Job overview

Overview

There are a number of volunteering opportunities offered by Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust at both Darent Valley Hospital and Queen Mary’s Hospital, at Sidcup.

Volunteers help support the hospital in numerous different ways, assisting clinical staff on ward, meeting and greeting, as well as assisting office based staff with admin tasks.

We require the volunteers to be able to commit to a minimum of 3 hours of volunteering each week. 

Subject to satisfactory references, Criminal Records Bureau checks and Occupational Health clearance and an informal interview we will invite you to join our volunteers.

You will complete our training programme and then move onto specific placements at the Trust.

Please note this is a volunteer position and you will not be paid for carrying out this role.

Main duties of the job

Visiting the Emergency Department of any hospital can be a very frightening experience as we become vulnerable and often distressed.  Many of our patients may arrive with an acute need plus cognitive impairment or delirium.  This can lead to patients becoming very agitated and unsure of their surroundings.  Having a Caring Companion at hand will help relieve the distress of patients and provide support to the clinical team.

A Caring Companion has the qualities and skills that are necessary when engaging positively with people at a time of acute anxiety. 

Caring Companions provide patient support in A&E, giving quality time, comfort and company to patients, offering reassurance, compassion and social interaction.  This could be simply holding hands and expressing words of comfort.  You will provide a friendly face, a listening ear and companionship and increased social contact. 

As a Caring Companion you will complement the healthcare provided by staff in A&E, bringing many benefits to patients, their families and visitors and play a critical role in improving patient experience.

Due to the fast-paced pressurised environment of A&E, and patients who are particularly unwell or vulnerable, Caring Companions need to be aged 18yrs and over.  Training is available.

Please see attached job description for further details

Working for our organisation

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you’ll appreciate the opportunities we give you to volunteer in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we’ve achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work and volunteer. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.