Community occupational therapist volunteer roles
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role summary
The use of complementary therapies in palliative care has become an increasingly significant feature of health care and evidence shows that therapies can support the emotional, mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing of patients and their families and carers, and those facing loss and bereavement. This role will give you the unique opportunity to use your incredible skills, qualities, and knowledge to gain experience in specialised healthcare for end of life and bereavement. This will enable you to build confidence and ability to provide care and wellbeing in an integrated hospice environment. Research has shown that its use alongside conventional medicine can help enhance relaxation and well-being, and relieve stress and anxiety, as well as help with the management of specific issues such as symptom control of fatigue, breathlessness, nausea, and pain.
An enhanced adult & child DBS check is required for this role.
Main duties of the role
• Provide therapies in accordance with the complementary therapy policy and procedure, as well as the code of ethics and practice.
• Assess and plan patients’ treatment and documentation of given treatment and patient response.
• Report any concerns you may have about a patient’s/client’s health or welfare (or anything the patient may have said that is of concern) to the IPU team or CT team lead
• Uphold the confidentiality guidance in all matters relating to the patient or their family.
• Be generally aware of patients’ needs and always ensure the dignity of the patients.
• Maintain good infection control practices at all times
• Prepare the complementary therapy treatment areas before and after a treatment
• Adhere to the dress code requirements.
• Seek support and advice when needed.
• To adhere to the CT code of conduct and ethics
• Provide feedback, including reports of any adverse effects, to the Complementary Therapy Lead.
• To undertake any other tasks as requested/deemed appropriate with the nature of the role.
• Complete all paperwork and feedback clearly and objectively
• Adhere to relevant and current protocols for the practice of the specific therapy or therapies.
All complementary therapies are characterised by treating the whole person, considering the mental, emotional and physical factors associated with the challenges they face. Complementary therapies work with the total care given, to promote comfort and support for both patients and their families/carers. We also support those who access our bereavement services.
Training & supervision
We will provide you with practice into palliative and bereavement care by extending the opportunities for you to gain valuable hands-on experience that will affirm your vocational knowledge and skills. Other training includes:
• There will be an induction to the hospice and all volunteers must undertake mandatory health and safety training. In addition, all volunteer complementary therapists have to undergo an enhanced DBS check, undertake safeguarding, accessing personal information (medical record information) and lone working training
• To undertake an induction into the complementary therapy service, this may include shadowing another volunteer therapist, as appropriate.
• To attend meetings/supervision and training in palliative needs.
Experience & qualifications required
• You will need to be qualified and hold the appropriate certifications in the relevant practice:
o L3+ Aromatherapy
o L3+ Massage therapy
o L3+ Reflexology
o L3+ Holistic therapy
o L2/L3+ Beauty therapy (with facial and massage/aromatherapy units)
o Qualified in the HEARTS PROCESS
o Degree2/3+ Reiki plus one of the above qualifications (not a stand alone Reiki qualification)
o L4+ Shiatsu
• Relevant professional qualifications essential from an accredited awarding body, such as C&G, VTCT, ITEC - which meets recognised UK Occupational Standards.
• Membership of a recognised Complementary Therapy Regulatory Body, e.g. CNHC, FHT, AOR or other voluntary recognised association or organisation, and hold up to date professional insurance, or be prepared to join prior to volunteering
• You must have current work experience and up to date skills which meet relevant competencies, e.g. CPD records and skills development.
Personal attributes
• Ability to work independently, and show flexibility by learning the ‘think on your feet’ and not to proceed if unsure and seek clarification
• Have the ability to keep the patient/client central to the treatment plan and make the required adjustments accordingly
• Be compassionate and empathtic, demonstrating sensitivity to patient/ client physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs and wellbeing
• Ability to use initiative and be innovative
• Respectful of other’s differences and choices
• Reliable, organised honest and punctual
• Maintain confidentiality and GDPR at all times
• Be emotionally resilient to work in this type of care setting
• Recognise own boundaries in the therapeutic relationship and limitations of the role and seek support when needed
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
VOLUNTEER HEALTH ADVISOR
Across the UK, our 65 local branches work with disabled people to help them live the lives they choose. Our network of skilled volunteers respond to thousands of requests each year to design and make customised equipment free of charge.
Our volunteer Health Advisors bring their professional skills and experience to help shape the work of their local branch, supporting other volunteers to produce solutions that meet the needs of our clients.
