Job summary
- Main area
- Volunteers
- Grade
- Voluntary
- Contract
- Voluntary: 6 months (Applicants are required to commit to a minimum period 6 months)
- Hours
- 1 session per week (min of 1x 4 hr shift per week, Mon - Fri between the hrs of 8:30am - 4:30pm)
- Job ref
- PatientDriverVol
- Employer
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Freeman Hospital & RVI Hospitals
- Town
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Closing
- 20/01/2026 12:00
Employer heading
Volunteer Patient Driver 210524
Voluntary
Job overview
We are looking for volunteers who enjoy driving and are interested in making a difference to patients by providing a safe and efficient transport service for patients living in our local communities, who would otherwise be unable to get to their appointments/planned sessions.
All fuel costs and additional expenses are refunded.
Main duties of the job
As a Volunteer Patient Driver you will be helping people in your local community access non emergency but vital medical appointments at the RVI, Freeman Hospital or one of our Community setting. Making sure they arrive in a relaxed and friendly manner and taking them back to their home address after their appointment/treatment.
Working for our organisation
Our Voluntary Workforce
The Newcastle Hospitals Trust values the involvement of local people as volunteers in activities that enhance the patient, visitor and carer experience, and also support staff in delivering high quality health care.
Your offer of voluntary help is very much appreciated, and you will receive a warm welcome no matter which area of volunteering you choose.
Without our volunteers, we wouldn't be able to deliver the 'outstanding' care and service that we do today.
Important note on completion of the application form
REFERENCES: Candidates are required to provide the address, telephone number and work email address of TWO referees, who should be either a current or former employer, senior work colleague, teacher, tutor or person of good standing in the community, and certify that they have known you for a minimum of 3 years prior to the date of application. PLEASE NOTE: That we cannot accept references from Friends or Family members.
DBS: The majority of our Volunteer roles require a Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) Check. The volunteer services team will apply for this on your behalf, as part of your pre-engagement checks. If you already hold an enhanced DBS and it is registered on the DBS Update Service, then you will need to provide evidence and present your original DBS certificate to the Volunteer Services Team during your ID check appointment.
EMAIL: All correspondence to you will be made via email, therefore please ensure that you check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox.
Newcastle Hospitals encourages all staff and volunteers who are appointed to join the Trust to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Patient Engagement
- Engaging patients in conversation, making them feel comfortable in your company
Journey Planning
- Ensuring that your vehicle is safe for purpose and insured to undertake patient transportation
- Liaising with the Admin Team to find out what patient transport has been planned and carrying this out
- Being aware that the nursing team will undertake an initial and on-going assessment of the patient ensuring their safety to be transported by a volunteer driver
Patient Safety
- Maintaining contact with the admin team and informing the nursing team of any concerns you may have about the patient e.g. patient unwell on journey, changes in patient mobility, difficulties with access, driver safety in jeopardy, uncomfortable with passenger behaviour
- You may assist a patient, but you are not expected to help them in and out of the vehicle.
- Ensuring that every patient wears a seatbelt on every journey and adjusts head restraints to help protect patients against whiplash
- Ensuring that patient information is stored appropriately in order to protect patient confidentiality
Driver / Vehicle Safety
- Ensuring that you are fit to drive at all times and informing staff about any health issue or change in personal circumstance that may affect your driving ability
- Upholding the reputation of the Trust by ensuring safe and competent driving at all, times e.g. drive within speed limits etc.
- Complying with legislation and Trust guidelines e.g. mobile phone use, drugs, drinking and driving, winter driving, fatigue, no smoking etc. Ensuring that the vehicle you are driving is safe and legal
- Complying with annual checks where required e.g. driving licence, insurance, MOT etc.
- Reporting any incidents, accidents or near miss situations to the Cardiac Rehab team and following our procedures
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
- A competent, safe driver with a full UK driving licence and with use of a car (you must enjoy driving!).
- To pass a driver health assessment through the Trust Occupational Health Department
- Friendly, patient, and good with people
- Cheerful, with a positive, professional attitude
- Flexible, reliable and punctual
- Knowledgeable about the geography of the local area with good navigational skills
- Respectful of others and their diversity
- Passionate about helping families in your local community
Desirable criteria
- Experienced in providing community transport
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Alison Haigh
- Job title
- Volunteer Services Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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