Patient Companion volunteers play a vital role in enhancing the experience of patients at Casino & District War Memorial Hospital. Your goal is to encourage a calm environment and help reduce feelings of loneliness and boredom for patients.

The General Medical Ward is an acute medical ward. It is a busy environment, typically caring for elderly patients, some with cognitive impairments such as dementia.

By offering emotional and social support to patients though gentle conversation and distraction activities, Patient Companions relieve pressure from nursing staff, allowing them to deliver the best possible clinical care for patients.

A stay in hospital can be difficult for a patient’s loved ones and our volunteers may also offer comfort and support to carers, friends, and family members during visiting hours.

This is a personal, diverse and important role assisting patients with complex needs.

Tasks Required:

• Liaise with the Nurse Unit Manager upon arrival and completion of roster.

• Liaise with the Nurse Unit Manager during shift for direction, as needed.

Provide support to patients:

• Gather blankets, towels and pillows to ensure patients are comfortable.

• Prepare cups of tea, coffee and water in the patient tearoom on request, if comfortable to do so and after checking if appropriate, with nursing staff. Just in case there is Nil by mouth request issued

• Field patient and visitor enquiries to staff.

Spend time with patients:

• Listen to patient stories and respond with empathy and non-judgement.

• Using resources from the volunteer toolbox to facilitate quiet activities with patients.

• Assist patients to walk around the ward (as permitted by health staff).

Assist patients with personal needs:

• Assist with making phone calls and writing letters upon request.

• Help patients access clothing and other personal items.

• Arrange and refresh flowers in vases.

• Help prepare patients for departure from the ward including gathering personal belongings, arranging transport and communicating with a support person on request.

Staff support:

• Assist with mealtime by helping open food packets and having the meal trays ready to be cleared.

• Encourage patients to complete the feedback survey.

• Maintain patient information displays and help staff keep areas clean and tidy.

Benefits:

Volunteering plays a vital role in building strong, inclusive, and resilient communities in Australia. Within NSW Health, volunteering maximises the health care experience for patients and clients and is rewarding for volunteers and the health staff.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) encourages people from all walks of life to join our volunteer program as a Healthcare Helper. We aspire to reflect the diversity found within our communities to ensure we are best placed to respond to the needs of our patients and their loved ones.

Volunteering with Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is a fun and rewarding experience that gives you the opportunity to make a difference to the healthcare journey in your local community. Our volunteering program Healthcare Helpers creates opportunity to meet new people who share the NSW Health CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment.