JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
HOSPITAL INFORMATION SERVICE VOLUNTEER
Location:
Coventry and Warwickshire University Hospital in Walsgrave, Coventry - PLEASE NOTE this is a different location to our other volunteer positions.
Volunteers will be based predominantly at a desk in the waiting room of the eye clinic, although there may be occassional need to leave the desk in order to escort people to a different area of the hospital or acquire information from a different department.
Purpose of Role:
To offer support and provide non-medical information to patients and their carers.
To ensure that those who are registerable leave the hospital knowing that help and support are available both now and in the future. Every effort should be made to meet individual's needs - if in doubt refer clients to Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind.
Hours of Work:
Mornings from 10.00am -12.00pm or afternoons 2.00pm - 4.00pm, although alternative times can be discussed if required. Ideally there needs to be a degree of flexibility regarding session finishing times in order to adequately deal with enquiries.
Duties and Responsibilities:
To offer a friendly welcome to visually impaired people, offering them the opportunity to talk and ask questions about their present and/or ongoing situation
To introduce CRCB and other areas of help and support which are available and to refer people to these accordingly using a referral system that will be provided
To liaise with hospital staff, social services and other agencies as appropriate and to liaise with the CRCB, Hospital Volunteer Co-ordinator and other volunteers who staff the Information Service
To help remove barriers and the feeling of isolation by aiding communication and interaction within the Eye Unit
To demonstrate any equipment on display and/or refer clients to the Resource Centre (Training in this will be provided as required)
To be able to explain the registration procedure and the role of social workers (Trainingon this will be provided)
To record appropriate information about each client
To maintain adequate supplies of current information leaflets for patients and colleagues and inform the CRCB when further supplies are required
To attend training sessions and meetings when requested
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Experience/ Knowledge:
ESSENTIAL:
Empathy with visually impaired people.
Good verbal and written skills
Commitment to tasks involved
DESIRABLE:
To have previously worked in a medical or care environment
Skills and Abilities:
ESSENTIAL:
Patience and tolerance
Ability to help co-operate with filing and recording procedures
Aability to work on own initiative
Desire and ability to liaise and work alongside hospital staff
DESIRABLE:
Previous experience of guiding (CSB can provide training in this if required)
Attitude:
ESSENTIAL:
Patient, pleasant manner, lively personality
Caring and confident.
Honest and reliable in order to maintain confidentiality.
Respect the needs and decisions of clients.
Provide information to the client without imposing your own opinions, desires and thoughts.
An understanding attitude towards sensory impairment.
Other:
ESSENTIAL:
Good personal presentation
Willingness to attend meetings or training sessions requested by the CRCB Manager
DESIRABLE:
Be available to accompany clients to collect prescriptions, go for X-rays and other areas within the hospital, as and when requested.
Remuneration:
This is an unpaid volunteer position but Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind will reimburse any public transport and/or mileage expenses incurred due to volunteering.
TO APPLY: Please download and complete an application form from the Volunteering Page on this website and return to the details given on the form. Should you have any questions regarding this position or require further information on volunteering, please telephone 024 76717522 or email using the Contact page on the website.
