Download Draft: Volunteer Application Response Sheet

UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre volunteer role description
Role Title: Befriending volunteer Red Cell Haematology Day care
Responsible to: Helen DeMarco (Clinical Psychologist), Bernadette Hylton (Clinical Nurse
Specialist), Red Cell Haematology Team
Times: Regular shifts on Wednesdays 9.00am -1.00pm, or 1.00pm - 5.00pm or late evening and a
two hour Reflective Practice Supervision Group on a 6-weekly basis
Deadline for applications: 17th July 2015
Interview date: TBC
We are looking for people who are able to commit to this role for a minimum of six months to
one year
Thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia and other haemoglobinopathies are inherited blood disorders
affecting the body’s red blood cells. They are long-term, potentially life-limiting conditions which
require ongoing treatment and support throughout a person’s life. There are over 1,000 people with
these conditions registered for care with the UCLH Red Cell Haematology Service. Although these
conditions are not forms of cancer, patients visit the UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre for care,
treatment, information and support.
We are committed to ensuring that all patients attending UCLH feel welcome in the cancer centre
and feel able to access the information and services they need and that are available to them. As a
volunteer with the Red Cell Haematology Team you’ll be a key part of this. You’ll be there to talk to
patients, their carers and family, to listen to them and provide ongoing informal support during their
attendance of day care treatments and interventions. You’ll help to lessen their feelings of isolation,
to develop relationships within the service and to make use of the information, services and support
networks available to them within the UCH Macmillan Support and Information Service.
What activities will/could I be involved in?
 Greeting patients and visitors and putting them at their ease while they are attending day care
services for treatment and interventions
 Befriending, developing helpful relationships, listening to and talking with patients, their families
or carers who are affected by Red Cell conditions
 Liaising with the multidisciplinary team and supporting their work with patients
 Ensuring people know about and feel able to access other relevant services available to them
within UCLH (the Macmillan Support and Information Service)
 Providing people with available information and leaflets and helping them access further support
from the multidisciplinary team as needed
 Collecting data and details from patients to aid the team’s work with patients and enable the
consistent distribution of information from the Red Cell Haematology Service to all registered
patients
 Conducting patient surveys and questionnaires and helping patients to give feedback
Is there an induction and training?
 You will receive a full induction when you start
 We will provide all the relevant training you need for the role Including an understanding of red
cell haematological conditions and the support needs of people living with these conditions
 Your training needs and development will be reviewed and supported on an ongoing basis
What ongoing support/guidance will there be?
 You will be part of the Red Cell Haematology Team on the 4th floor of the UCH Macmillan Cancer
Centre
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In addition to your induction and training you will have regular individual and group supervision
with other Red Cell Haematology Volunteers within the service from one of the Psychology Team
to enable you to reflect on your involvement and role within the service
Staff are available for liaison, debriefs and support
Training on communication skills, listening and responding, professional boundaries and
managing risk
The opportunity for volunteer peer support and regular get-togethers
Access to Macmillan Learnzone for (optional) ongoing learning, training and development
What skills and abilities will I need to have?
 Reliable and consistent attendance
 Interest in and commitment to working with people living with a long-term and potentially lifelimiting condition throughout the different steps in their treatment process
 Friendly, patient, confident to approach people, respectful manner and attitude
 Interest in the role of befriending, developing helpful relationships, listening and talking to people
with these conditions
 Strong communication skills including effective listening, verbal and nonverbal communication
and sensitivity to others’ needs
 Willingness and ability to support people in health settings
 Willingness to develop skills in supporting people at potential times of distress
 Ability to develop an understanding about a specialist area of medicine and health and to engage
in appropriate training, support and supervision
 Ability to work as part of a team and a willingness to build relationships and support the work of
the Red Cell Haematology Team
 Ability to maintain good professional boundaries with patients and staff
 Willingness to commit to role-related training and to reflect on your role during regular
supervision sessions
 Basic literacy and IT skills
 Willingness to adhere to Cancer Centre policy, the Data Protection Act, Infection Control
Policies, health and safety regulations and to maintain patient confidentiality
 You must be over 18 for this role
 Because this role involves working directly with patients, we cannot recruit volunteers who are
currently affected by haemoglobinopathies, either as a patient, carer or family member
 You must be eligible to work in the UK
Where will I be based?
UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre, Huntley Street, London WC1E 6AG
How will I benefit from this role?
People volunteer for all sorts of reasons but the benefits of this role include:
 Meeting and developing relationships with people who are managing the challenges of long-term
illness – often in impressive and inspiring ways
 Working with a committed, knowledgeable and caring multidisciplinary professional team
 Using and developing interpersonal skills to make a real difference to people living with and
receiving treatment for long-term and potentially life-limiting conditions
 Developing new skills, knowledge and understanding of a specialist area of medicine and health
 Receiving specialist training and ongoing supervision from professional staff members in the Red
Cell Haematology Team
 Meeting and developing relationships with a large network of other volunteers
 Using your skills and learning to help shape the future of the UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre
volunteering service
 References (after 6 months)
Will my expenses be paid?
 We offer to pay volunteers’ “out-of-pocket” expenses within agreed guidelines (guidelines and
expenses form provided)
Date prepared: June 2015
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