Modbury Hospital Palliative Care Volunteer
Northern Healthcare VOLUNTEER Association
Duties:
- Sitting and conversing with a person who has a need to talk
- Listening to a person who has a need to talk
- Sitting in silence
- Offering patients, families and friends refreshments, ensuring you have checked the patient dietary requirements with nursing staff
- Advising relatives and friends of the available Health Service facilities
- Assisting with the entertainment of children who may be unsupervised
- Replenish patient water jugs
- Assist in meal set ups for patients who require help
- Making Toast when appropriate
- Ensure the patients immediate area is clean and tidy
- Ensure the family areas are clean and tidy
- Ensure the children’s toys are clean
- Refresh and arrange flowers for patients and the ward
- Ensure stock is adequate in the patient and family kitchen
- Restocking of glove boxes outside of patient rooms, the blanket warmer, personal care cupboard
- Replace Bagol bottles as necessary
- Invite the patient to outside gardens only with the permission of the current shift Clinical Team Leader
- Play cards, read book, magazines, newspaper, colouring, puzzles, letter writing
- If required, patient personal washing in ward laundry
- Washing of quilts
- Planning, assisting and executing with patient/s and family special occasions
- Assisting with the setup of the complementary area/s under the direction of the complementary Therapy Nurse
- Communicate with fellow volunteers via the communication book e.g. patient X likes warm milo
It is important to remember that certain tasks can be in higher demand at different times of the day.
Skills:
- Prior experience working in a similar environment is preferable but not essential
- Ability to use initiative and be responsible, flexible and responsive
- Ability to work independently
- Patient, tolerant and caring nature
- A tolerance for activity and a busy workplace
- An ability and willingness to follow direction
- Good communication (and listening skills)
- Non-judgemental values based
- An understanding of and ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion
- An ability to be able to relate to a wide range of individuals
- The ability to work in a team