Ward Visitor Volunteer - DVH

Job overview

Overview

There are a number of volunteering opportunities offered by Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust at the Darent Valley Hospital site.

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.

It is expected you will live within 10 miles of Darent Valley Hospital (DA2 8DA).

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

Volunteer Role Summary

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• 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.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.