Job summary
Please note that volunteering is an unpaid role - we are unable to offer sponsorship as volunteering does not meet UK sponsorship requirements
Are you friendly and approachable? Are you confident speaking with people and offering help? Can you spare 4 hours every week?
We are looking for warm, approachable Desk Guide volunteers who will be based at our information desks to support people coming into the hospital Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:15pm.
When you volunteer with us, you help to improve patient experience by supporting staff and offering a warm welcome to everyone entering the hospital.
As a Desk Guide, you will welcome patients and visitors to the hospital with a friendly smile and signpost them to where they need to be.
Our volunteers play a vital part in creating a positive, caring environment making a genuine difference at moments when patients need connection the most.
Why Volunteer With Us?
- Build connections with patients and other volunteers
- Use your life experience to support those who need assistance
- Gain fulfilment from helping others feel seen, heard, and supported
- Be part of a warm, inclusive and supportive team
Main duties of the job
Greeting and Welcome: Greet visitors, patients, and families at the main entrance or information desk with a friendly and supportive manner
Signposting and Guidance: Direct outpatients to clinics, wards, or departments, family and Friends to wards
Information Provision: Provide clear directions, maps, and information regarding amenities such as restrooms, cafes, shops, and car parks
Assistance Services: Assist with simple enquiries, location of appointments/departments/ward
Communication: Actively offer help to anyone who appears lost or disoriented
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
- Compassion
- Accountability
- Respect
- Integrity
- Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Greeting and Welcome: Greet visitors, patients, and families at the main entrance or information desk with a friendly and supportive manner
Signposting and Guidance: Direct outpatients to clinics, wards, or departments, family and Friends to wards
Information Provision: Provide clear directions, maps, and information regarding amenities such as restrooms, cafes, shops, and car parks
Assistance Services: Assist with simple enquiries, location of appointments/departments/ward
Communication: Actively offer help to anyone who appears lost or disoriented
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, if you require reasonable adjustments to make your application, please contact us on 01604 523159 to book an appointment with the team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Greeting and Welcome: Greet visitors, patients, and families at the main entrance or information desk with a friendly and supportive manner
Signposting and Guidance: Direct outpatients to clinics, wards, or departments, family and Friends to wards
Information Provision: Provide clear directions, maps, and information regarding amenities such as restrooms, cafes, shops, and car parks
Assistance Services: Assist with simple enquiries, location of appointments/departments/ward
Communication: Actively offer help to anyone who appears lost or disoriented
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, if you require reasonable adjustments to make your application, please contact us on 01604 523159 to book an appointment with the team.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience assisting the public.
Skills
Essential
- Show empathy and compassion towards others and treats people with dignity and respect
Desirable
- Ability to communicate in a calm and professional manner
Key Competencies. Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Recognise when appropriate to seek support from others.
- Reliable, honest and punctual.
- Ability to exercise confidentiality and discretion
Education, Training and Qualifications
Desirable
- No specific qualifications are required for this role, although any relevant qualifications should be detailed on the application.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience assisting the public.
Skills
Essential
- Show empathy and compassion towards others and treats people with dignity and respect
Desirable
- Ability to communicate in a calm and professional manner
Key Competencies. Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Recognise when appropriate to seek support from others.
- Reliable, honest and punctual.
- Ability to exercise confidentiality and discretion
Education, Training and Qualifications
Desirable
- No specific qualifications are required for this role, although any relevant qualifications should be detailed on the application.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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