Exciting Opportunity for volunteer community First Responders

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Service is pleased to announce a fantastic opportunity for people to apply to become a volunteer Community First Responder (CFRs) as it embarks on a new accredited training programme.

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Service and a number of other UK Ambulance Services have joined forces with an Awarding Organisation, FutureQuals, to develop a new education programme for First Responders. This expands on their previous work which created the existing training programme.

The new Level 3 Award for First Responders on Scene: Ambulance Service Community Responder education programme will be available to Ambulance Trusts later this year to deliver to Community First Responders and Co-Responders.

It will offer candidates a nationally recognised, ambulance service transferable qualification that reflects the competency and commitment required of an ambulance service First Responder. It includes a number of components ranging from roles and responsibilities of the responder, assessment principles, management of life-threatening emergencies, and the recognition and treatment of injuries and illnesses.

Nic Dunbar, Chair of the National First Responder Group and Head of Operations (Community Engagement and Training) at South Central Ambulance Service said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity to bring consistency in our Trusts and to have worked collaboratively in its development will ensure a robust qualification that will continue to provide the excellent patient care our responders deliver on a daily basis.”

Chris Young, Chair of FutureQuals said “This has been an incredible journey working with industry specialists to develop a qualification for the next generation of Ambulance Service First Responders.

We remain committed to stakeholder engagement at every level to ensure we have the best outcomes for learners and in this case the patients they respond to.”

If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Community First Responder please apply at https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/