Volunteer Officer job description - St Christopher's Hospice

JOB DESCRIPTIONJOB TITLE:DEPARTMENT:RESPONSIBLE TO:RESPONSIBLE FOR:Volunteer OfficerSupportive CareDirector of Supportive CareAdministrate and co-ordinate day to day patient facing volunteersacross all hospice settingsOVERALL AIM OF POSTTo successfully administrate and co-ordinate day-to-day patient-facing volunteering across theAnniversary Centre, Inpatient Unit and Community (including Social Care Services) ensuring aprofessional and smoothly run service for patients, carers and others through strong and effectivefacilitation. This full-time position will be worked flexibly across seven days a weekMain ResponsibilitiesAnniversary Centre, Inpatient Unit and Community Volunteer Service:• Ensure smooth day-to-day provision of patient facing volunteer services within the AnniversaryCentre, Inpatient Unit and community• Develop and establish effective relationships with all members of the multi-professional teamwithin all areas of the hospice• Together with the Administrative Assistant, administrate and co-ordinate day to day patientfacing volunteer rotas and collate lists for volunteer support groups and on-going trainingsessions etc.• Be responsible for a duty of care towards volunteers, keeping in regular contact• Successfully integrate all new volunteers into the hospice; greeting them and inducting them ontheir first shift• Place volunteers with patients and carers in the community. Develop and maintain systems tofollow up this service and make sure all records are kept and filed appropriately• Administrate and co-ordinate feedback from users of the volunteerDATE: July 2013ROLE: Volunteer Service Officer

• Administrate, contact and briefly induct work experience volunteers for short term placements• Develop and maintain effective communication between volunteers and staff both as part ofhospice services and with relevant internal and external agencies• Act as the main point of contact for volunteers, and develop effective methods ofcommunication and feedback• Deal with any day to day volunteer enquiries and any other general enquiries as they arise.Signpost volunteers to other relevant staff and services• Ensure the availability of volunteers to support services such as the groupwork programme andthe transport service, either as drivers or escorts on the minibuses• Co-ordinate volunteers to keep all information across the hospice up-to-date, includinginformation leaflets and noticeboards• Auditing the quality of volunteers experience and feed back to relevant staff and managers• Be prepared to take on other tasks as and when required• Incorporate volunteers within any new projects at the hospice when appropriate, such as thenew pilot Social Care Service• Be able to offer effective short information sessions as part of the established volunteer trainingprogramme as and when requiredMeetings and relationships• Attend any team meetings as appropriate and when required• Liaise with and create strong relationships with the Anniversary Centre nursing team, theInpatient nursing team, the Home Care nursing team and the Social Care team• Liaise with and create strong relationships with other professionals both across the hospice andwithin the local community• Work closely with the Clinical Volunteer Development Lead and personnel departmental staff• Work together with the Personnel Department to develop systems for contacting prospectivevolunteers re: interviews and training programmes. Collate training programme lists, relevantstatistical data etc.• Be prepared to provide administrative support when required, such as typing letters andcovering reception when needed etc.• Trained in First AidDATE: July 2013ROLE: Volunteer Service Officer

PERSON SPECIFICATIONThe successful candidate would be expected to work independently and as part of a wider team. Theyshould have the ability to use their own initiative whilst remaining accountable to the Director ofSupportive Care. The successful candidate should also be able to work under pressure whilst remainingcalm, and have a flexible and creative approach to work. They will have excellent communication skillsand be able to develop strong and effective relationships with a wide variety of people.EDUCATION / EXPERIENCEA recognised qualification and extensive experience of working as a health care, social care oreducation professional is highly desirable for this post, however it is important that the applicant isenergetic and committed to developing a high quality volunteer service and able to make and sustainrelationships with a range of diverse people. It is also important that the post holder has someexperience of supporting volunteers to give of their best. It is also desirable that the post holder hasexperience of working in Palliative Care or a closely related area of health or social care.• Significant experience of supporting volunteers• Experience of working with the public• A proven track record of developing effective relationships within the work placeKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES• Experience of practicing as a, health care, social care or education professional• Up-to-date administration and data base skills -– Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint and Outlook etc.• Experience of compiling and presenting statistical information• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (both face to face and on the telephone)• Strong organisational and time management skills• Ability to lead and work independently as well as understanding the importance of developing andmaintaining relationships within the workplace• Ability to bring out the best in people within a challenging environment• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team to meet the needs of the service• Ability to work under pressureDATE: July 2013ROLE: Volunteer Service Officer

• A logical approach to tasks and problem solving• A flexible and creative approach to work and peopleDATE: July 2013ROLE: Volunteer Service Officer