What the role involves
This is a varied role where local need will shape what you’ll be working on, but primarily you’ll be offering guidance to our Engineers/Makers on producing aids, adaptations and equipment.
What you’ll need for this role
· Qualified Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist
· If you’re not currently practising that’s fine - you’ll just need to have done so within the past 3 years
· A commitment to our aims and values
You’ll also need to complete the induction checklist, a reference check and a DBS check if you’re not practising.
Where will I volunteer
The team meets on the third Monday evening of each month in Rochford. This is when we review ongoing and new jobs; input from our Health Advisor is a crucial part of the discussion. For more medically complex cases, we may also ask you to accompany a volunteer on a client visit.
Why volunteer
When you volunteer with us, you join a community of committed people with a passion for helping to improve the lives of others. We’re a volunteer led organisation and we couldn’t do what we do without your hard work, skills and commitment.
N.B. We’ll reimburse any out-of-pocket expenses during your time with us.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
REMAP exists to improve the quality of life for people who experience short or long-term disability through infirmity, illness or ageing.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Age UK Bucks ‘Age Better Bucks’ volunteers will support local older people to achieve personal goals – by helping them navigate and take advantage of a Support Plan devised by as community worker, that is designed to help them meet the challenges of older age.
This could be by phoning them to provide encouragement, explanation and support, and to check on progress, and also to help them with attendance at appointments and going to new groups or activities.
What do Age Better Bucks Volunteers do?
- Work with the Community Support Connector from Age UK Bucks to accept a client and understand their goals and support plan – and which services they have been referred to for support
- Contact the client to introduce yourself, and explain what you can help them with and if that’s OK with them
- Agree how your support is best provided – e.g. weekly calls for progress and encouragement, or help with something specific on their plan. That could be a home visit (if appropriate) to help them make a call or prepare for an appointment; attend a group or activity with them; or help them take a bus etc.
- Report back to the Community Support Connector if there are any issues or concerns and agree when your support can stop
- Ideally, you’d support a few clients each week or month, depending on how much time you have
The role is to support and help the client to access the referrals and support put in place for them – and not to support them with care or specific needs yourself. Referrals might be to local care services, to local groups or clubs, or to an occupational therapist for home adaptations, other voluntary organisations and support groups etc.
Our Age Better Bucks Service
Age Better Bucks supports over 65s who could benefit from extra support to manage their well being and remain independent. It is for older people experiencing challenges or need extra support to stay independent and well – for example increasing loneliness/isolation; bereavement; health/mobility decline; mood change.
Our team of support workers will assess their needs and circumstances specific to them, and develop an action plan with them to ensure more support and help can be arranged. We check in with the client after 6 weeks to see how they are getting on, and after 6 months to see how they are and check if anything has changed, got worse or improved.
The service is designed to give people the tools, contacts and support to make positive changes and especially to tackle the impact of loneliness and isolation.
An action plan, or support plan, will be devised with all clients, identifying their main goals based on their individual needs and challenges, and referring them, with their consent only, to other services and support we agree can help. At this stage we’ll assess if a volunteer like you can help then take full advantage of this support.
What you will get out of it
- Join an enthusiastic team of people who want to make a difference
- It's a great way to support older people making a real difference to their lives
- You'll be giving something back to your community
- You get to be part of Age UK Buckinghamshire's volunteer team
- We will reimburse reasonable, approved out of pocket expenses
- Volunteers tell us they find Volunteering really rewarding and get lots out of it themselves
- You will be fully supported by our Team and wider Age UK Buckinghamshire support.
What is expected of me?
We tell you about each client and ask if you’d like to take it up. You would then arrange and complete the call or visit when convenient. The work you do is conducted in line with guidance we provide and you must comply with necessary procedures including Data Protection/Confidentiality and Personal Safety.
After the visit/contact you will complete and submit a contact form. Volunteers complete relevant training, provide references and complete a DBS check.
Key skills and requirements
- Good listener, clear communicator and able to maintain confidentiality. A good conversationalist!
- Ability to lead the conversation, provide feedback to the team and summarise the conversation.
- Non-judgmental. Able to respect others’ differences and choices
- Patient, flexible and reliable
- Able to work independently with guidance and support
- Ability to travel around the area to visit people
- A regular commitment to give 1-2 hours a week would be appreciated but the role is flexible, you can work from home, do visits, only make calls, whatever works for you.
- An interest in helping older people live the lives they want
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.