Volunteer Guidelines

Rights and Responsibilities of a Volunteer

The volunteer service at NHW endeavours to enhance and compliment staff with the aim of promoting the highest quality of patient care and constantly striving to provide comprehensive health and well-being to our patients and the community we serve.

Objectives

To support and assist professional staff in providing and promoting the highest quality of patient care, both in acute and sub-acute health provision.
To support the professional staff to ensure the client's stay at NHW is as comfortable as possible.
To endeavour to be of assistance and support to the families and friends of clients, without encroaching on their privacy.
To provide a channel through which members of the community can contribute resources, energy and ideas for the benefit of the hospital.

Volunteer Cordinator

The Volunteer Cordinator is responsible for the allocation of volunteers within the organisation.

Your Rights as a Volunteer

To receive a duty statement that clearly defines the duties of a volunteer.
To receive training, initially and ongoing.
To be able to ask for a new assignment when ready for a new challenge.
To feel free to consult the Volunteer Cordinator regarding suggestions or complaints.
To have a safe place of work.
To have a place of work free from any form of harassment.
To be kept informed of new developments at the hospital via newsletters and meetings.
To know to whom you are accountable and to have clearly defined channels of communication.
To be treated as a recognised member of the NHW employee population. Including OH&S, Fire and Evacuation, EEO compliance.

Your Responsibilities as a Volunteer

Commitment

A minimum commitment of regular weekly hours over a 12 month period. These hours are to be negotiated with the Volunteer Cordinator.
To inform the Volunteer Cordinator if an assignment is unsatisfactory and negotiate change.
To receive medical attention from the Accident and Emergency Department should a you become ill whilst on duty.

Accountability

All volunteers will have direct line responsibility to the Volunteer Coordinator. Day to day supervision will be provided by the designated Department Volunteer Supervisor.

Punctuality

Report to assigned area, according to duty statement at agreed time of commencement.

Absence from duty

If unable to attend for rostered duty, notify the Department Volunteer Supervisor or Volunteer Cordinator.
If injured or ill whilst volunteering, you are required to notify your immediate supervisor prior to leaving your workplace.
If no notification is received for 3 weeks, you will automatically be taken off the roster.

Registration and Identification

We ask that you:

Sign the volunteer register on arrival and collect identification badge (ID).
Record departure time on leaving and return ID badge to registration desk.

Each member of staff and all volunteers are issued with an identity badge, which must be worn at all times within the precincts of the organisation. This strengthens security control in the organisation, particularly in restricted areas and enables easier identification of staff and volunteer in dealing with clients, the public and other staff members. Staff and volunteers must not deface this badge. The loss or accidental damage to your badge should be reported to the volunteer office immediately.

Appearance

Volunteers are requested to wear neat casual clothes and protected footwear (covered toe) with non-slip flat soles.
ID badge to be displayed clearly.
Jewellery should be kept to a minimum for both security, safety and hygiene reasons.
Strong perfume should not be used.
Long hair should be neatly tied back.

Change of address and contact details

We ask you to notify the Volunteer Cordinator of any change of address or telephone number.

Family/ friends

As a volunteer performing duties at NHW, no family members or friends are to be brought into the work area.

Leave of absence

Notification of leave of absence should be made in writing to the Volunteer Coordinator at least 1 month prior to expected absence.

Discipline procedures

These are in accordance with NHW policy. A copy of the policy is available from the Volunteer Cordinator.

Resignation

Should you decide to resign, notification in writing should be sent to the Volunteer Cordinator giving at least 4 weeks where possible.

Fire and evacuation training

All Volunteers are required to attend the above training on an annual basis. Volunteers are to familiarise themselves with emergency procedures codes attached to ID badge.

Security

To protect your belongings, it is advised not to bring items of value with you, if you need to bring anything that needs to be locked away, please ensure this is arranged with your Department Volunteer Supervisor. NHW does not take responsibility for any losses.

Code of Ethics and Patient Confidentiality

When a client enters NHW the organisation assumes an obligation to keep in confidence all that pertains to the client and his or her affairs. This obligation rests with all individuals working at NHW including employees and volunteers. Except in the course of your duties, you are therefore obliged to refrain from discussing any patient or information regarding a patient with any person.

As a volunteer of NHW you are also required to comply with the "Code of Behaviour for Staff" of NHW. Non-compliance with NHW's code of ethics and confidentiality may include:

Repeating remarks overheard about the organisation, other staff members, volunteers or clients
Answering questions about a client's condition
Comparing similar medical conditions
Reading a client's case notes or chart
Performing duties outside of your area of responsibility
Giving professional advice
Being critical of, or interfering with, the organisation's operations of its business
Accepting money or significant gifts from a client or family
Giving money or significant gifts to a client or family
Imposing your own beliefs (including religious) or attitudes to anyone in the organisation
Becoming personally involved with clients and families
Taking photographs of clients
Giving personal details to a client for them to contact you at home or accepting client's details in order to contact them.

Under no circumstances may any unauthorised statement be made to the press, radio or television. Any requests from the media should be referred to the person in charge of the area.

Awards

Service by volunteers to NHW is greatly appreciated by members of the Board of Management, the Executive Team and NHW staff. Specific awards for achievement recognition and length of service are presented at the volunteers' annual Thank You Reception and the organisation's Recognition of Achievements ceremony.

Amenities

There is parking within the vicinity of NHW and a staff car park that is also available to volunteers.

Food can be purchased from the Coffee Shop or Staff Cafeteria, please ensure you are wearing your identification badge when entering the Staff Cafeteria.

Volunteer Office Staff

The Volunteer Cordinator is available to ensure all volunteers enjoy their contact with NHW. If uncertain about anything in relation to your role do not hesitate to contact the Volunteer Cordinator to discuss.