• What work did you do before you joined Medvivo?

  For 26 years I worked around the world for the Britsh Army, progressing from trooper to officer in that time. Although radio communication was my speciality, I worked with horses and tanks, and trained new recruits.

  After leaving, I set up and ran a private chauffeur business in London.

• Why did you choose to work for us?

  After being made redundant early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw a driving opportunity that was local and different to anything I had done before. 

  The role is now much more than just driving and is a great way to support the local community in getting access to local healthcare services when they need it.

  The work is based on a fixed rota which fitted with the hours I was looking for. The ability to work additional hours is optional, and enables you to be able to maintain a good work/life balance.

• What do you get up to on a typical shift?

  There are base and mobile shifts available for this role. If you are mobile, your priority is supporting getting clinicians to and from home visit appointments for those patients who are unable to travel to a primary care centre.

  We check the vehicles at the start (and end) of each shift, and, as we carry a range of clinical equipment, prescriptions and medication, it is our responsibility to ensure we have everything a clinician might need for the visits. 

  All activities during visits are documented and this helps us to re-stock at the end of a shift.

  When working from one of the Urgent Care bases, you will also manage the patient arrival and provide support to the clinician as required - just like you would in the mobile shift. This can range from calling an ambulance, chaperoning the patient, or arranging follow up appointments through the office coordinator team. 

  Like the cars, the bases also hold equipment, medication and prescriptions/paperwork. It is also part of the Urgent Care Assistant role to ensure everything is in working order and fully stocked.

  We also carry out comfort calls to provide reassurance to patients waiting to be called back. If there are any changes in symptoms, we can then escalate or deescalate as needed. 

  You can get up to so many things during a shift, there's great variety in the work you do and no two shifts are ever the same. Even when it's quiet, there's plenty to do with checks and e-learning.

• What do you like most about working here?

  Medvivo is a friendly and very personable company to work for. 

  Because you tend to be in contact with the same people in the various teams. it feels small and personable - yet you are actually part of quite a good-sized company. 

  Everyone is so helpful. As a company that provides services 24/7, there is never a time when you can't get help or support when you need it. 

• What has been your biggest achievement or something you’ve been most proud of?

  I'm proud of my work ethic and every shift I always do the best I can. 

  Sometimes you have to be flexible to support the service and step up when there are potential concerns. Whether you're working at a base or out in the vehicle, you never know what support you might need to give.

  For example, one week due to short notice absence I worked at every base across the area. I've also been called on to support with making up patient information packs when demand warranted additional stock to be available. 

  Being able to provide additional support, however that might be needed, makes me feel like I'm doing the best I can for a company that's doing the best it can for the local community. That makes me proud.

• What challenges do you face in your role?

  The biggest challenge is that you're often working when other services are not available. Mental health cases are the most difficult, as the crisis teams do not tend to work overnight.

  That said, it is not an insurmountable challenge. You have access to emergency services and district nurse teams. The coordinator team provide excellent support when you need it, and if they can't help they are ably supported by an on call team who are available 24/7, 365 days a year.

• What makes someone successful here?

  To be successful, I'd say be interested in what you're doing. Be hands on and show that you're there to support the clinical teams. 

  As we carry out lots of checks, you need excellent attention to detail. It's also helpful to have good communication skills, and be prepared to ask questions - and listen. There can be a lot to take in, so ask, check and, if needs be, ask again. 

  As part of the induction, there is a lot of training and you get to join other team members on shadow shifts. It's impossible to cover every eventuality, but these sessions are great for bonding and knowing your team who will always be happy to support whether you've been here 5 minutes or 5 years. 

• How are you supported in your role?

  In addition to the support you get during a shift from your team members and colleagues in the call centres, every base has a team lead and each team has a service lead.

  We have regular team meetings to be updated on changes to processes and/or service developments.

  All staff have one-to-one meetings with goals set for you to achieve during the year. This is also an opportunity to raise any training concerns and arrange top up sessions for any knowledge gaps you may have. These can be raised at any time, not just at meetings. 

  If you're interested in taking on additional responsibilities, these can also be raised with your team lead.

• What makes us unique as an employer?

  Being a very personable company makes Medvivo unique. The people you work with makes the job so much more enjoyable, and knowing their support is there for you 24/7 is so reassuring - especially when you're working overnight.

• What would you say to someone who is thinking of working for us?

  If you enjoy variety, I'd definitely recommend coming here to work. 

  The people are so friendly, you'll soon find yourself part of an extended Medvivo family, wherever you are doing your shift!

Back to index