Social Support Volunteer – Commonwealth Home Support Program:

Care, empower and connect with our social support program

St John SA offers a range of social outings and accompanied activities options to clients accessing the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). Outings are designed to keep clients active and engaged within their communities. Social outings can include:

• Art galleries and museums
• Garden centres
• Beach walks
• Coffee and cake outings
• Places of interest
• Movies and the arts
• Accompanied shopping
• Accompaniment to appointments

Start your Journey

To start your journey as a Social Support Volunteer you must have a valid Australian driver’s license, access to a vehicle that is comprehensively insured and maintains roadworthiness. Our volunteers demonstrate empathy and compassion towards older people and a willingness to support a range of activities.

Training:

• Community Care Induction 
• Provide First Aid course
• Monthly training related to the Aged Care Sector (e.g. Aged Care Standards, Manual handling, Dementia, Cyber Safety etc)
• Mental Health First Aid course (optional)

Your Role

• Provide practical support to socially isolated individuals.
• Time commitment: 2-4 hrs per week or fortnight per client. Volunteers can choose flexible hours ranging from 2 hours to 2 days per week.
• Independence and teamwork: Operate independently to ensure your clients remain safely connected with their community, supported by a team of like-minded individuals.
• Safety: Volunteer work insurance provides peace of mind to you and your client.
• Benefits: Access to ongoing training and personal development, and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.

Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS) – Home Care and Residential: 

This program supports regular volunteer visits to give friendship and companionship to older people.

We want volunteers to be supported in their essential role in the aged care system, supporting older people to live meaningful lives and building social connections that prevent social isolation and loneliness.

Start your journey 

To start your journey as an ACVVS volunteer, you must be willing to maintain regular contact with a client either in their own home or residential aged care facility. We have options metro-wide, so we can find something that fits in with your availability and location.

Training Modules:

• Community Care Induction 
• Provide First Aid course
• Monthly training related to the Aged Care Sector (e.g. Aged Care Standards, Manual handling, Dementia, Cyber Safety etc)
• Mental Health First Aid course (optional)

Your Role

• Provide meaningful connection to socially isolated individuals. 
• Time commitment: 1-2 hrs per week or fortnight per client. 
• Collaborative: Operate independently to ensure your clients build meaningful connections, within a supportive environment. 
• Safety: Volunteer worker insurance provides peace of mind to you and your client.
• Benefits: Access to ongoing training and personal development, and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.

Community Transport Driver:

Our Community Transport Program is designed to meet the need to access reliable transport by providing door-to-door service to those who cannot access alternative means of transportation. Our dedicated volunteers ensure individuals’ wellbeing during their journey. This service can be used to access:

• Medical appointments
• Community services
• Unassisted shopping

Start your journey 

To be a Community Transport volunteer, you must have a current Australian driver’s licence, be confident to drive in all areas across metropolitan Adelaide, be willing to undertake a volunteer driver induction, undergo a medical and commit one full day a week or fortnight. 

Training Modules:

• Community Care Induction 
• Volunteer Driver Accreditation Program 
• Provide First Aid course
• Monthly training related to the Aged Care Sector (e.g. Aged Care Standards, Manual handling, Dementia, Cyber Safety etc)
• Mental Health First Aid course (optional)

Your Role

• Provide safe and reliable transport to individuals that are transport-disadvantaged
• Time commitment: 1 full day per week/fortnight on rotating roster/flexibility for fill-in shifts
• Independence and teamwork 
• Safety: Volunteer worker insurance provides peace of mind to you and your client
• Benefits: Access to ongoing training and personal development, and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.

Event Responder:

As an Event Responder, you'll provide initial care and basic life support, manage clinical situations and ensure patient safety until further help arrives or they can be discharged. There are 2 stages to becoming an Event Responder which is the first clinical level for volunteers.

Observer Stage: Start as an Observer to see if clinical volunteering is right for you. Attend events with our team to watch and learn.

