud to support our Armed Forces community and have signed up to the Step Into Health initiative. We welcome applications from Armed Forces Veterans and Service leavers.

This position involves a regulated activity and therefore will require an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. The disclosure will, where appropriate to the role, include information against the Independent Safeguarding Authority barred lists for working with children, adults or both.

Applicants following shortlisting will be contacted directly by the Community Response Team

Job description

Job responsibilities

To attend emergency calls and provide care to patients within the defined call out criteria for their scope of practice when activated by Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)

CFRs are entitled to decline any incident they are requested to attend base on their dynamic risk assessment

CFRs must handover patient information to an ambulance resource upon their arrival

To have a calm and confident approach, which will provide reassurance to both the patient and their relatives

Always adopt a professional approach and adhere to code of conduct whilst representing WMAS Trust

To use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and other Trust approved equipment when necessary

Complete paperwork/report as appropriate e.g. Patient Report Form (PRF), online defib form, incident form (WMAS 54) if required

Will be required to attend a mandatory annual post qualification update course

Communicate with scheme coordinator on a minimum of a monthly basis

Adhere to CFR related WMAS Trust policies and procedures

Adhere to patient confidentiality at all times

Notify Community Response Manager (CRM) of any identified potential risks, hazards or incidents for appropriate reporting

When tasked to an emergency a CFR must adhere to the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984 at all times and do not have the right to claim exemptions

Identify and refer Safeguarding issues in line with the Safeguarding procedure

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Good all round education

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Full clean manual UK driving licence (held for a minimum of 12 months) with no more than 3 penalty points
• Must be willing to respond in the schemes own response vehicles
• Good communication skills with the willingness to help others.

Desirable

• Please state your current FULL postcode

Employer details

Employer name

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ambulance Headquarters

Waterfront Business Park

Brierley Hill

West Midlands

DY5 1LX

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9217-CFR15-24-25