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