Student Responder Stage: If you decide to continue, join the Event Responder Training Program. This includes five (5) days of training and a final assessment. You'll need to attend at least five (5) events as a Student Responder to build your skills before the final assessment. The program typically takes three (3) to six (6) months to complete.

Training Modules:

• Organisational induction and operational preparedness.
• HLTAID011 Provide First Aid.
• HLTAID015 Provide Advanced Resuscitation.
• PUAEME005A Provide Pain Management.
• HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
• Child Safe training.
• Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) available for unit of competencies and health care students.

At the completion of all the Event Responder course requirements you will be issued with an Event Responder Scope of Practice.

Time commitment: Minimum of 5 event hours per month / 60 event hours per year and regular training sessions.

Event Medic:

As an Event Medic, you will manage patients and provide primary clinical care at events, apply clinical protocols and work independently at low and medium-risk events, while being supervised at high-risk events. Event Medic training can be applied for after completing a minimum of six (6) months as an Event Responder. We also offer a fast-track Event Medic program for Health Care Professional students in their 2nd year or higher of study.

Training Modules:

• HLT21020 Certificate II in Medical Service First Response.
• Advanced airways including supraglottic airways.
• Medical Conditions & Traumatic Injuries.
• Inter Muscular Injections
• Mental health first aid.
• Cardiac Arrest Management.
• Work with Diverse People.
• Communication.
• Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) available for unit of competencies and health care students.

Time commitment: Minimum of 5 event hours per month / 60 event hours per year and regular training sessions. Availability to attend high-risk events and deploy to state emergencies.

Health Care Students:

We offer opportunities for Health Care Professional Students to volunteer and train alongside our qualified Nurses, Paramedics and Doctors. Assisting them with patient care and gaining valuable experience and mentorship. 2nd year students may be eligible for RPL or fast track training to become an Event Medic.

Time commitment: Minimum of 5 event hours per month / 60 event hours per year and regular training sessions – flexible around your study schedules. Availability to attend high-risk events and deploy to state emergencies.

Ambulance Officers:

We recognise the HLT41120 Certificate IV in Health Care qualification. As a qualified Ambulance Officer, you will provide emergency medical care at events and may assist with non-emergency patient transport. Utilising advanced life support and trauma skills, you will collaborate closely with a multi-disciplinary team at events and emergency deployments. Additionally, you will support and mentor Student Responders, Event Responders, and Event Medics.

Training:

• Ongoing Continuous Education Program.

Time commitment: Minimum of 5-10 hours per month / 60 event hours per year. Availability to attend high-risk events and deploy to state emergencies.

Registered Nurses:

Registered Nurses who are AHPRA registered can apply to be credentialled as a St John Nurse. You are then authorised to use your approved nursing scope of practice within the St John SA credentialling framework to provide clinical care at events. You will collaborate with other Healthcare Professionals to provide clinical supervision at events and mentoring Health Care Students, Event Medics and Event Responders.

Training:

• Ongoing Continuous Education Program.
• Professional development sessions.
• Simulation training.

Time commitment: Minimum of 5-10 hours per month / 60 event hours per year. Availability to attend high-risk events and deploy to state emergencies.

Registered Paramedics:

Paramedics who are AHPRA registered can apply to be credentialled as a St John Paramedic. You are then authorised to use your approved Paramedic scope of practice to provide advanced pre-hospital emergency care within the St John SA credentialling framework. You will collaborate with other Healthcare Professionals to provide clinical supervision at events and mentoring Health Care Students, Event Medics and Event Responders.

Training:

• Ongoing Continuous Education Program.
• Professional development sessions.
• Simulation training.

Time commitment: Minimum of 5-10 hours per month / 60 event hours per year. Availability to attend high-risk events and deploy to state emergencies.

Doctors:

Doctors who are AHPRA registered can apply to be credentialled as a St John Doctor. You are then authorised to use your approved Medical Practitioner scope of practice to provide medical care at events. You will lead and support medical teams, liaise and refer patients to further care, whilst providing clinical supervision.

