About this role
Job summary
Overview
There are a number of volunteering opportunities offered by Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust at Darent Valley Hospital.
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.
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 volunteer 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 and volunteer. 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 Volunteer 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 description 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/ /co-ordinator of the day, 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.
Greet patients to the department confirm if they checked in at the main reception if not help them to check in with the self-check-in machine in the department.
Help and direct patient to their designated clinic rooms/zones according to the allocation list
Assist patients completing the FFT survey when they go home after their consultation.
Help patients to take part in social and recreational activities.
Listen and chat with patients.
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.
Person Specification
Education and Training Essential
No specific qualifications are required Willingness to undertake Mandatory Training
Knowledge and Skills Essential
Good understanding of English both written and verbal, with clear communication skills
Experience Essential
No specific experience is required
Desirable
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 Essential
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.
Employer details Employer name Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
Address Darent Valley Hospital
Darenth Wood Road
Dartford
DA2 8DA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)