Job responsibilities
JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Volunteer to Career Clinical Coordinator
Division: Corporate
Department: Patient Experience
Band: Band 5
Hours: 15 hours, ideally spread over at least 3 days, for nine months
Working pattern: Office-based at all times
Responsible to: Voluntary Services Manager
Accountable to: Head of Patient Experience
Location: Office base will be Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, but will be expected to work Trust-wide
BACKGROUND
The Volunteer to Career (VtC) Programme is a national programme developed by the Helpforce Charity; the Programme has already been implemented with over 50 NHS + Care organisations across the UK. It aims to create a pathway from volunteering to employment, thereby attracting new potential employees to work within health and social care settings. Funding has been sourced to support a 9-month proof-of-concept pilot at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHFT) to test the approach locally, in partnership with NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and supported by the expertise of Helpforce. A vital component of the project is to undertake a comprehensive evaluation, led by Helpforce. A multi-organisation Project Team has been formed to oversee the whole process. If proved successful, the aim is to make the Programme permanent within GHFT and potentially expand to other departments and local organisations within Gloucestershire ICS.
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
The VtC Programme in Gloucestershire:
Will offer volunteering opportunities within GHFT for people who are seeking initial experience and understanding of NHS and care workplace settings or are struggling to find employment;
It is anticipated there will be at least 20 participants, taking part for up to six months each;
The dedicated VtC Clinical Coordinator (this role) will help establish the Programme, source and onboard participants, lead the programme and work with potential programme participants, matching their individual skills and interests to the most appropriate volunteer roles, and supporting participants who complete the programme to identify potential job opportunities and then throughout the application process;
All VtC participants will be provided with a dedicated mentor, from their initial application to the Programme and throughout;
The VtC Clinical Coordinator will offer each participant a package of bespoke Programme elements according to their individual needs, e.g. interview support, coaching, and a reference.
OVERALL JOB PURPOSE
The strategic aim of the VtC Programme is to positively impact NHS workforce and system needs at a local level through the design of a VtC Programme that aims to maximise the number of volunteers who go on from participating in the Programme into education, training or employment within the NHS or Adult Social Care.
Working to, and with the support of the VtC Programme Sponsors and Project Team, the postholder will lead the local implementation of the Programme within GHFT to design and develop a local VtC Programme based on GHFTs workforce and related needs.
The postholder will provide the required information for Helpforce to undertake the evaluation of the Programme. If proved successful, the postholder will support the project team to build the case for making the Programme permanent within Gloucestershire ICS.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
PROJECT LEADERSHIP:
Lead a project that addresses identified real system pressures/needs, ensuring there are meaningful and impactful local volunteer role/s that address these needs (in doing so improving the patient journey) and engage with volunteers to consider a career in healthcare;
Support the design/scoping/planning of VtC initiatives e.g., VtC pathways and Standard Operating Procedures for the Programme at GHFT, in doing so improving the environment and culture of volunteering;
Utilising the Helpforce evaluation process, develop the local methods for measuring both the outcomes and the impact of the Programme;
Manage and measure Programme delivery;
Provide regular communication and updates to key stakeholders;
Provide evidence-based advice to the Project Team;
Provide an expert point of contact for key stakeholders;
Act as a representative for GHFT, taking part in external promotional activities as appropriate, as well as in maintaining professional relationships and collaborative working.
PROJECT DELIVERY OF VtC PATHWAYS
Provide leadership to the Programme participants and the related staff, including clinicians;
Be hands on in the development of the role of volunteers in a clinical/ department setting;
Take responsibility for the effective organisation and delivery of volunteering support relating to the Programme, including motivating and supporting participants to access and sustain paid employment;
Build the profile of the VtC Programme within relevant clinical teams/ departments;
Promote the success of the Programme in helping ease system pressures and Programme participants to access healthcare careers;
Source and/or liaise with those providing support to the Programme participants, e.g., mentors, staff volunteers work to/with, coaches, HR;
Ensure a strong personal presence in relevant clinical/department areas and spend time working alongside the volunteers and staff as appropriate.
AS PART OF HELPFORCES NATIONAL VtC PROGRAMME:
To attend workshop sessions with the Helpforce team and attend its national Network meetings;
Provide required reporting.
WORKING AS PART OF A TEAM:
The postholder will work as part of the Voluntary Services team and the identified clinical/department team(s);
Engage and communicate with relevant staff to ensure the effective management of the volunteers.
SUPERVISION AND SUPPORT:
Provide 1:1 support and supervision of the Programme participants, including their individual development and training needs, and health and wellbeing;
Support the Programme participants to ensure they have a positive volunteering experience within GHFT.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:
Responsibility for signing off volunteer expenses;
Managing the small budget for accessing external expert support to participants if they need careers and/or interview coaching, where this cannot be provided within the NHS. Provide update reports as required.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Ensure a smart, professional image that enhances the public perception of the Trust and the professionalism of its staff is portrayed.
Fully participate in regular supervision and the Trusts appraisal system review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.
Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with line manager as part of the personal development planning process.
Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
Contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the teams in which he/she works.
Contribute to a healthy and safe working environment by adhering to health and safety regulations and Trust policies.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
INTERNAL:
All Programme participants;
GHFT Voluntary Services Team;
Senior clinicians and managers in relevant departments;
HR, workforce, education and learning team members;
Programme participants mentors.
EXTERNAL: VtC Project Team members;
Helpforce Charity and related Networks;
NHS Gloucestershire ICB;
Partnerships with community organisations.
REVIEW OF THIS JOB DESCRIPTION
It is anticipated the role will evolve as learning is received throughout the life of the project, so the need for the postholder to be flexible and adaptable is essential.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Confidentiality
In the course of your employment, you may have access to, see or hear confidential information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients and or staff. Unless acting on the instruction of an authorised officer, on no account must such information be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duties. Breaches of confidence, including improper passing of registered computer data, will result in disciplinary action, which may lead to dismissal. You should be aware that regardless of any action taken by your employing authority, a breach of confidence could result in a civil action for damages.
In addition, records, including VDU screens and computer printouts of registered data must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them. Written records must either be destroyed or retained in safe custody when no longer required, VDU screens should always be cleared when unattended.
Terms and Conditions of ServiceThe principal terms and conditions of your appointment will be those set out in the Agenda for Change national agreement as amended from time to time by the NHS Staff Council. These terms and conditions are set out in the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook, which is available on the Trusts intranet and NHS Employers web site.
Health and SafetyIt is the duty of every employee to work in such a way that accidents to themselves and to others are avoided, and to co-operate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. Employees will, therefore, refer any matters of concern through their respective line managers.
Data QualityAs part of your employment you may be required to record Patient Information (computerised or on paper). You have a responsibility to ensure that information is entered accurately, completely and consistently. It is particularly important that patients demographic details are kept up to date. Problems should be reported to your manager.
No Smoking PolicyGloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust operates a no smoking policy. Smoking is not permitted anywhere within the buildings/ground
