- Hours: Voluntary, at least 2 hours in one day
- Base: Barnsley Hospice, Gawber
- Closing date: 21 April 2024
- Contact Director of Nursing & Allied Health Professionals, Ross Fletcher, for further information – ross.fletcher@barnsley-hospice.org
We have an exciting volunteer opportunity to support Barnsley Hospice as a Volunteer Ward Assistant!
In this position, you’ll assist colleagues to help improve our services, enhance patient experience and make their time in the Inpatient Unit as comfortable as possible.
Please note: all applicants must be over 18 to volunteer at the hospice and Retail Hub.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
The Volunteer Ward Assistant responsibilities will be based around the individual needs of the ward but could include some or all of the following activities:
- General tidying of locker/bed/table area
- Assist ward staff with bed making
- Awareness of any ward infection control procedures
- Refresh patients refuse bags
- Assist in movement and cleaning of equipment from ward
- Assist with restocking and tidying of cupboards
- Assist ward clerk with clerical tasks e.g. photocopying, answering phone calls
- Help to maintain up-to-date noticeboards
- Assist with patient Surveys/Feedback
- Assist with patient orientation of the ward
- Assist staff to prepare patients for discharge home or inpatient treatment
- Assist in prevention of falls, encourage patients to wear slippers, etc
- Making refreshments for patients and clinicians
- Help serve food and beverages (not feeding)
- Other tasks as directed by the Ward Manager
Other Responsibilities
- To undertake any other duties, commensurate with the role as required by the hospice management
- To act as an ambassador of the hospice, maintaining honesty, integrity and trustworthiness at all times
- The post holder will be expected to maintain strict confidentiality at all times
- The post holder will ensure that they are aware of and apply health and safety and fire precautions
- The post holder will ensure that clinical risk management and safeguarding procedures and relevant good practice guidelines are followed at all times
- The post holder is to ensure data protection is maintained at all times
- The post holder will be flexible in terms of working hours in order to meet service needs
- The post holder will support the hospice as required, across the range of duties as appropriate within the grading of this post. In the context of rapid and ongoing change within the hospice, the above responsibilities represent the current priorities and requirements for the post. These priorities will develop and evolve over time. Any significant changes will be the subject of full communication and consultation with the post holder
This job description is not an exhaustive list but it shows many of the aspects to this role.
What are we looking for?
Knowledge
- Knowledge of a hospice setting Desirable
Experience
- Experience of working in a caring environment Desirable
Skills and abilities
- Good verbal communication skills
- Good listening skills
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish relationships
- Compassionate
- A desire to support patients
Personal Attributes
- Courteous, respectful and helpful at all times
- Positive and caring attitude
- Enthusiastic
- Passionate about delivering safe care
- Reliable
- Trustworthy
- Adaptable
- Committed to the work of Barnsley Hospice
- Professional, friendly and approachable
- Compassionate and authentic
- Honest and trustworthy
- Well-organised with a structured approach to work
- Proactive approach with the ability to take the initiative
- Reliable and able to follow instructions
- Great team player and independent worker.
About us
Barnsley Hospice is a charity that provides specialist palliative and end of life care to hundreds of local people and those close to them each year. Our main priority is to achieve the best possible quality of life for people living with a life-limiting illness, whilst supporting those close to them during the period of illness and bereavement. As a specialist care provider, the range of skills we offer include, pain and symptom management, emotional support and end of life care. The hospice currently employs about 100 people and has a team of volunteers, based both at the hospice and within our Retail Hub.
We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQIA+ candidates and candidates with disabilities because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Barnsley Hospice.
