Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust

We are delighted that you want to volunteer at Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.

We are currently processing a very high volume of applications and yours will be processed as soon as possible. 

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - If you are in any of the vulnerable categories, you are advised against volunteering in. Vulnerable groups link and guidance 24/03/2020:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Please note: All volunteers at Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust are able to volunteer in the below roles;

2020 Response Volunteer

1.0 Role summary

The role of the ‘2020 Response Volunteer’ is to assist the Trust during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Being flexible and able to take on tasks that will support our frontline staff, whilst they care for our patients.

NB: All duties will be carried out under the supervision / guidance of the volunteer / charity team and will never include tasks of a clinical nature.

2.0 Key Tasks

 Wayfinding:

• Outside main doors to hospital sites advising visitors of visiting restrictions
• Outside main Emergency Department walk-in areas and BMEC, ensuring people are directed to the correct streams
• Delivering of donations for staff e.g. provisions of meals, shopping packs etc.,
• Receiving donations from patient relatives at main entrances to be delivered to ward areas
• Phlebotomy appointments check in – across sites and some Health Centres
• Distribution of leaflets/posters around the Trust areas

Keeping in Touch Volunteer

connecting in-patients with their love ones  

1. Role summary

The role of the ‘keeping in touch volunteer’ is to assist the Trust during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Being flexible and able to bridge communication between in-patient and their loved ones whilst staying in our hospital, supporting our frontline staff to continue caring for our patients medical needs.

NB: All duties will be carried out under the supervision of a nominated contact in the specific area.

2.0           Key Tasks

This role is ward based, helping patients to contact family/loved ones, using a ward based mobile phone or i-pad.  This role is purely for contact with relatives, not to discuss any care or treatment.  Being directed by the clinical team and/or ward clerk with regard to contact numbers and suitable patients.

Bereavement Support  Volunteer

 1.0 Role summary

The volunteer will be responsible for providing a compassionate and confidential telephone support service to bereaved families. This will help to support families of those recently bereaved. NB All duties will be carried out under the supervision / guidance of the Bereavement Care Coordinator.

2.0 Key tasks:

The Bereavement support Group would like volunteers that would be able to do follow-up calls

• This would be after their initial call (from a nurse), following a bereavement  It would be in an office space on Sandwell hospital site
• Social distancing will apply
• Training will be given prior to starting and not in-depth but basic and practical.
• A supervisor will be on hand if needed Attributes/knowledge/experience

The volunteer needed to be able to do the following: 

• Have a clear speaking voice
• Have empathy and show sympathy
• Be able to do a minimum of 2 hour shift/s • Computer literate (this is not essential)

2020 Pharmacy Volunteer

1. Role summary

The role of the ‘2020 Response Volunteer’ is to assist the Trust during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Being flexible and able to take on tasks that will support our frontline staff, whilst they care for our patients.

Volunteers to work at the Trust within Pharmacy will need to have pharmacy experience, either as a pharmacy student or pharmacist or pharmacy technician or dispenser from a different area of practice.

NB: All duties will be carried out under the supervision / guidance of the volunteer / charity team and will never include tasks of a clinical nature. 

2.0           Key Tasks

• Administration support:
  • Invoicing support
  • Posting and filing prescriptions
  • Maintaining spreadsheets
• Procurement support:

• Stock taking of critical medicines
• Confirming orders with wholesalers
• Maintaining spreadsheets

• Stores and distribution support:

• Picking of stocks
• Putting stocks on shelves
• Checking off orders and deliveries

• Dispensary support:

• Reception duties
• Dispensing (if applicable to experience)
• Clinical dispensary duties (if applicable to experience and registered pharmacist)

3.0 Confidentiality

The volunteer must maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients, staff and other Health Service business.

4.0 Health & Safety

Volunteers must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992). This ensures that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and visitors to the Trust.

5.0 Equal Opportunities

The Trust has a clear commitment to its equal opportunities policy and it is the duty of every volunteer and employee to comply with the detail and spirit of the policy.

6.0 Smoking

This Trust acknowledges its responsibility to provide a safe, smoke free environment, for its volunteers, employees, service users and visitors. Smoking is therefore not permitted anywhere on Trust Sites.