Chaplaincy Volunteer - HVC 1872

Our volunteer Pastoral Visitors provide a listening ear for patients and relatives. They are comprised of volunteers from a variety of faiths and undergo chaplaincy-specific training in addition to the Volunteer Trust training. They cover both Queen's and King George Hospitals. Whilst some of our volunteers are retired from their previous employment, others volunteer around their work and/or family commitments. We hold Pastoral Visitors’ training three times a year bringing the team together to share experience and receive in-depth training on topics such as ‘End of Life Care’ and ‘Dementia’. We also have monthly group supervision for additional support due to the sensitive and emotive nature of their role.  Tasks

• To work under the supervision of the Department of Pastoral and Spiritual Care visiting specific wards at times agreed with senior sister/charge nurse.
• To ensure each visit is agreed with Senior nursing staff on duty.
• To make sure proper personal and hand hygiene is observed and hands are washed/cleansed with 'spirigel' between each patient.
• Pastoral Visitors will follow staff instructions should they visit patients in isolation/’barrier-nursed.’
• Pastoral visitors introduce themselves to each patient and offer them the opportunity to talk about their spiritual, religious or emotional concerns.
• When the patient does not want to talk – the visitor will discreetly move away from the patient’s bedside.
• At the patient’s request the Pastoral Visitor may pray with or for the patient.
• Pastoral Visitors should refer requests for Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Sick and other such religious rites to site lead chaplain (or deputy). If practicable, Roman Catholic patients can also be referred directly to the site RC Chaplain.
• Any referrals to patients’ own Faith community leader to be through site-lead Chaplain and only then at the patient’s specific request.
• Interest shown by a patient in attending a place of worship for the first time, as a result of the visit, must be referred to site-lead Chaplain.
• Similarly referrals for more in-depth spiritual or emotional care are to be referred to the Lead site Chaplain. Any interest shown by a patient regarding ‘conversion’ to a faith must be referred to the site-lead Chaplain.
• No pamphlets or brochures are to be passed onto patients without site-lead Chaplain’s knowledge or permission.
• Confidentiality are to be observed for the above mentioned referrals and Pastoral Visitors are to observe and respect the patient’s confidentiality within and beyond the ward

What skills do I need?

Chaplaincy volunteers need the following skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent attentive listening and empathy,
• Able to support people in distress. 
• Non-judgemental and respectful of different faiths and beliefs,
• Able to maintain confidentiality. 
  
• Volunteers must be reliable, able to work both independently and as part of a team, and know when to refer patients to staff. 

When do I need to be available?

Details

BHRUT require a long-term commitment to this role.

Where does this role take place?