If you’re drawn to an organisation that encourages a healthy and balanced lifestyle, then you’ve come to the right place. It takes time and commitment to become a Hato Hone St John Operational Volunteer, but it will be one of the most rewarding journeys you ever take.
“The Hato Hone St John frontline is incredibly lucky to have hardworking volunteers providing professional medical care to the community, along with friendship, loyalty and care to their work and colleagues.”
Hato Hone St John Director of Clinical Operations.
No two days will be the same! One day you could be covering community events like a local sports game or a school fair, and another you could be attending a massive international sports tournament or a rock concert. You could also be one of our ambulance workers responding to emergencies across the country every day. You will be trained to face a myriad of challenging and sometimes random events.
For frontline emergency ambulance crew, your role would depend on the size and needs of your community. Our volunteers respond to 111 calls in their local areas, look after patients being treated at the scene, or accompany them as they are transported to a medical facility.
Regardless of the situation, your focus will always be on providing quality care to patients.
Click here to see Common stressors for the role
Being physically fit, in excellent health, working well in a team and working well under pressure are all vital to completing your training with Hato Hone St John and for working on the frontline.
We will need to make sure you are in good health, that you work well in a team, and that you can work under pressure.
During the recruitment journey you’ll be assessed against Hato Hone St John’s medical standards. A fitness related assessment is part of the recruitment process. You will be tested on your agility (Range of Motion), Strength (Press Ups) and Fitness levels (A timed 1.6km walk).
If you are currently receiving or have in the past any medical treatment for an injury or illness or are awaiting specialist review or surgery, you will need to provide clearance from your health care services to progress your recruitment with Hato Hone St John.
You must be able to manage the psychological stressors and demands of operational Ambulance Service provision. You need to be honest, and culturally sensitive. We work with people at their most vulnerable, and it is important that our frontline team can be trusted to put the wellbeing of their patients first.
Click here to view the Operations Volunteer Recruitment Roadmap
Before you can volunteer at events and be part of an ambulance crew, you can expect full driving, risk management and medical training.
Once in the field, you will get ongoing support in your role, and continue to develop and learn new skills with regular training. You will need to be available for at least one training session every month, as well as at least two regular duty shifts.
Ambulance & Events Volunteers are provided with a full uniform. We also reimburse you for out-of-pocket expenses such as travel and meals.
We will give you all the support and education needed to make you safe and effective in the field. This includes:
At the completion of the Operations Risk Management and First Responder courses you will be issued with a Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Emergency Care (First Responder) and will hold the clinical practice level of First Responder (the foundation clinical level for ambulance in New Zealand).
We will aim to complete this process with you within seven months of recruitment (however individual timelines may vary based on your location, the time of year and your ability to make time to participate in the education process).
Can you handle being a Frontline Ambulance Officer?
Click here to find out if this is a role for you
Click here to see how to apply
If your location is not currently advertising for volunteers, please register for job alerts and you will be notified when we advertise.
We have a range of exciting volunteer and career opportunities across New Zealand.