NCH&C Pool Van Volunteer

Role Profile

The aim of the role is to provide practical support to the staff teams at Aylsham and the Supported Care team by attending to various practical matters with the two/three pool vans.  The Pool Van volunteer will monitor the service history of the three vehicles and take them for checks as required, releasing the time of a clinician. They will monitor and maintain stock levels of the equipment which is carried in the vehicles and ensure that a good level of cleanliness is maintained. The volunteer will also fill the vans up with fuel as needed. Volunteering for this role involves an ongoing weekly commitment of approximately 2 hours.

We also have the opportunity for a volunteer to combine this role with another location (Kelling Hospital) to increase volunteering hours.

Activities undertaken by volunteers will not be used as a substitution for that of paid staff. Volunteers will not be asked to help in ways which facilitate a decrease in paid employment. The work of volunteers will always be to complement and not supplement that of paid employees of the trust.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities may vary from session to session, but are likely to include:

• Monitoring the service history of three vehicles and taking the vehicles to the garage as required- occasionally this may require action at short notice
• Maintain and monitor stock levels of equipment carried in the vehicle
• Ensure a good level of cleanliness is maintained, inside and out
• From time to time, fill the vans up with fuel
• Report any concerns with regards to the vehicles

Registration and training

All volunteers will need to provide two appropriate character references and complete our volunteer recruitment, including our Volunteers’ Induction training. This will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to Voluntary Norfolk and NCH&C NHS Trust, key subjects which are relevant to all volunteering roles, and practical matters such as how to log your hours and how to claim expenses. This training will also give you an opportunity to meet other volunteers. 

Refresher training sessions will be required throughout your time as a volunteer.

You will also be asked to provide details so that we can carry out a driving license check for you, and to complete a Driver Declaration form. You will be registered with the Trust’s insurance for driving the vehicles, e.g. to a garage for fuel and car wash.

Volunteer profile

A Pool Van volunteer will be friendly, compassionate and enthusiastic about supporting the staff of the two teams, as well as being organised and reliable.

In addition they will have/be:

• Good command of verbal and written English
• A commitment to undertake training appropriate to the role
• A full driving licence
• An interest in vehicles would be desirable, although not essential
• A good understanding and demonstration of customer service standards
• The ability to work independently
• A flexible approach and attitude
• Responsible, mature, honest
• Non judgemental
• A sympathetic nature
• Willing to treat all patients, relatives, visitors, staff and other volunteers with consideration, politeness, dignity and repect
• Able to work with the guidelines
• Able to accept appropriate supervision and guidance from staff

Support

You will be supported by various staff members who will be your main points of contact during your volunteering. In addition the Volunteer Coordinator will support you through your induction and provide ongoing support throughout your time as a volunteer. You will be invited to attend regular social gatherings, for all NCH&C volunteers, an opportunity to meet other volunteers, and learn about the work of the trust. All reasonable out of pocket travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Please note: You may be on your own for much of the time, while you are carrying out this role.  

For this reason, you will be asked to report in on arrival, to a named member of staff, and report again on leaving.

We will ask you to give us the phone number of your emergency contact, just in case we have not heard from you after you are expected to finish. 

This process has been set up for your safety, and It is essential that you agree to do this on each occasion, so that the staff team who have responsibility for you know that you are safe and well.