what does it look like for a expression of interest letter to an organisation seeking volunteer work. based on the below letter I have provided

• Your lived/work experience so far,
• Your knowledge and understanding of how to appropriately acknowledge and address health inequities including use of appropriate communication,
• The purpose and goals of the organisation, and
• Your future work intentions. - to be a paramedic

which is my cover letter below:

It's with great interest that I write to you today regarding the above-mentioned position currently

advertised on the I Work for SA Website. My name is sally edge; I'm a warm, empathetic and

passionate diploma in emergency healthcare student striving to obtain a position with the South Australian

Ambulance Service in 2023 as a Patient Transport officer. I believe the skills I have acquired

throughout the Diploma of Emergency Healthcare, past and current employment place me in good

stead for this role, and I would be pleased to showcase this.

Whilst undertaking the Diploma in Emergency Healthcare at Australian Paramedical College, I have

maintained self-employment as a Professional Newborn Photographer (since 2011). Whilst working

in both these positions I have had the chance to work alongside diverse individuals and experienced

healthcare practitioners who have helped shape me as a healthcare personal. Whist working with

South Australian Ambulance Service on placement, I have been able to demonstrate critical thinking

and problem solving in multiple situations, leading to an expansion of my current judgement and

overall knowledge. I have needed to understand and maintain patient and (my own) safety whilst

working in conjunction with other emergency services to ensure the best patient outcomes. Through

these roles and other employment within my working career, I have always maintained

confidentiality whilst complying with codes of ethics, company protocols and procedures, relevant

legislations and most importantly, work health and safety requirements. This experience is important

and transferable to the ambulance working environment.

In addition to this, I have undertaken 48 student paramedic placement hours in 2022 with SA

Ambulance Service (Noarlunga) and have completed a further 120 hours with SA Ambulance

(Barossa and Gawler) in April 2023. and from August 2023-current undertaken 2 days a week at Mallala station, I have demonstrated the ability to work effectively within a team

and autonomously as required. For example, whilst working with a patient on the spectrum, who

found it difficult to relate to people and was quiet anxious for the ambulance trip from one hospital

to the other however, it was imperative that I made the patient feel as comfortable as possible. By

engaging with the patient, learned of their interests and continued to ask all relevant questions to

make the patient as comfortable as possible, which was successful.

I value the opportunity to seek and receive feedback from my mentors in the pursuit of becoming

the best Health Care professional for my patients. I'm still very new to the healthcare field and

planning to expand my current skills and knowledge and intend on applying for university to study

for my bachelors in paramedical science for first semester in 2024.

Whilst owing my own business as a professional photographer, this position has granted the

experience and ability to improve my communication skills and resolve conflict to build trust with my

clients from diverse backgrounds. I have an extensive amount of compassion, stamina and patienceand I have found these skills to be transferrable between clients and patients, therefore assisting to

develop great rapport with any future client or patient.

My personal values align with those of SA Ambulance Service (Patient First). Which I demonstrated

on placement with the SA Ambulance Service during my placement hours. I have exceptional

communication skills with a high level of emotional intelligence and interpersonal skill and thrive in a

collaborative environment where I can utilise my initiative to achieve optimal patient outcomes. I

have a down to earth and warm demeanour, which assists clients and patients to feel comfortable

and safe in my presence - this is an attribute I take great pride in as I consistently strive to be an

advocate for my patients, by ensuring they are heard, understood, and their needs are met. I'm

resilient, proactive, and able to diffuse/de-escalate adverse events as they arise. I understand and

work effectively within my scope of practice and collaborate with others where higher care is

required. Above all, I operate with integrity, honesty, and a strong desire to help members of the

broader community in their times of need.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I have included my CV, relevant

documentation and reports. Should you require any additional information or wish to discuss

anything in more depth, I welcome the opportunity to speak with you. My contact details are listed

above.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely,

Find a specific, real-life organisation that has a social justice or equity focus within the scope of what they do. Patient transport with SA AMBULANCE - This could include (but not limited to) a health professional employer or service, an allied health clinic, a school or education setting, a community organisation, a health promotion organisation, an advocacy group or information service.

Ideally, this organisation would be somewhere that you might be interested in seeking work (voluntary or paid) either currently or in the future.

Research the organisation and any role descriptions/requirements for employees and/or volunteers.

The purpose of this task is to draw links between the learning outcomes in this topic and the opportunities for working in organisations that require the knowledge and skills developed through critical social analysis of health.

Drawing on topic materials and the information you have found about the organisation, expression of Interest letter, using the template provided below.

Date

Name of person the letter is addressed to Role that person has in the organisation Organisation name Address

Organisation URL goes here

Introduction The introduction section should:

• Introduce you
• Briefly outline your experience and why you are writing this letter
• Include: what draws you to the organisation, including the values, ethos, and activities of the organisation. Explain how those things connect with your past experience and future career plans.

Body The body should:

Summarise what and how have learnt about the following:

1. The importance of person-centred communication and approaches that are respectful of culture, self-identity, dignity, beliefs and values.
2. Integrating sociological perspectives into workplace reasoning and decision-making
3. Intersecting inequities
4. Facilitating strengths based, empowering, community-led approaches to health and wellbeing

Find ways to link this knowledge to the requirements and practices of the organisation. For this you will need to undertake some research - explore the organisation websites and documents to find examples to connect with. These might include (but not limited to):

• Professional competency standards (e.g. Professional capabilities for registered paramedics; the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers)
• Organisation Statement of Values
• Organisation Strategic Direction documents
• Cultural safety guidelines or position statement
• Volunteer role description

In this body of the letter show that you have engaged deeply with the organisation materials and have an understanding of how what you have learnt in this topic equips you to make a significant contribution to the organisation's purpose and vision.

Summary The summary should:

• Summarise recent experiences and roles that are relevant to the letter.
• Link to ways your skills and experience could benefit the organisation.
• Reiterate that you are interested in working with the organisation in a volunteer capacity.
• List avaliability.

Ending the letter

• Politely close the letter.
• Ensure you sign off with your name.

Reference list

• reference at least 6 topic resources.