Role title: Snack trolley volunteer
Division: Patient Support Services
Board/corporate function: Corporate Nursing
Responsible to: Dietician
Accountable to: Voluntary Services Trust Lead
Potential hours per week: 2+hrs weekday evenings from 14:00 or 15:30
Minimum commitment: Minimum of 1 session per week for 6 months
Location: T10, T13, T14 and T16 UCH Tower
ROLE PURPOSE
Haematology Cancer Care (HCC) is a community bringing together haematology patients, families, supporters and staff to raise funds for the hematology unit at UCLH. HCC organises a calendar of fun events and is a platform for fundraising activities.
HCC has recently funded a snack trolley which offers free snacks to patients on the haematology wards to help aid nutrition and hydration. When in hospital it can be difficult for patients to be able to eat properly and to get the nutrition they need as they may have periods of not feeling hungry or wanting to eat the food on offer. This role is about enabling patients to be able to access snacks and food outside of mealtimes in order to eat better and get the nutrition they need.
Proactively engaging and interacting with patients on haematology wards, offering them snacks and drinks from the trolley. Snacks also require monitoring to ensure that there is enough stock available and that all of the items are being used. The main aspect of this role is patient facing and spent encouraging patients to use the trolley but volunteers will also be involved in the support and running of the project with support and training from staff members.
There is also an opportunity to volunteer with a snack trolley on the oncology wards T10 and T14.This will available on Wednesday evenings only.
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 at each ward
- 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.
- Visiting haematology wards T13, T14, T16
- Encouraging the patients to have snacks off the trolley
- Explaining the aims of the snack trolley to patients and visitors
- Ensuring patients only take their allowance from the snack trolley and are not giving snacks to visitors.
- Encourage patients to complete surveys, comments card which seeks feedback about the hospital stay.
- Complete volunteer sign in sheets and impact reporting
- Checking and recording fridge temperature in which the snacks are stored
- Monitoring and recording snack stock levels and popularity
- Placing orders for new snacks when supplies are low.
- Following infection control measures in relation to yourself and the trolley
- Supporting with the delivery and unpacking of new snack orders.
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.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
- To work within 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 and be able to work within the boundaries of this role
- To be patient, organised and calm and cope in a busy or stressful environment
- To have the ability to escalate where appropriate when dealing with difficult and challenging situations
- 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
- To have an understanding of diversity and equal opportunities
- To be reliable and punctual
- Volunteers must be aged 18 or over Desirable
- To be able to speak other languages
- To have previous experience of being in a healthcare environment
- To have volunteered before successfully
