NHS Lanarkshire Volunteering

A&E Volunteer

A&E Volunteer – Role Purpose

To support patients attending the emergency department to have a positive experience.

Where

Various locations throughout NHS Lanarkshire.

When

Monday – Sunday, various times.

Tasks to be undertaken

Volunteers can carry out a range of duties to support the nursing staff in the A&E department.
This may include

• sitting with a patient who has no one with them,
• chatting to relatives,
• observing the waiting area,
• topping up supplies on trolleys and escorting people to x-ray.

Volunteers can also serve refreshments under instruction from clinical staff.

Tasks NOT to be undertaken

• Manual handling of patients
• Pushing patients or visitors in wheelchairs
• Personal care
• Taking patients to the toilet

Skills, attitudes and experience needed

There is no experience required for this role but the following attributes are desirable

• Be able to work as part of a team as well as individually
• Be good natured and patient
• Be a good listener
• Be able to maintain confidentiality
• Be willing to attend regular support meetings
• Be interested in working with people of all ages
• Have an awareness of mental health problems, in particular dementia, depression and anxiety or be willing to undergo awareness training
• Be able to work within Health and Safety and infection control protocols

Support/Supervision

• A named member of ward staff provides day-to-day support for volunteers on site.
• Support can also be provided from the NHS Lanarkshire Voluntary Services team. You can contact the team at HRVolunteering@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk. This mailbox is monitored Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Alternatively, you can call 07966296367.

Expenses

• Travel expenses can be claimed in line with NHS Lanarkshire policy.
  In order to claim expenses all receipts must be provided when submitting expense claim.
  Please contact the team for more support in claiming back expenses.