Caring Companion Volunteer

Integrated Care System; Dartford; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local health service provider in Dartford is seeking volunteers as Caring Companions to provide support to patients in A&E. Volunteers will offer companionship, reassurance, and social interaction to patients, enhancing their hospital experience. The role requires a commitment of at least 3 hours per week. This is an unpaid position, ideal for those looking to make a positive impact on patient care in a healthcare setting.

Benefits

Training provided

Opportunity to make a difference

Qualifications

• No specific qualifications are required.
• Willingness to undertake Mandatory Training.
• Good understanding of English both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Introduce yourself to the patient and explain how you can help.
• Provide social support whilst in an acute hospital setting.
• Engage in activities to help maintain cognitive capabilities.
• Spend time talking to patients and offer comfort.
• Be reliable and able to make a long-term commitment.

Skills

Good interpersonal skills

Clear communication skills

Ability to work on own initiative

Reliability and punctuality

Job description

There are a number of volunteering opportunities offered by Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust at both Darent Valley Hospital and Queen Mary's Hospital, at Sidcup.

Volunteers help support the hospital in numerous different ways, assisting clinical staff on ward, meeting and greeting, as well as assisting office based staff with admin tasks.

We require the volunteers to be able to commit to a minimum of 3 hours of volunteering each week.

Subject to satisfactory references, Criminal Records Bureau checks and Occupational Health clearance and an informal interview we will invite you to join our volunteers.

You will complete our training programme and then move onto specific placements at the Trust.

Please note this is a volunteer position and you will not be paid for carrying out this role.

Main duties of the job

Visiting the Emergency Department of any hospital can be a very frightening experience as we become vulnerable and often distressed. Many of our patients may arrive with an acute need plus cognitive impairment or delirium. This can lead to patients becoming very agitated and unsure of their surroundings. Having a Caring Companion at hand will help relieve the distress of patients and provide support to the clinical team.

A Caring Companion has the qualities and skills that are necessary when engaging positively with people at a time of acute anxiety.

Caring Companions provide patient support in A&E, giving quality time, comfort and company to patients, offering reassurance, compassion and social interaction. This could be simply holding hands and expressing words of comfort. You will provide a friendly face, a listening ear and companionship and increased social contact.

As a Caring Companion you will complement the healthcare provided by staff in A&E, bringing many benefits to patients, their families and visitors and play a critical role in improving patient experience.

Due to the fast-paced pressurised environment of A&E, and patients who are particularly unwell or vulnerable, Caring Companions need to be aged 18yrs and over. Training is available.

Please see attached job description for further details

About us

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to volunteer in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work and volunteer. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Job responsibilities

Please note this is a volunteer position and you will not be paid for carrying out this role.

Introduce yourself to the patient and say who you are and explain what you are going to do/how you can help them.

Promote dignity and respect

Provide social support whilst in an acute hospital setting

Engage in activities to help maintain cognitive capabilities.

Spend time talking to patients and/or holding their hand.

Provide company and reassurance to anxious and nervous patients.

Spend time with patients who do not have visitors

Please remember you MUST NOT feed any patient. Ensure staff are aware if the patient requires assistance that the carers/volunteers cannot provide.

Help make beds which have been cleaned and use fresh linen.

Any other similar type tasks that may be appropriate, after discussion with the ward manager/matron/or relevant manager.

Responsibilities

Be well-presented, clean and wearing the appropriate uniform and ID badge at all times.

You will have good verbal communication skills.

Be reasonably fit and active.

Establish a friendly, helpful and effective welcome to patients and visitors in busy public places within the Hospital.

Assist our patients to access areas/services of the Hospital.

Maintain a friendly, open and approachable manner.

Be reliable and able to make a long-term commitment.

Be committed to all Trust's policies and bring Our Behaviours to life.

Be willing to complete all Mandatory Training and receive further training appropriate to the volunteer role.

Be an ambassador for Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust.

Have a flexible approach to your role and be willing to undertake additional tasks which are mutually agreed between yourself and the Voluntary Services Team.

Please see attached job description for further details

Person Specification

Education and Training

• No specific qualifications are required
• Willingness to undertake Mandatory Training

Knowledge and Skills

• Good understanding of English both written and verbal, with clear communication skills

Experience

• No specific experience is required
• Previous volunteering or experience of work in a health and social care setting
• Experience of working with the public
• To share own related experience to support patients

Personal Attributes

• Good interpersonal skills
• Presenting as smart and clean
• The ability to be friendly, polite and caring with patients, visitors and Trust staff
• Understanding the importance of confidentiality
• Ability to work on own initiative, and unsupervised at times
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Reliable and punctual
• Available to volunteer for at least 3 hours per week
• To embody the Trust's Values of care with compassion, respect and dignity, striving to excel, professional standards and working together.
• To exercise confidentiality and discretion

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Depending on experienceAs this is a voluntary role this will be unpaid