Community First Responder

Job overview

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) is seeking caring, compassionate volunteers to become Community First Responders (CFRs). This rewarding role offers the opportunity to make a real difference in your local community, learn lifesaving skills, and work alongside frontline ambulance crews.

Upon successful completion of training, volunteers will gain a Level 3 First Responder on Scene (FROS) qualification accredited by Future Quals, exceeding the requirements of the Level 3 First Aid at Work award.

SECAmb serves Surrey, Sussex, and Kent, covering 3,500 square miles and a population of 4.2 million, handling over 500,000 emergency calls annually. As a CFR, you may be first on scene at medical emergencies, including cardiac arrests, providing emergency care, reassurance, and support until ambulance crews arrive.

The role requires excellent communication skills, teamwork, compassion, resilience, and sensitivity when supporting people during difficult and distressing situations. Volunteers receive comprehensive training, ongoing support, and regular development opportunities.

SECAmb is currently recruiting volunteers who live in or near: East Grinstead, Crawley, Horsham, Burgess Hill, Worthing, Shoreham-by-Sea, Brighton, Newhaven, Littlehampton, Rustington, Crowborough, Pett, and Hastings.

This is an opportunity to gain valuable skills while making a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable people within your community.

Main duties of the job

As a Community First Responder (CFR) with SECAmb, you will provide emergency care, reassurance, and support to patients until ambulance crews arrive, often during some of the most difficult and distressing moments in their lives. This rewarding voluntary role requires excellent communication skills, teamwork, compassion, and sensitivity to the needs of others. Full training and ongoing support will be provided to equip you with the skills and confidence to respond effectively to emergencies.

In your supporting information, please explain:

• Why you want to become a Community First Responder with SECAmb. • The strengths, skills, and personal qualities you can bring to the role. • Whether you hold a full Category B driving licence with no more than 3 penalty points. • Your hometown. • Your ability to commit to a minimum of 20 volunteer hours per month and a 2-year volunteering commitment.

We are seeking individuals who demonstrate kindness, compassion, reliability, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference within their community. Applicants should have a good standard of education, a reasonable level of fitness, and a commitment to ongoing learning and development.

This role also offers an opportunity to join SECAmb's Volunteer to Career pathway. Eligible volunteers who meet the required criteria and wish to pursue a future career within the ambulance service will be guaranteed an interview for suitable paid positions within the Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

What happens after you submit an application?

If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to attend a formal assessment centre. You will be expected to have some knowledge of the role and our Trust.  Successful candidates will then be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, references, and an occupational health screening check. Completion of a series of online learning modules must be completed prior to the 6-day training course.

Please ensure ALL sections within the application form are fully completed. Incomplete application forms will not be shortlisted.

The Trust is committed to equality of opportunity of all staff. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, any disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, The Trust aspires to reflect the diversity of our community in our workforce and guarantees an interview to candidates with disability who meet the essential criteria specified. We particularly encourage applications from black, Asian, ethnic minority, and disabled applicants and those from other under-represented groups.

When completing the application please use your passport name and please ensure you include email addresses and contact numbers for your referees to avoid delay in the recruitment process.

please include details to cover the last 3 years history.

Due to the high volume of applications at SECAmb, we regret that we will only be able to contact those applicants who are shortlisted for interview. If you have not heard from us within 10 working days of the closing date, then please assume you have not been shortlisted for interview on this particular occasion.

Please be aware that the trust reserves the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applicants are received.