WEEKEND
RAPID
RESPONSE
VOLUNTEER
(RRV)
10am – 5pm Weekends
ROLE OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE
Volunteers are a key part of the ward team and provide general, non-clinical support to patients. Being a ward volunteer is about proactively engaging and interacting with patients, sitting with people whom may be anxious or need a listening ear, facilitating activities, running errands or fulfilling basic shopping requests. It also includes providing basic support and encouragement to patients around mealtime.
For this role you would be based on a specific ward and work alongside staff to enhance patient experience. There is also an opportunity to work specifically on the Haematology ward, delivering free snacks to patients as part of patient engagement and in partnership with the Hematology Cancer Care (HCC) UCLH charity.
This role would suit anyone who is proactive, 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 some of the most vulnerable 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.
- Volunteering with a committed, knowledgeable and caring team of staff and volunteers
- 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 £4.50 per day)
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Reporting to the Ward Sister/ Nurse in Charge on arrival
- Proactively sitting with patients to complete Friends and Family surveys which seeks feedback about the hospital stay
- Proactively befriending patients, their relatives and visitors
- Taking around the morning/afternoon free papers
- Escorting patients to other parts of the hospital, as directed by the nurse in charge/senior staff
- Completing shopping for patients. Shopping request forms must be completed by the patient before taking any money. This is essential to avoid misunderstandings
- Promoting activities that help relieve boredom
- Helping patients manage the hospital entertainment system. Topping up on credit and taking requests for the hospital radio
- Promoting other volunteer services including the volunteer complimentary therapy services and patient library
- Topping up patent’s water jugs (either take some fresh water jugs around on the trolley or refill from the cooler as required)
- Complete activity sheets to record activities
Dining companion/mealtime assistance duties
- Ensure a thorough handover from the ward team before supporting any patients around eating in order to understand which patients can and can’t be supported.
- Check that menu request slips have been completed and returned to catering staff, offering support where needed
- Request clinical staffs to position the patient correctly or safely move the patient’s bed to the appropriate height.
- Wear an apron and gloves to protect your own clothes as necessary
- Assist the patients in performing hand hygiene duties and preparing them for their meal e.g. cleaning trolleys, filing up water jugs
- To provide support in taking food and drink to patients
- To engage in communication during meals to aid social interaction and stimulus to eat and drink
- To aid or assist a patient to prepare food such as cutting into smaller amounts or opening packets
- To assist with the hot drinks service in conjunction with the guidance/advice
- Supporting patients with their meal and offering encouragement
- Spotting simple ways to make patients more comfortable during mealtimes, e.g. getting an extra blanket if someone is cold
- Evaluate and record amount of food consumed by the patient on their food chart (where directed)
- To report to the nursing staff any concerns about feeding e.g. patient not eating/drinking, struggling to swallow, signs of weight loss
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.
SKILL AND ABILITIES
Essential
- To work with our values of teamwork, safety, kindness and improving
- To have a friendly and approachable manner and be able to engage with a diverse group of people
- To be understanding and flexible in responding to people’s needs
- To have strong communication and interpersonal skills with a good command of the English Language
- To be able to present yourself in a professional manner to members of the public, patients and their families, and staff.
- To have a good grasp of boundaries
- To be patient, organised and calm and cope in a busy or stressful environment
- To understand ward and hospital etiquette
- To understand patient confidentiality
- To be able to demonstrate a patient centred approach
- To be physically fit and able to stand/walk for 3 hours
- To be able to meet the minimum commitment periods for the role
- Volunteers must be aged over 18
Desirable
- To be able to speak other languages
- To have previous experience of being in a healthcare environment
- To have volunteered before successfully
