Description

: Support Volunteers are directly involved with visitors to the Kyle Ward Oncology Day Unit, Ayr Hospital offering support in a safe and positive environment where there is continuous support from paid NHS staff and other volunteers complementing, not replacing, their work.
Responsible to: Head of Cancer Support Services (HoCSS)
Hours: Thursday and Friday, 9am – 1pm or 1pm – 5pm.
Key Tasks:
• Offer a warm welcome in clinical waiting areas.
• Put visitors and patients at ease, offering a listening ear and an understanding manner.
• Preparing and offering light refreshments (tea, coffee and juice).
• Be familiar with the services offered by ACS.
• To ensure patients know where facilities are located.
• Referring any patient concerns about their clinical care to a nurse.
• Participate as part of a team.
• Attend regular support sessions with HoCSS.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures of ACS.
• Undertake training sessions relevant to your role.
• Other duties as required
Personal specification:
• Volunteers must be 18 or over.
• This is not a clinical role, and you will not be shadowing or assisting staff.
• Willingness to undertake any necessary training as outlined by staff.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to communicate well with patients.
• Enjoy interacting with people.
• Warmth, sensitivity, and a willingness to listen.
• Patience and composure.
• A caring, empathetic, sensitive manner and a non-judgemental approach.
• Reliable/ dependable and flexible.
• Understanding of confidentiality.
• Have a positive outlook and enthusiastic approach.
Personal specification:
• Volunteers must be 18 or over.
• This is not a clinical role, and you will not be shadowing or assisting staff.
• Willingness to undertake any necessary training as outlined by staff.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to communicate well with patients.
• Enjoy interacting with people.
• Warmth, sensitivity, and a willingness to listen.
• Patience and composure.
• A caring, empathetic, sensitive manner and a non-judgemental approach.
• Reliable/ dependable and flexible.
• Understanding of confidentiality.
• Have a positive outlook and enthusiastic approach.

Additional requirements and general information:
• Successful placement will be dependent on Disclosure Scotland PVG, Covid Age Risk assessment and two-character references.
• Maintain patient confidentiality, at all times.
• Volunteers should not: undertake duties outside this role description without checking first with the Nurse in Charge / HoCSS; undertake any manual handling tasks without the appropriate training; undertake patients’ personal or clinical care.
• A volunteer can offer emotional support and empathy but must under no circumstances offer advice or medical opinion on a patient’s treatment.
• Volunteers are in place to complement the work of the paid staff and are not used to replace roles that are normally undertaken by paid hospital employees.
• Volunteers are bound by the ‘Volunteer Agreement’ which should be signed and returned to the HoCSS prior to undertaking this role.
• You will be required to undertake training relevant to the role including ACS induction; role training prior to ward placement and other training as identified for the role whilst on placement.
• Ability to commit to the same times each week would be preferred.
• Expenses: All actual travel expenses will be reimbursed.
• All volunteers will be provide with 4-6weekly supervision by HoCSS.

Organisation aims and objectives

We are Ayrshire’s leading cancer charity that provides practical help and emotional support to people in Ayrshire affected by cancer. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with cancer, having treatment or caring for someone with cancer, we can help.  From providing transport and complementary therapies to offering expert information or to just being there to listen, we’re here for you.

Availability

Restrictions

Minimum age: 18

Support

Expenses paid: Yes