The NHS in Norfolk and Waveney is on the hunt for thousands of vaccinators and support staff to help protect millions of people from COVID-19 quickly when a safe and effective vaccine becomes available.

By bolstering its workforce the NHS will be able to offer the public potentially life-saving protection from coronavirus in a range of locations, focusing on the most at-risk groups first, whilst at the same time keeping A&Es, elective surgery, GPs and community services going.

Matthew Winn, Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust (which is coordinating recruitment to Covid Vaccine Teams across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk and Waveney) said: “When we get a safe and effective vaccine, we are determined to deliver it to eligible people across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk and Waveney as quickly as possible.

“But it’s also crucial that we keep vital services running at the same time, so we need local people to join our vaccination teams, either as vaccinators or support staff, or as volunteers.  Whether you are retired, furloughed or actively seeking a way back into work – we would love to hear from you.”

“We’ll be offering posts on a flexible basis so that people can fit helping out around other work, caring and family responsibilities. So if you want to play your part in this historic effort, please find out more today; your NHS needs you.”

Roles we are seeking to fill across Norfolk and Waveney include:

• Clinical Operational Supervisors
• Registered Practitioners
• Immunisers
• Front of house receptionists
• Post-vaccination Observation Support Volunteers

While we don’t expect a COVID-19 vaccine to be widely available until January 2021, some work could commence from December 2020. If December is too soon for you, don’t be put off – as the vaccination programme will run into the Spring.

Parliament recently changed the law to allow a wider group of people to undertake training to deliver vaccines e.g. paramedics, physios, pharmacists, dental professionals, and healthcare scientists.  In all cases, appropriate training, supervision and PPE will be provided to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers and our patients.

Vaccinators and supporting staff and volunteers will potentially work across a range of different vaccine facilities, with local plans to be finalised when the details of approved vaccines are available and a decision on which groups should be the first to get it has been made by the Government.

If you’re interested in opportunities available across Norfolk and Waveney, we’d love to hear from you.  You can find out more by:

• visiting NHS Jobs at https://bit.ly/2IXLDwl where you can also apply on line, or

   

• contacting our HR Team via ccs.hrteam@nhs.net