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No One Dies Alone (NODA) Volunteer Role Description

 

Aim or goal of position:

 We are currently relaunching NODA support within Hospitals and Care Homes in Inverness and East Ross-shire and would like to invite you to consider joining our team. NODA companions receive training and support to enable them to visit/be with people who would welcome someone to sit with them during their last 24-48hours of life. This support is required/requested infrequently however you can imagine the benefit to the individual and ward staff when we are able to provide a companion for someone who is alone and in need of company. NODA volunteers following their initial training are placed on a contacts list and are contacted by email/text when a request for support is received. It is then up to each NODA volunteer to decide if they are able on that occasion to offer a few hours of support.

 

Responsibilities:

Each relationship/situation is unique

• Companions to the dying, providing comfort and support to the patient / client and their family.
• A peaceful, calming presence that lets the patient/client know they are not alone during their final moments of life.
• Able to sit during the night, giving family members a chance to shower and sleep.
• Available to talk, read, play music, quietly hold the patients/client's hand, and pray if requested by patient/family.
• Provide a listening ear for patients/clients, families, and their friends
• Establish and maintain appropriate boundaries
• Respect confidentiality
• Work within Highland Hospice’s data policies and guidance
• Communicate any concerns to the Service Manager or Service Coordinators
• Ensure visits comply with Hospice policies and operational procedures, this includes adhering to IPC requirements and reporting any health and safety issues and incidents as appropriate
• Refrain from offering counsel, providing clinical or delivering any care, advice or information which would require the input of a skilled professional
• Submit travelling expenses
• Attend to at least one (1) dying patient each year
• Maintain training / skills required for the role
• Attend at least one (1) Helping Hands NODA team meeting each year

Whilst companions do not perform nursing duties, they can ease chapped lips and alert nurses to patient needs.

 

Skills / attributes and/or qualification(s) required:

• Ability to adjust to being with people with increasing health problems
• Demonstrate sensitivity to end of life issues
• Work cooperatively with others as well as independently
• A caring, sympathetic, sensitive manner and a non-judgemental approach
• Demonstrates an ability to be a non-anxious, calming presence, and use silence well.
• Demonstrate emotional availability
• Ability to sit quietly for 2-3 hours
• Demonstrate appropriate personal and professional boundaries
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality
• Ability to secure information supplied in line with data protection requirements
• Persons of all or no faith
• Meet PVG requirements

Estimated hours:     

Companions should be able to commit to a 2- 3 hour shift when called to companion a patient who is dying

 

Scheduling: Volunteer replies to request for support via email/texts

(under review to move towards self-rostering on Better Impact system)  

 

Length of commitment sought:  Minimum of 6 months

 

Training:

Before you can support a patient/client you must complete all the following training:

•           Group information session - approx. 2 hours usually at Highland Hospice

•           Adult support and protection – approx. 1 hour 

•           Cyber Security and GDPR – approx. 30 minutes

•           Fire Safety Awareness for Volunteers – approx. 30minutes

 

Work site: Hospital or Nursing Home in East Ross-shire or Inverness

 

Benefits to the volunteer:

• Opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing of clients, their carers and families
• Gain confidence and friendship
• Gain advanced communication/listening skills
• Training specific to role
• Satisfaction of using your skills and contributing to the work of Highland Hospice

 

Start Date: To be agreed on completion training and satisfactory outcome PVG

 

Number of volunteer sought for this role: Unlimited

 

Role coordinator (s): will be responsible for: Support to volunteers, delivering training, monitoring service delivery and determining effectiveness of the service and agreeing service changes if required.