Patient Care Volunteer (Inpatient Unit)

Main duties

• Work in a flexible and mutually respective manner alongside other Hospice staff and volunteers.
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
• Assist in maintaining clean and safe working areas which minimises health, safety and security risks to self and others.
• Refer any searching questions made by patients or their families to the appropriate member of staff.
• Report any concerns to the Inpatient Unit Manager without delay.
• In accordance with Hospice policies and procedures, and as directed by the inpatient unit manager, assist with:
• Preparing and serving beverages to patients and visitors
• Replenishing stocks in the inpatient unit kitchen
• Maintaining the comfort, dignity and safety of patients
• Sitting with patients
• Dealing sensitively with patients, families or carers that may be upset.
• Responding to patient bed bells
• Escorting visitors to patient rooms and showing round new patients/families.
• Making beds, cleaning patient rooms and sorting vases for patients; flowers
• Assisting in the absence of the ward clerk
• Assisting with errands, e.g. to the pharmacy or hospital
• Assist with some aspects of patient care e.g. Personal Care- Bed Bath, Showering, mouth care, emptying catheters, mobilising to the bathroom.

Communication

• Promote close working relationships and good communication links with colleagues at all levels throughout the hospice.
• Liaise with hospice departments and respond to enquiries from, and maintain good relations with, internal and external contacts at all levels.
• Support other members of the staff and volunteers by liaising, co-operating and communicating as and when required.

Training and Development

• Attend all appropriate statutory and mandatory training, including the completion of the Hospice Clinical Volunteer Training Programme.
• Undertake training and development as identified through individual supportive discussions with the line manager.

Health and Safety

• Take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and others that may be affected by what you do while at work, and to co-operate in the implementation of the hospice’s Health and Safety Policy.

General

• To be aware of and comply with all Hospice and Statutory policies and procedures as appropriate.
• To work as a member of the hospice team and to have commitment to the cause of helping patients and their families/carers.
• At all times to behave in a manner befitting the role and professional dignity of the hospice and ensure that the hospice is positively represented to the public and other stakeholders.
• To maintain an appropriate standard of confidentiality. Any disclosure of confidential information (including personal information kept on computer or any other media) made unlawfully outside the proper course of duty will be treated as a serious disciplinary offence.

Essential skills

• Good communication skills and the ability to interact with a wide variety of people.
• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team.
• Ability to deal with patients and families in a sensitive and caring manner.
• Ability to positively promote the ethos of the hospice and the work it does in the community.
• An understanding of health, safety and security requirements relating to the role.
• An Enhanced DBS with Adult barred List check is required for this role, the Hospice will facilitate this.

Desirable skills

• Previous voluntary sector experience.
• Previous experience in a similar role.

Values and code of conduct

• Adheres to Code of Conduct
• Adheres to Hospice Values and Behaviours
• Shows compassion
• Exhibits integrity
• Shows respect for others
• Teamwork
• Exhibits Hospice Culture Behaviours (I Care, I Learn, I Own, I Improve)

For more information about what it’s like to work with us please contact Volunteer Services on [contact hidden] or email [contact hidden]

We warmly welcome and encourage participation from all, irrespective of culture, race, ethnicity, disability, religious or spiritual beliefs, gender, age, sexual orientation, sexual identity or employment status.

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  We value diversity in all its forms and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, identities and disabilities.

About the Hospice

[Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk] have been providing exceptional care to people living with a terminal illness in Maidstone, Aylesford, Tonbridge, Malling and surrounding areas since 1991. We support patients with both cancer and non-cancer diagnoses, and those closest to them, and all our services are provided free of charge.

Our vision is that everyone living with a terminal illness in our community will have the best quality of life, for as long as they live. Our highly trained colleagues and volunteers do everything to help our patients live in comfort, with independence and dignity in their own homes, local care homes or in our Hospice. All our care is underpinned by our core values of compassion, integrity, respect and teamwork.

As a local charity independent of the NHS, we are reliant on our supporters and donors, our services cost £5 million to run, with over £4 million raised through the generosity of our local community. Our supporters fundraise in so many ways for us – from taking part in hospice events and physical challenges, to local business support, to giving in memory of a loved one (and so many more other ways), their generosity is incredible.

Why volunteer for us?

The roles our volunteers carry out are essential to the daily operation of [Employer hidden]. Volunteers give their time across all areas of the Hospice and we couldn’t provide the quality care to terminally ill people and their families in our community without them.

However much time you can give and whatever role you choose to do, whether you join our Fundraising Team or decide to volunteer at your local [Employer hidden] shop, you will be part of a network of volunteers all helping to make a difference.

Who can volunteer with us?

We welcome people from any background, with any level of experience, regardless of age, genders, race, faith, sexual orientations, parental or relationship status. We’re committed to equal opportunities and building diversity across [Employer hidden].

Commitment, reliability and flexibility are just some of the qualities needed to be a [Employer hidden] volunteer.

What support will I receive?

We are a warm and welcoming bunch and you’ll be encouraged to use all your unique skills and talents. Our volunteer roles are all given relevant support, guidance and training so you can carry out your duties in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere.

What impact will I have?

The support from our volunteers is invaluable from providing a much-needed cup of tea and a chat, to planting up the flower beds in the hospice garden and assisting customers in our retail shops. They all make a profound impact and help [Employer hidden] to continue providing outstanding care to those living with terminal illness and their families.

Register your interest in volunteering