Community First Responder (CFR)

Job summary

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. Vacancies are available across the region covered by West Midlands Ambulance Service and include Shropshire, Worcester, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Coventry, Solihull, Birmingham, Black Country and Staffordshire. 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 Brierley Hill during 2023/24 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 five hours a week 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 be expected to respond in the schemes own response vehicles where possible. 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 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.

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

Employer details

Employer name

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ambulance Headquarters

Waterfront Business Park

Brierley Hill

West Midlands

DY5 1LX

Employer's website

https://wmas.nhs.uk/careers-staff-room/ (Opens in a new tab)

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Employer details

Employer name

West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ambulance Headquarters

Waterfront Business Park

Brierley Hill

West Midlands

DY5 1LX

Employer's website

https://wmas.nhs.uk/careers-staff-room/ (Opens in a new tab)

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