Ward Support Volunteer - Amputee Rehabilitation Ward - Colman Hospital

Role Profile

The aim of the Ward Support volunteer role is to engage with patients on the ward, offering companionship, gathering patient experience information, and providing basic practical support to clinical staff. The volunteer will provide varied support depending on the needs of the team and patients. Volunteering for this role involves an ongoing commitment of approximately 3 hours a week on Thursdays. Please note that this opportunity is currently available for volunteers aged 18 years and over.

Pine Cottage at Colman Hospital is a Specialist Amputee Rehabilitation Service providing 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 Thursdays.

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:

1. Providing companionship to patients
2. Gathering patient feedback information
3. Providing practical support such as answering call bells and making beds
4. Helping patients to arrange and receive visits (real and virtual)
5. Handing out mealtime menus and taking patients orders
6. Optional: Coordinating a weekly activities session for patients, such as; Arts and Crafts, Reading, Knitting/Crocheting etc.
7. Reporting any concerns you have about individual patients to the Volunteer Champion

Subject to additional training and the discretion of the Ward Manager, additional responsibilities may include:

1. Accompanying patients outside and pushing patients in wheelchairs
2. Providing supervised meal time assistance in the dining room for patients

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.