Patient Support Volunteer - Amputee Rehabilitation Ward - Colman Hospital

Role Profile

The purpose of this role is to provide companionship, company and support for patients during their stay at an NCH&C Inpatient Unit as well as assisting the ward team with basic non-clinical, practical tasks. Volunteers will spend time engaging with individual patients, providing companionship, an opportunity to socialise and the chance to feedback about their patient experience. Volunteers may also help with tasks such as gathering meal choices, sanitizing touch points and tidying non-clinical areas.

Pine Cottage, Colman Hospital is a nine bed inpatient ward offering a Specialist Amputee Rehabilitation Service that provides treatment and care for people who have lost a limb and who need further support before returning home from hospital. The service aims to help patients recover quickly and enable them to get back to a life which is as normal as possible.

We currently have volunteering shifts available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 11am and 4pm.

Activities undertaken by volunteers will not be used as a substitution for that of paid staff. Volunteers will not be asked to help in ways which facilitate a decrease in paid employment. The work of volunteers will always be to complement and not supplement that of paid employees of the Trust.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities may vary from session to session and any variations will be discussed with you as needed, but they are likely to include:

•  Spending time with individual patients, particularly those who are not currently receiving a visit from friends or family
• Supporting patients to access the garden area attached to the unit and the day area where they can socialise with other patients and volunteers
• Helping with tasks such as gathering meal choices, sanitizing touch points and tidying non-clinical areas 
• Supporting patients to complete activities such as a jigsaw or boardgame.

Registration and Training

All volunteers will need to undertake a Standard DBS check and provide two appropriate character references.

All volunteers will need to complete our volunteer recruitment, including our Volunteers’ Induction training. This will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to Voluntary Norfolk and NCH&C NHS Trust; key subjects which are relevant to all volunteering roles, and practical matters such as how to log your hours and how to claim expenses. 

Refresher training sessions will be required throughout your time as a volunteer.

Volunteer Profile

A Ward Support Volunteer will be friendly, compassionate, and enthusiastic about supporting the clinical team and the patients they support in the community.

In addition they will have/be:

1. A good command of verbal and written English
2. A commitment to undertake training appropriate to the role
3. A good understanding of the importance of confidentiality
4. Good communication and interpersonal skills
5. Good administrative skills
6. A good understanding and demonstration of customer service standards
7. A good telephone manner
8. The ability to work independently
9. A flexible approach and attitude
10. Responsible, mature, honest
11. Non-judgemental with a sympathetic nature
12. Willing to treat all patients, relatives, visitors, staff and other volunteers with consideration, politeness, dignity and respect
13. Able to work within the guidelines
14. Able to accept appropriate supervision and guidance from staff

Support

You will be supported by your Volunteer Champion who will be your main point of contact during your shift and your local Volunteer Coordinator. Your Coordinator will support you through your induction and provide ongoing support throughout your time as a volunteer. You will be invited to attend regular social gatherings for volunteers, which will give you an opportunity to meet other volunteers and learn about the work of the Trust. 

All reasonable out of pocket travel expenses will be reimbursed.