- -
The Ambulance Care Assistant, working on the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service, provides a caring service to those patients requiring transport into and out from hospital, who otherwise are unable to travel independently due to either their medical or mobility conditions.
1. Maintain regular communication with the contracted trusts Ambulance Control team using radio/telephony/mobile data terminals as necessary to receive and provide call information updates and register your vehicle’s status and availability.
2. Mobilise according to contracted procedures and locate/record call destinations quickly and effectively using satellite navigation systems, data terminals and maps, as appropriate.
3. Where required, to assist another healthcare professional to deliver clinical care beyond your scope of practice.
4. Complete risk assessments for every patient journey to ensure safety and any additional resource requirements, identifying the best transfer protocol for every patient.
5. On collection, assess how patients can access the vehicle, advising control, supervisor, or a manager where a different resource is required.
6. To always maintain proper care and attention to patients.
7. To maintain complete confidentiality of any information provided or gained concerning patients.
8. To aid patients as required, ensuring all patients are taken from their place of residence, escorted to the vehicle, including full assistance with wheelchair patients, made safe and comfortable in the vehicle, including assistance with seat belts, and hand over to a responsible person at the point of delivery. The same requirements will apply on the return journey.
9. Adopt and maintain infection control procedures and universal precautions.
10. Role includes transfer of patient in line with patient manual handling training (lifting and transfer of patients (all mobility’s).
11. Staff will maintain the highest standards of courtesy and respect to patients, ensuring patients are transported peacefully without undue noise or stress.
12. To aid patients in preparing for the journey (e.g., helping with outer garments).
13. Remind patients to carry their medication with them, together with appointment card or doctors’ letter.
14. When collecting from home, check that the patients’ property is properly secured on leaving and that the patient has means of entry back home into the property on return.
15. Check with patient that appropriate household appliances have been switched off, that premises are securely locked on departure, and that patients have taken their keys.
16. When dropping off patients following their appointments, ensure that the patient is left in a safe and secure environment.
1. Communicate with and manage patients, relatives, carers and the public in a calm, sensitive and professional manner ensuring patient dignity and informed consent for all patient assessment and movement.
2. Communicate effectively with a wide range of professionals and other agencies to support joint working to meet patient needs, which may, at times, be complex and sensitive.
3. To transfer the patient to and from the ambulance, undertaking a full and dynamic risk assessment, using the most appropriate equipment and moving/handling techniques for the patient’s needs, condition, and the circumstances.
4. As appropriate, transport patient(s) and others to and from hospitals and other treatment centres in a safe and comfortable manner, reassessing the patient’s condition and responding appropriately to their needs en-route.
5. Aid, with or without the use of wheelchairs/carrying chairs, in and out of the house, out-patient departments, wards, transport waiting areas and vehicles.
6. Ensure that patients are not left unattended whilst negotiating steps or stairs, and when entering or alighting from the vehicle.
7. Provide appropriate and necessary assistance for patients to access the vehicles. This may include supporting unsteady patients or manoeuvring of wheelchairs around hazards or in constricted environments.
8. Ensure that patients have all relevant and necessary paperwork, medication etc. required for attendance at appointment.
9. Demonstrate care and understanding for patients even when patients or their carers may be confrontational or distressed.
10. Giving patients and others advice and guidance about the process of PTS, reassuring patients when they are anxious about meeting appointment times etc.
11. Taking personal action to resolve patient’s issues of concern or complaints; or where this is not possible, advising patients or their carers on whom to contact next.
12. Recording journey information such as a deterioration in patient’s health, accidents involving Patients or any abusive/threatening behaviour on the incident form or other service documentation as necessary.
13. To inform control of any delays or breakdowns that will delay patients attending hospital.
14. To report any accidents and / or injuries to patients, members of the public and to vehicles promptly and to make a full report of any such incident on the report form provided without delay.
1. Regular driving and continuous review of planned journeys to optimise routes, maximising both fuel efficiency and loading capacity of vehicles whilst complying with any expected standards for patient care and timelines.
2. Abide by the highway code and laws pertaining to driving.
3. Apply the driving standards set out in drivers handbook policy and during training.
4. Report any accidents or near misses as set out in the incident reporting procedure.
5. Staff will ensure that all notices in vehicles are visible for those with impaired sight.
6. Handle and dispose of all clinical waste and maintain appropriate standards of cleanliness of vehicles, equipment, and premises, as detailed within the Infection Control policy and Operational Instructions.
7. Ensure the security of both UCS Medical and Trust premises, vehicles and equipment and patient’s property, as required, and report all damage or loss the correct procedures.
8. Identify actual or potential hazards or risks to yourself, patients, colleagues, or others within the work environment and take immediate and appropriate action to reduce or eliminate the risk.
9. Staff will ensure that each vehicle is equipped as per the “Vehicle Equipment Log”.
1. Responsible for ensuring that vehicles are in a roadworthy condition before use. To perform Vehicle Daily Inspections (VDI) at the commencement of each shift and record in accordance with the current documentation highlighting any deficiencies or damage to your relevant line manager as soon as is practicable.
2. Regular cleaning of vehicle; maintaining hygiene of vehicle in the event of patient spillage (e.g., bodily fluids), in line with the Infection Control Policy.
3. Report vehicle defects to the operational manager via the appropriate defect form.
4. Check and replace where necessary all equipment and cleaning supplies ensuring it is efficient for daily operation.
5. Check that the PDA and hands-free kit is operational.
6. Ensure that all straps, seatbelts and securing equipment for patients are available and fit for use.
7. Present themselves for duty in the uniform supplied and in accordance with the UCS Medical dress code including ID badges.
1. Cooperate with colleagues to achieve the most effective operation for daily workloads.
2. Know when to offer help and when to ask for it; assistance and advice available from supervisor/operational manager.
3. Be prepared to play a full part in achieving individual and team targets and keep up with the flow of work.
4. Understand their contribution and how it impacts the team.
5. To record all pick-up and delivery times and all aborted/lost journeys noting the reason why the journey was aborted.
6. Assist in duties within the Operational Resource Centre as appropriate, or when tasked by supervision.
