Hospital for tropical diseases:
Outpatients Volunteer
Role title: HTD Outpatients Volunteer
Division: Infection Division
Responsible to: : Robert Vicente, Charge Nurse
Accountable to: Voluntary Services Trust Lead
Potential hours per week: Wednesday or Thursday (10am -2pm)
Minimum commitment: One half day session per week for 6 months
Location: HTD Outpatient Mortimer Market Centre
ROLE OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE
This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest and most successful Foundation Trusts in the UK with an international reputation and a tradition of innovation.
In response to the changing needs of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD) Outpatient Department the welcoming and guiding role has been expanded. The role will deliver a more flexible service with volunteers responding to departmental requests as well as welcoming patients and visitors to the clinic.
Our services include consultant led clinics and nurse led clinics. The HTD serves long and short-term travellers, immigrants, and refugee populations and those preparing for travel. We also see a broad range of non-tropical infections from the community and healthcare settings in our infectious diseases clinics, in a rapid and responsive manner.
HTD on its 100th year, dates its origins to the old British Royal navy warship HMS Grampus, which in 1821 was turned into a floating hospital for the treatment of tropical and infectious Diseases. Since 1821 HTD has played a historical role in the development of modern medicine and dedicated to Tropical Medicine. HTD is a constantly evolving service which continuously provides new opportunities to expand experience and knowledge of the team with improvement projects, research, and pilot projects
The role will involve welcoming patients and visitors at the HTD and escorting them to their destination as needed. Volunteers are asked to put the patient at ease, so they feel comfortable in what can be confusing circumstances. Alongside this the volunteer will guide patients to other areas of the Trust as well as delivering bloods or documents to other sites in a timely fashion.
We are keen that patients feel comfortable and welcomed to HTD and this role would suit anyone who is proactive, kind, outgoing and good with people.
BENEFITS OF THE ROLE
- Experience volunteering at one of the most prestigious NHS Trust in the UK
- Experience of providing crucial support and customer service to a diverse group of people
- Ability to gain experience and insight into working within the healthcare sector including an excellent opportunity for those considering a career in health services or in customer service support roles.
- Induction and ongoing training and development
- References (on request, after 6 months/half the minimum volunteering period)
- Out of pocket expenses are covered in line with our policy (currently travel is covered to the value of up a £10 and refreshments up to £4.50)
KEY RESULT AREAS
- Reducing the stress and anxiety of patients
- Increased awareness of the patient pathway
- Enhanced patient experience and to help drive patients’ feedback to help improve the department.
- Increasing interaction and social contact with patients
- Minimised risk of infection
- Increased awareness of support and access to services:
- HTD service areas operate better
- Freeing up time for clinical/Admin staff to be with patients
MAIN TASKS AND DUTIES
- Directing patients how to use the swiftque.
- Offering tea/coffee for patients in the waiting area and putting them at ease.
- Supporting HCA/Reception about patients query on waiting time
- Ensuring patients are oriented and informed on what is going on.
- Ensuring patient is on the right place as there is a waiting area for dermatology.
- Supporting the HCA in directing patients where to leave specimens (Stool and urine) in the appropriate trays
- Collecting medication from the pharmacy to OPD for patients that need support.
- If needed taking items from clinic to the Ward and vice-versa.
- Taking urgent bloods to the lab
- To guide patients to the appropriate destination and ensure they reach it safely (main building for X-ray or Scans or the transport lounge of MCC by 4pm)
- To put patients and visitors at their ease
- To encourage patients to maintain infection control ie washing hands when entering a new department (even if they’ve washed hands at the entrance)
- To respond to any requests from Outpatients’ Departments, quickly and efficiently
- To work alongside the Nurse in Charge, Health Care Assistant and Admin Staff in a collaborative manner
- To raise any issues that arise with the Nurse in Charge or the Volunteer Services Manager to ensure that they are dealt with promptly
- Mentoring new volunteers
- To keep a record of patient interaction via Better Impact
Boundaries of the role
- Volunteers must not give out personal contact details (phone numbers, social media, email etc.)
- Volunteers must not get involved in any clinical duties or give clinical advice
- Volunteers must not push patients in wheelchairs until they have had training from the team
The role description is not intended to be exhaustive, and it is likely that after consultation duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances.
