Volunteer Dementia Support Worker

St Michaels Hospice; Dormington; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A local healthcare charity is seeking a Volunteer Dementia Support Worker for their Hospice Day Services. You will assist care staff in providing personal and palliative care, helping to create a safe and stimulating environment for patients with dementia. Applicants must have effective communication skills and be committed to providing compassionate care. Those enrolled in the Volunteer to Career programme will receive additional training and support.

Benefits

Training opportunities

Support from experienced staff

Qualifications

• Must have previous experience in a caring role or be enrolled in the VtC programme.
• Ability to relate to others and communicate sensitively.
• Must complete mandatory training sessions.

Responsibilities

• Assist care staff in providing personal care.
• Help maintain a safe and comfortable environment for patients.
• Engage patients in activities according to their needs.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Sensitivity

Education

No specific previous experience required or completion of VtC induction

Job description

Overview

Volunteer Dementia Support Worker Hospice Day Services / Inpatient Unit (IPU) - includes VtC Project Volunteers

Location: St Michaels Hospice, Bartestree, Herefordshire. HR1 4HA

Reports to: Sister / Charge Nurse / Senior Staff Nurse

Role purpose

To assist the Care staff in providing high quality, individualised, palliative dementia care. To support the work delivered by the multidisciplinary team, which strives to enable people to live fully until they die.

Responsibilities

• Supporting Care Provision: To assist care staff in the provision of personal care
• Contribute towards ensuring a safe & comfortable environment for the patient
• Undertake associated housekeeping chores (bed-making, surface cleaning)
• Provide support to patient with their activities and interests/hobbies (music, reading, discussions)
• Work as part of a team ensuring patients living with dementia feel engaged and stimulated whilst in our care
• Facilitating activities appropriate to individual needs
• The following may be undertaken, following appropriate training/guidance and only IF requested to do so by a member of the care team: To assist the care staff in enabling the patient to participate in activities (eg outside in gardens) walking or using a wheelchair
• To undertake arts and crafts activities with individual/groups (as long as a member of the care team has completed a risk assessment)
• To assist a patient at meal times (as long as a member of the care team has completed a risk assessment and specifically delegated this task for this individual to you)

Communication

• Establish & maintain effective communication & working relationships with the Care Team
• Enable patients/ relatives/carers to express what matters to them or concerns them, and ensure this information is shared with the care team
• Recognise own limitations & that of the role (boundaries)
• When offering support refer on to care team
• Report any concerns you have to the senior member of staff on duty
• Health & safety at all times to promote the safety & wellbeing of patients, visitors & others using the premises in accordance with policies and care staff guidance / instructions
• Ensure the environment is free from hazards and kept clean & tidy; report any concerns to senior nurse on duty

Education

You will be expected to attend mandatory training sessions identified as being appropriate to this role

If enrolled in Volunteer to Career (VtC) programme you will be provided with 60 hours of additional training, full induction programme, an individualised Training Portfolio, and career development support. You will have the potential to attend additional courses appropriate to this role / career progression discussions with Ward Sister / volunteer Co-ordinator / lead Teacher Practitioner.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience
Essential Some previous experience of a caring role / working in Hospice setting OR if following VtC route no previous experience required, but attendance on VtC induction is essential BEFORE commencing volunteering shifts

Can relate to others. Can communicate with sensitivity and has active listening skills. Works well as part of a team. Is committed and reliable. This post is conditional to an Enhanced (Barred) Disclosure and Barring Service Check. Applicants must be aged 16yrs or over to fulfil VtC requirements.

Equal Opportunities Statement

At St Michaels Hospice we are committed to an equal opportunities approach in everything we do. This means that we seek to ensure anyone connected with St Michaels, from patients and families through to donors, supporters, volunteers and staff are treated fairly, appropriately and with dignity and respect.