JOB DESCRIPTION

POST:Bus Driver

LOCATION:All Facilities - Belfast Health & Social Care Trust

GRADE:Band 2

REPORTS TO:Transport Supervisor

RESPONSIBLE TO:Senior Manager - Patient & Client Support Services -Transport

Job Summary /Main Purpose:

The post holder will be responsible for the safe transportation of clients between facilities/home/other venues, providing an efficient, safe and reliable service, contributing to the overall care of patients and clients.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

Transport:

  • Collect and convey elderly, mentally ill, sensory impaired clients or those with a physical or learning disability from their homes/hospital to Day Centres, on outings etc.
  • Drive any vehicle allocated within the limits of your driving licence, in a careful, lawful manner with special regard for the needs of the passengers or goods being carried.
  • Offer passengers assistance with seatbelts and secure passengers travelling in wheelchairs with the appropriate restraint and harness. Ensure that when transporting children under 14 years of age, they comply with the wearing of seatbelts. Report to Supervisor any passenger that fails to comply with the legal requirement to wear a seatbelt.
  • Ensure that clients receive any necessary assistance, whether in their preparation for travel, their movement from home/hospital ward to the bus, during their journey or from the bus to the Day Centre.
  • Administer emergency aid to clients sustaining minor injuries whilst on the bus.
  • Ensure the vehicle is kept clean inside and out and clean up spillages as they occur.
  • Facilitate clients in the collection of pensions, prescriptions, groceries etc by arranging routes accordingly, as directed by the Day Centre Manager
  • Move and transport furniture, equipment, meals etc as directed, in accordance with relevant legislation and training.
  • Be familiar with the operation of all Trust vehicles and the full range of associated equipment e.g. tail-lift, doors.
  • Carry out ongoing risk assessments of access to and from clients’ homes to ensure safe access for self and clients. Report any risks to your supervisor and assist in the rectification of the risks.
  • Transport guide dogs, with passengers, as required.

Client Care:

  • Ensure that the focus of your work is on clients and the delivery of a high quality and caring service.
  • Assess the level of ability and understanding of passengers and adopt the appropriate method of communication.
  • Be aware of and meet the transport needs of each individual as detailed in their care plan.
  • Maintain and protect the dignity and vulnerability of clients, having special regard to confidentiality in all aspects of their care.
  • Assist with client activities at the Day Centre.
  • Accompany clients, where appropriate, to locations outside the Centre. Accompany same gender clients to toilets and assist with meal service as required.
  • Report to a senior officer, untoward incidents, falls and complaints.
  • Report concerns about vulnerable clients, which are observed while in the client’s house, to the appropriate Day Centre staff.
  • Deal with untoward incidents and challenging situations as they occur on the bus.
  • Deal appropriately with clients with challenging or disruptive behaviour.
  • Ensure that alternative arrangements are made for clients when there is no access to their home address.
  • Ensure the safe custody of keys, drugs and cash on behalf of client as requested by the Day Centre Manager.

Vehicle Maintenance:

  • Carry out daily routine checks and maintenance of your vehicle including fuel, oil, water, tyres etc.
  • Report defects in vehicles or any other equipment, to the Transport Supervisor or other designated officer.
  • Complete logbooks and other documentation as required.

General:

  • Liaise with other Trust staff from Day Centres and Wards to ensure an efficient service to clients and patients.
  • Ensure a high standard of recording information, which may impact on the transport of clients.
  • Ensure that all complaints are brought to the attention of the Transport Supervisor and assist in the thorough investigation of such complaints to ensure that appropriate, immediate action is taken.
  • Maintain a clean and tidy appearance wearing the uniform provided.
  • Adhere to all Health and Safety policies, reporting any accidents immediately they occur and complete the necessary documentation and assist with the investigation of such accidents.
  • Participate in any appropriate training considered necessary.
  • Develop one’s self within the job to ensure continuous improvement.
  • Carry out any other duties as required.

General Responsibilities

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:

  • At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
  • Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
  • Comply with the Trust’s Policy on Driving for Work
  • Comply with the Trust’s Policy on the Prevention & Management of Alcohol and Drugs in the Workplace.
  • Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.
  • Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.
  • Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.
  • Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.
  • Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
  • Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Records Management

Used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004 and Data Protection Act 1998. Employees are required to be conversant with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policy and procedure on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

POST:Bus Driver

GRADE:Band 2

REPORTS TO:Transport Supervisor

RESPONSIBLE TO:Senior Manager - Patient & Client Support Services -Transport

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

  1. Hold a current PCV Category D Driving Licence with no Restrictions
  1. Experience in driving vehicles with more than 16 seats.
  1. Physically fit
  1. Clean and tidy appearance
  1. Pleasant and courteous manner
  1. Good communication skills

DESIREABLE CRITERIA:

  1. Have completed 21 hours of periodic training for CPC Qualification
  1. Experience of working with older people or those with a physical or learning disability.
  1. Experience in operating a vehicle passenger lift.