Ward Visitor Volunteer

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

Job summary

A local NHS Trust seeks volunteers to assist in patient interaction at Dartford and Gravesham hospitals. Roles include helping with surveys, facilitating activities, and providing companionship to patients. Commitment of at least 3 hours per week is essential. Ideal for those looking to gain experience in healthcare settings, with no specific qualifications required. This is a volunteer position, and applicants will undergo checks before joining.

Qualifications

• Good understanding of English both written and verbal.
• Willingness to undertake Mandatory Training.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients completing the FFT survey when they are being discharged from hospital.
• Help patients to take part in social and recreational activities.
• Listen and chat with patients.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

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

The tasks are ward based, and as such, involve a great deal of interaction with patients, their family/friends as well as staff. Volunteers do not carry out any duties or procedures which could or should be given by paid or clinical/professional members of staff.

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 work 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. 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.

• To Liaise with the Nurse in charge regarding appropriate access to patients prior to any activity/visit.

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

Assist patients completing the FFT survey when they are being discharged from hospital.

Help patients to take part in social and recreational activities.

Listen and chat with patients.

Provide company and reassure to anxious and nervous patients.

Spend time with patients who do not have many visitors.

Help patients fill out menu cards if instructed by healthcare team.

Assist patients in preparing for meal times, clearing tables and assisting with hand hygiene.

Encourage patients to eat and remind them where necessary, if they have not finished their food. Ensure all food and drink is within easy reach of each patient.

Ensure the patient has the correct meal. Assist patients in cutting food and opening packets.

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

Refresh patient water jugs as required

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

Assist our Valley Park Radio volunteer colleagues by making patients aware of VPR. Ask them for music request and pass them on to the VPR team. More information will be given on induction.

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 experienceThis is a voluntary role and is therefore unpaid