Job responsibilities
Volunteer Dementia Support Worker Hospice Day Services /Inpatient Unit (IPU) - includes VtC Project Volunteers
Location At St Michaels Hospice, Bartestree, Herefordshire. HR1 4HA
Reports to: Sister / Charge Nurse / Senior Staff Nurse
Role Purpose: To assist the Care staff in providing high quality, individualised, palliative dementia care. To support the work delivered by the multidisciplinary team, which strives to enable people to live fully until they die.
Responsibility Areas:
Supporting Care Provision
All of the below will be under the direct supervision & guidance of a member of the care team at all times.
To assist care staff in the provision of personal care
To contribute towards ensuring a safe & comfortable environment for the patient
To undertake associated housekeeping chores (bed-making, surface cleaning)
To provide support to patient with their activities and interests/hobbies (music, reading, discussions)
To work as part of a team ensuring patients living with dementia feel engaged and stimulated whilst in our care. Facilitating activities appropriate to individual needs
The following may be undertaken, following appropriate training/guidance and only IF requested to do so by a member of the care team:
To assist the care staff in enabling the patient to participate in activities (eg outside in gardens) walking or using a wheelchair
To undertake arts and crafts activities with individual/groups (as long as a member of the care team has completed a risk assessment)
To assist a patient at meal times (as long as a member of the care team has completed a risk assessment and specifically delegated this task for this individual to you).
Communication
Establish & maintain effective communication & working relationships with the Care Team
Enable patients/ relatives/carers to express what matters to them or concerns them, and ensure this information is shared with the care team
Recognise own limitations & that of the role (boundaries) when offering support refer on to care team
Report any concerns you have to the senior member of staff on duty
Health & safety
Act at all times to promote the safety & wellbeing of patients, visitors & others using the premises in accordance with policies and care staff guidance / instructions
Ensure the environment is free from hazards and kept clean & tidy report any concerns to senior nurse on duty.
Education
You will be expected to attend mandatory training sessions identified as being appropriate to this role
If enrolled in Volunteer to Career (VtC) programme you will be provided with 60 hours of additional training, full induction programme, an individualised Training Portfolio, and career development support.
You will have the potential to attend additional courses appropriate to this role / career progression discussions with Ward Sister / volunteer Co-ordinator / lead Teacher Practitioner.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
Some previous experience of a caring role / working in Hospice setting OR if following VtC route no previous experience required, but attendance on VtC induction is essential BEFORE commencing volunteering shifts
Can relate to others.
Can communicate with sensitivity and has active listening skills.
Works well as part of a team.
Is committed and reliable.
This post is conditional to an Enhanced (Barred) Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
Applicants must be aged 16yrs or over to fulfil VtC requirements.
Equal Opportunities Statement
At St Michaels Hospice we are committed to an equal opportunities approach in everything we do. This means that we seek to ensure anyone connected with St Michaels, from patients and families through to donors, supporters, volunteers and staff are treated fairly, appropriately and with dignity and respect.
