St. John Ambulance is in “major need” of volunteer drivers and patient attendants for its community transfer program.
The program launched in April 2016 and provides transportation for people who are in a wheelchair or need a stretcher. There are two volunteers to each van – one driver and one patient attendant.
“It could be someone who goes to their cancer treatments every day. ... We’ve done even as simple as a retired doctor who was in a wheelchair and just wanted to attend his daughter’s wedding,” said the organization’s Sara Parmar.
St. John Ambulance has provided around 300 transfers in the last year, with the help of only 15 to 20 volunteers.
“With that little amount of volunteers, it’s a lot. We could do more if we had more volunteers,” said Parmar.
The program was created in order to close a gap in the health-care system, she added.
“When you’re an individual who needs stretcher or ambulance transportation, because of the non-emergency medical type sometimes, you don’t have that type of service with an ambulance or a taxi.”
Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.
The role of the driver is to provide a safe ride, communicate with dispatch throughout their shift and accurately document mileage usage (St. John Ambulance has its own fleet of vans for volunteers to use) and pick-up/drop-off times. A Class 4 driver’s licence and a clean driving record are required.
A patient care attendant communicates with the patient during transportation, providing as much comfort as possible. A standard first aid certificate is a must for this position.
Both volunteers need to ensure they check the van before their shift and that it’s restocked and cleaned at the end of their shift.
Volunteer hours are usually weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To volunteer, email [email protected].
