Volunteers Needed:
Visiting Volunteer Program at St Joseph’s Hospice London
Are you looking for a way to support families who need a little bit of help? Consider becoming a volunteer at St Joseph’s Hospice through our Visiting Volunteer Program. By providing a friendly and caring presence, you can help alleviate some of the stress and worry that families may be feeling during a difficult time. It's a wonderful opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives and bring a little bit of joy to those who need it most. We need your help.
St. Joseph’s Hospice provides specialized programs and services with a person-centred holistic approach. Individuals and families are intimately involved in creating their own plan of care which best addresses their unique needs. Our competent and committed Hospice staff and volunteers work together as a team, with other community partners and service providers, to provide full support and quality hospice palliative care.
Volunteer Role Overview
Reports concerns to the Client Caseworker and/or the Coordinator of Volunteer Services. Hospice clients and family members receive exemplary care and support within the community and through the Volunteer Visiting Program.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Maintain personal boundaries, strict confidentiality and understanding of Privacy of Personal Health Information Act 2004.
- Uphold and model a culture of client-centered care with respect, compassion, and the dignity of the person.
- Adhere to all Hospice volunteer policies, procedures, and volunteer manual practices.
- Provide companionship and emotional support to the client and family.
- Offer non-nursing assistance with tasks such a meal preparation or laundry.
- Offer and provide practical support and simple comfort measures to each client. For example, reading, providing music, foot rub, hand massage, writing notes/journaling, puzzles, painting, etc.
- Offer caregiver relief for short periods of time.
- Assist with legacy work and/or letter writing, crafting, reading.
- Companionship calls by trained volunteers when in-person visits are not possible.
- Observe and report changes in clients’ condition or unusual incidents to Client Caseworker as soon as possible.
- A report must be completed after each visit to track volunteer hours and communicate questions, concerns or change in client’s location or status to supervising staff member.
- Alert Hospice staff to any client concerns that the Volunteer cannot/should not address.
- Practice good self-care. This may include attending the Hospice memorial services, educational workshops, etc.
- Is willing to participate in on-going education/training and support sessions.
- Maintain a clear vision of the volunteer role with clients.
- Be punctual, reliable and provide adequate notice of change in volunteer schedule and/or status.
- Upon exit of volunteer role, return Hospice name badge to Coordinator of Volunteer Services or designate.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and /or abilities required.
Ability to handle sensitive issues and situations.
- A pleasant and courteous manner.
- Any personal grief resolved sufficiently to perform within the palliative care environment.
- Understanding of diversity and adaptable to different cultural, spiritual, and intellectual needs.
- Trustworthy, organized, compassionate, caring, sensitive.
- Dependable, flexible.
- Must be able to work independently, as part of a team, identify personal limitations, reach out for support, and take direction.
- Effective communication skills both written and verbal.
- Professionalism.
- Ability to handle several tasks at once while maintaining calm under stress.
- Sound judgement and ability to problem solve.
- Possesses characteristics of warmth, empathy, creativity, sense of humour, common sense and has the ability to self-nurture.
Screening and Training Requirements
- Successful completion of screening process with review and signing of required paperwork.
- Hospice Orientation training and tour.
- Vulnerable Police Check.
- Review of Hospice manual inclusive of relevant policies and Health and Safety guidelines.
- Coordinator of Volunteer Services will review role specific instructions.
- All direct service volunteers are required to complete HPCO Volunteer Training or Fundamentals of Palliative Care training and Body Mechanics.
- Willingness to attend ongoing education and capacity building through workshops, conferences, meetings, etc.
Health and Safety
Volunteers are responsible and accountable for:
- Identification and reporting of health and safety risks, accidents, incidents, injuries in the community.
- Correct utilization of appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Flu vaccination highly recommended.
Time Commitment
- Minimum one year commitment.
- The length of the visit will be determined by the client according to their need and capacity and will be no longer than 3-4 hours in length, once a week.
Appropriate Attire
- Clothing that is comfortable and practical for this position but not distracting or offensive to others.
- No scented products: perfume, after shave, scented body spray, lotions.
- Hospice photo name badge must be worn.
Benefits of the Position
- Work as part of a dedicated team in a supportive environment.
- Rewarding experience.
- Supports the philosophy of Hospice.
- Social opportunities
- Give back to the community.
Authority for Decision Making
- The volunteer can make decisions within the framework of the duties outlined above. Any other requests for service, advice or support from clients, residents, family members or other staff should be taken to the Coordinator of Volunteer Services or designate. If the volunteer has any doubts about any duty this should also be discussed.
- Volunteers who are part of a registered profession in their personal/professional life (i.e. Physicians, Nurses, Social Workers, Lawyer, Accountants, etc.) or have a background in healthcare work (PSW, etc.) are not permitted to use these specialized professional skills as part of their volunteer position.
Please consider applying to volunteer with us.
For more information please visit:
www.sjhospicelondon.com/volunteering or contact:
Mike Balderston
Volunteer Coordinator. St Joseph’s Hospice
Michael.balderston@sjhospicelondon.com