Eligible Criteria for Volunteering
To be eligible to volunteer with Volunteers for Palliative Care, we need people who are:
- Able to understand principles of infection control, privacy, confidentiality and workplace health and safety
- Fit and able to carry out volunteering duties as required by the role
- Kind, caring, willing, enthusiastic, friendly, and keen to make a difference
- Over 18 years of age
- Willing to abide by NSW Health Code of Conduct and current policies and procedures
- Willing to undergo Criminal Record Checks & Working with Children Check
- Meet the Covid-19 vaccine requirements of two doses and a third booster dose as per the Hunter New England Health Lower Health District Policy
Volunteers working in this specialised role of Palliative Care will also need to have the following personal skills, experiences, and attributes:
- A confident and effective communicator who can actively listen, talk, and engage with a diverse range of people
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team with a positive, can-do attitude
- Be non-judgmental and able to understand and accept the values, beliefs, and decisions of others when they vary from one’s own values, beliefs, and decisions
- Hold a genuine commitment to the principles of Palliative Care
- Non-proselytising: Free of the need to convert others to one’s spiritual, social, psychological or medical opinions
- Reliable, punctual, and able to be flexible to work various days and times as required
- The capacity to understand and help others proactively whilst maintaining clear boundaries and can recognise critical situations where additional assistance or information is needed. Ensure that you do not extend beyond the agreed scope of practice and any requests to do so are approved first
- Palliative Care Volunteers working in the community are required to travel to client’s homes, and, if agreed, may transport clients to medical appointments, shopping, or places of interest. Volunteers undertaking transports with clients are required to have current valid Driver’s License, a safe roadworthy, insured vehicle. You will be asked to provide copies of your Driver’s License, current NSW registration papers, and Comprehensive Car Insurance.
Successful applicants
Will be invited to take part in a phone or face-to-face interview and required to undergo:
- A Personal Reference Check
- National Criminal Record Screen
- Working with Children Check
- The Covid-19 vaccine requirements (as per the Hunter New England Health Lower Health District Policy).
- Completion of a 6-day Palliative Care Volunteer Support Training Program set out by Palliative Care NSW.
Some frequently asked questions
How much time do I need to give?
Volunteers are asked to plan for 2-4 hours per week. The days and times are flexible and may need to be negotiated with the client. At Volunteers for Palliative Care Inc., we limit volunteers to a maximum of two clients at a time for no more than 4 hours per week with any one client unless pre-arranged with the Volunteer Service Coordinator.
Will I get training?
Yes. This is a very important and compulsory part of the process. You will be required to complete all the training before you can commence volunteering. The training modules cover topics such as Grief & Bereavement, Boundaries, Self-care, Communication and Supportive Care at End of Life. Volunteers must attend and complete all training before being allocated a client.
What happens if I don’t connect with my allocated client?
We do our very best to connect clients and volunteers. If there is ever a client or situation you don’t feel comfortable in, you just need to notify the Volunteer Coordinator and we will make other arrangements.
Do I need my own car and if I use my own car do I get reimbursed for travel?
As community volunteers you will be visiting clients and will need to drive yourself. You may choose to be part of our transport team and transport clients to medical appointments. You will require access to a safe and roadworthy vehicle. Volunteers will be asked to provide a copy of current car registration, CTP Insurance and a valid drivers’ license.
Our transport volunteers can be reimbursed for travel at 65c per kilometer. You will need to complete a Service Record for every visit and travel reimbursement form following all transports to receive your reimbursement.
I have recently lost a loved one and am keen to Volunteer. Do I need to wait?
We are sorry to hear you have experienced a recent loss and know that when the time is right, you will bring a wonderful insight and sense of understanding to this role. Ideally, we would like potential applicants to wait at least 12-24 months before joining the team. Perhaps you might be interested in some of our other volunteering roles, or fundraising activities. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to discuss this further.
How will I be supported whilst volunteering?
Volunteers are important and valued members of our team. We provide new volunteers with a comprehensive training program and all volunteers with regular meetings, debrief sessions and ongoing training and support. If at any point you need to talk about an interaction with a client or anything else, the Volunteer Coordinator is only a phone call away.
All Volunteers for Palliative Care Inc. volunteers also have access to:
- Volunteer newsletters sent out bi-monthly via email.
- An invitation to our volunteer recognition events.
- An opportunity to be involved in various volunteering experiences throughout Maitland.
We thank you for your interest in volunteering. If you have any questions, would like to find out more or chat about your application, please do not hesitate to contact the Volunteer Service Coordinator on 0459 712 725 or email info@palliativecaremaitland.org.au
To continue with your application to become a volunteer, you will need to create a username below for MyImpactPage, so you can login and continue with the application process.