Training:

• Ongoing Continuous Education Program.
• Professional development sessions.
• Simulation training.

Time commitment: Minimum of 5-10 hours per month / 60 event hours per year. Availability to attend high-risk events and may elect to provide on-call clinical support.  

Bicycle Response Team:

The Bicycle Response Team (BRT) comprises Responders, Medics, and Healthcare Professionals with specialised training and skills. To join, you must be a skilled cyclist and pass a physical assessment, including an endurance ride and a beep test. Trained BRT members can deploy in areas difficult to access by vehicle or ambulance due to terrain, distance, or crowd size.

Youth Helpers and Leaders:

As a youth helper or leader, you will volunteer your time to assist with running the youth development program. This role is a rewarding experience where you can positively impact, learn new skills and engage with your local community to build their future leaders. Youth teams train every week for 2 hours during the school terms. The training program included first aid, leadership, and interest badges delivered in a fun, hands-on manner. If you are interested in volunteering with young people and are passionate about developing your community's future leaders, apply now! If you have a background in education or healthcare or are a parent, grandparent or older sibling, that’s a bonus!

Training

• Leadership Development
• Child Safety and Protection
• HLTAID011 Provide First Aid.

Time commitment: Available to attend weekly 2-hour youth training nights during school terms.  

Event Communications Team:

The Event Communications Team consists of two groups of St John volunteers with specialized training to ensure efficient responses. The Tech Team ensures the Radio network, hardware, computer programming and paging system are secure and operational. Communication Officer volunteers operate field systems at major venues and events, managing our Computer Aided Dispatch system which is crucial for Event Commanders, Organizers, and Emergency Services to achieve the best patient outcomes.

Training

• Computer Aided Dispatch System – Call Taking and Dispatching
• Communication
• Triage
• HLTAID011 Provide First Aid.

Time commitment: Available to training sessions monthly and attend events on weekends and weekdays.   

Event Logistics:

The Logistics Team play a vital role in providing Health and Medical Services at major events and venues. They work closely with Event Commanders and the Event Support Team to coordinate the supply of equipment, vehicles, and infrastructure in the days and weeks leading up to each event. This role is perfect for people who have a passion for organisation, enjoy working in a fast paced environment and are satisfied by seeing medical equipment perfectly stored. People with warehouse experience is a bonus!

Training

• Manual Handling
• Stock Control and Ordering
• Warehouse Safety
• HLTAID011 Provide First Aid.

Time commitment: Flexible with an average being 5-10 hours per month. Availability to assist with bump in / out for various events.

Leadership Roles:

Each volunteer team is managed by a dedicated leadership group of 5-6 volunteers. The roles within this team include Team Leader, Membership Support, Event Coordinator, Skills Coordinator, Volunteer Engagement Officer, and Logistics Coordinator. These positions offer you the opportunity to develop and showcase your leadership skills while actively contributing to the effective management and support of our volunteers. St John provides a platform for you to grow professionally, engage in meaningful community service, and make a significant impact on our volunteer operations.

Historical Society: Historical Society volunteers work tirelessly to collect, manage, preserve and research artefacts that reflect the history of the Order of St John and St John Ambulance. Many of these elements are on display in the St John SA Historical Museum, which is open for members of the public to enjoy. If you are interested in preserving our history, we want to hear from you!

St John Band:

The St John Brass Band rehearses at our Elizabeth Centre and provides musical entertainment at official functions, award ceremonies, and local community events. This dedicated group of volunteers brings joy and enrichment through their performances, representing St John with pride and talent.

Emergency Management:  

Join St John Ambulance SA as a volunteer and play a crucial role in state emergencies and natural disasters. Under the State Emergency Management Plan, our volunteers unite with emergency services to provide essential support. You'll deliver patient care at incident sites, offering overflow support to SA Ambulance Service. Train with us and be ready to make a significant impact when your community needs it most.