Overview of the role

We’re looking for volunteers to help, wherever that help is needed. Our services are facing challenges like never before, and we’re looking for friendly people who are happy to carry out a range of tasks throughout the hospital to help patients and staff to help make these challenging times a bit easier.

What does the role entail?

• The main duties for the wayfinder roles:
  • Wayfinding – directing patients, staff and members of the public around the hospital and to clinics or appointments
  • Providing patient support – providing empathy and sympathy to anxious patients or relatives
  • Answering enquiries – about the local bus services, taxi information, and using systems available to locate visitors loved one
  • Liaising with internal departments – including informing departments if patients have arrived late, arranging for logistics services to locate wheelchairs, arranging for patient services staff to support patients to appointments, or requiring domestic services
  • Providing information – regarding hospital services and the compliments, comments and complaints process
  • Escorting patients in the hospital where necessary such is if they have a sensory impairment or require bereavement service

All our volunteer roles are support by the East Lancashire Hospital Trust Volunteer Services.

If successful you will need to complete a variety of pre-employment checks and training

Training - Everyone volunteering at the Trust must attend a volunteer induction and will be required to complete core mandatory training before carrying out any volunteering activity within the Trust and may be asked to regularly refresh training where required. All mandatory training will be provided free of charge to the volunteer. From time to time volunteers may be offered additional training opportunities related to their volunteering role, places will not be guaranteed and occasionally there may be a cost associated, this will be made clear to volunteers in advance. Any additional training that’s requested will be provided where possible.

Organisational requirements – Volunteers will be provided with and have access to the Trust’s volunteer policy and volunteer handbook. This includes information relating to equality and diversity, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality, infection control, safeguarding, and code of conduct. Volunteers are expected to follow guidance described in these documents. Volunteers will also be expected to sign and comply with a three way volunteer agreement, an agreement bound in honour only, which describes the expectations of the volunteer, the staff member responsible for them, and volunteer services. Volunteers will be provided with a uniform consisting of a volunteer service t-shirt, this must be worn at all times while carrying out volunteering activity on behalf of the Trust.

DBS Requirements – If this post involves direct patient contact and conveying patients between departments you will require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly CRB) checks. This check is designed to assist the Trust in making safe decisions around recruiting volunteers by checking the criminal record of volunteers carrying out activity with vulnerable people or children. Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant becoming a volunteer, any applicant with a criminal record should inform volunteer services, who will risk assess each case on an individual basis. There will be no cost to the volunteer for this DBS.