Therapeutic care volunteer

Therapeutic care volunteer role description

Daily supervision:  Therapeutic support programme team office

Accountability: Nursing sister in therapeutic care & therapeutic support programme team

Location: 

• The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough
• East Cleveland Primary Care Hospital, Brotton
• Friarage Hospital, Northallerton
• Redcar Primary Care Hospital

Therapeutic care volunteers will:

• Engage with patients to provide therapeutic care and interaction
• Offer therapeutic contact that will provide comfort if appropriate
• Read quietly to patients if requested and at an appropriate time
• Chat about the patient’s history and interests, reminisce using memory boxes, photographs and music etc
• Accompany patients with staff permission (within the ward environment) to allow them the freedom to walk around thereby reducing restrictions that may lead to escalation of behaviours
• Help to therapeutically distract patients for example: playing cards, jigsaws, drawing etc
• Engage in general conversation and “really” listen to patients
• As part of the therapeutic interaction, encourage patients to be aware of their nutritional and hydration needs
• Support patients with staff permission who may need to leave the ward to attend other areas of the hospital
• Complete relevant documentation such as Forget Me Not forms, friends and family feedback and the completion of patient experience questionnaires
• To act as an ambassador for the therapeutic support team and promote the service

Personal qualities:

• Tact and sensitivity
• Excellent communication skills
• Commitment to the South Tees volunteering service
• Ability to work alone and as part of team
• Polite and approachable
• Professional approach

Training requirements:

As a therapeutic care volunteer, you will complete the following training:

• Trust corporate training
• Therapeutic Support Programme – Volunteer Induction Training
• Donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Your commitment:

Your commitment to this role will be discussed on an individual basis. We ask that all volunteers commit to a minimum of two hours per week.

Support and supervision:

Your first line of support and for any enquiries will be the therapeutic support programme team based in an office outside of wards 1 and 2, The James Cook University Hospital.

Communications:

The therapeutic support programme team will provide you with any information updates, training opportunities and upcoming events on a regular basis.

Users of the service:

All patients, carers and visitors within South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Uniform:

• Burgundy NHS volunteer polo shirt (provided)
• NHS volunteer badge (provided)
• Black trousers
• Black shoes

What departments can I volunteer in?

Adult inpatient wards
Women and children’s department

To apply for this role contact:

Therapeutic Support Programme Team Office
The James Cook University Hospital
Marton Road
Middlesbrough
TS4 3BW

Call the team on 01642 835863

Email us at [email protected]