Section 5: Members' appointment to role and ranks

Underlying principles

Within these regulations, the term ‘role’ is used to describe the function or activity undertaken by a member and the term ‘rank’ is use to describe a formal grade within the organisation conferring authority.

St. John Ambulance is led by volunteers appointed to functional roles. A comprehensive role description shall be published for every role and appointments shall only be made of individuals who demonstrate the required competences or the potential for acquiring them within a specific timetabled plan. Some roles are prescribed in these regulations and others may be introduced to meet specific NHQ, county and unit needs. The need for leaders, managers, administrators and holders of other roles to wear uniform will depend upon individual circumstances. It is not essential for all roles.

At present, the roles listed in 5.3 are the basic requirement and role descriptions have been published. However, these roles should not be seen as exhaustive, permanent or unchanging but gradually evolving as the organisation itself responds to change that is brought about by both internal and external pressures and needs. As a consequence, role descriptions may change and some roles abandoned as new ones are introduced. If this is to happen effectively and efficiently for the benefit of the organisation, a measure of flexibility is called for from everyone involved. Equally, it is incumbent upon the organisation to provide the appropriate opportunities for the personal development of individuals to help them fit new or evolving roles.

One or more functions may be performed by an individual, depending on local circumstances and provided that there is no conflict of interest and that the individual can carry out both roles effectively. However, an individual can hold only one rank.

Some roles may be performed more effectively if rank is conferred to reflect members’ executive authority. These ranks should not be regarded as rigid and different rank levels may be employed for the same role in different areas depending on the degree of authority required and the capability of the member. Use should be made of the Personal Development Plan and other appropriate performance indicators to establish the extent to which the member is able to demonstrate the competences for each rank. Appointment to a particular rank should never been seen as automatic and an assessment of the requirements of the rank should be undertaken as appropriate and certainly on each occasion that the post-holder changes. Rank should never be seen as a reward, especially for length or quality of service.

In some cases, a rank is allocated to a role. It should be granted only where it enables a post holder to undertake a role more effectively than would otherwise be the case.

Rank does not necessarily reflect operational precedence. On operational duties, managers are appointed to undertake specific executive, leadership or managerial responsibilities on the basis of their appropriate competence and experience in relation to the specific nature of the operation. A member with a higher rank, therefore, does not necessarily take operational precedence at a St. John Ambulance duty. Duty management principles are explained in further details in On Duty.

Some units of St. John Ambulance operate on a democratic, elective basis. Where this occurs, such a unit must be governed by an appropriate constitution.

St. John Ambulance is advised and assisted by specialist members in its provision of First Aid, care and transport, in its management, in setting and maintaining standards and in the delivery of service. Such specialists are likely to hold qualifications in their own field of activity that are of use to St. John and their authority derives in part from their professional qualification and standing.