Becoming a Volunteer at Norwest Private Hospital

 

Volunteering at Norwest Private Hospital is a highly rewarding experience. Our volunteers work side-by-side with staff to deliver exceptional care and support to patients, their carers, and their families. 

Our volunteers work across all areas of the hospital – assisting staff with administrative tasks in HR, finance, other roles include welcoming patients and visitors to the hospital, giving directions and assisting patients on the wards, art and music in health, providing refreshments or a shoulder of support during an emotional and at times uncertain journey. Some roles require regular set hours where others provide flexibility.

 

What is the commitment time?

Given the training provided by Norwest Private Hospital, we ask that our volunteers commit to a minimum of 12 months. We do ask that you would be available for a minimum of 1 shift per fortnight. Minimum of 4 hours per shift.
 

What is the age requirement?

To be considered as a volunteer at Norwest Private Hospital you must be over 18.

 

How to become a Norwest Private Hospital volunteer

STEP 1:

Click on the link below to complete the expression of interest form and you will be contacted by the hospital to discuss your interest.
https://forms.office.com/r/4jFgLPPezW

 

STEP 2:

Receive the Volunteer application pack and commence the paperwork

As part of the pack you will be required to:

• Provide a working with children check (if the position is held onsite) – see link below or contact Services NSW to complete a Volunteer working with children check Services NSW - Apply for a Working with Children Check. The process is confidential.
• Due to Healthscope Staff Health Policy to protect patients, staff and the wider community from vaccine preventable diseases, you will need to provide documentary evidence of vaccination or evidence that you are not susceptible to the following vaccine preventable diseases before commencement of volunteering
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough) including booster
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Influenza (Flu)
• Engerix-B (Hepatitis B)
• COVID -19

We can provide the certain vaccinations or cover any associated costs with organising serology (please speak with the volunteer coordinator regarding this).

• Read and sign off on Healthscope code of conduct
• Read and sign off on Healthscope volunteer policy
• Read and sign off on Healthscope Privacy Policy

 

STEP 3: 

Everyone must undertake a ½ day orientation and training program. Upcoming days will be provided to you once paperwork is completed.

 

STEP 4: 

There are several training modules all volunteers must undertake, and some annual requirements. Most of these are done online, which can be done in your home or at Norwest Private Hospital. We don’t assign your first volunteer shift until all training is complete.

 

STEP 5: 

Orientation shift to your specific role or department.

Once the steps above are complete, the volunteer manager will organise your shift and a start date with you.

 

 

Volunteer positions at Norwest Private Hospital

Hospital Greeter

• Meet and greet the public and help visitors find their way by providing information & directions
• Participating in patient transfer activities
• Help patients use computer systems
• Participate in community open days, events & campaigns

 

Ward Volunteer

• Support patients in various wards
• Escorting patients
• Companionship/reading/serving refreshments
• Support staff with non-clinical tasks
• Assisting with patient feedback

 

Paediatric Dept Volunteer

• Support patients and parents in children’s ward
• Companionship/reading/serving refreshments
• Supervise child when parents need a break

 

Day Surgery Volunteer

• Assist patients prior to and after surgery
• Escorting patients
• Support staff with non-clinical tasks

 

Maternity Volunteers

• Support patients in various wards
• Escorting patients
• Companionship/reading/serving refreshments
• Support staff with non-clinical tasks
• Assisting with patient feedback

 

Emergency Department Volunteers

• Meet and greet the public
• Help patients and families navigate the ED triage system
• Support patients and staff

 

Oncology Department Volunteers

• Support patients in various wards
• Escorting patients
• Companionship/reading/serving refreshments
• Support staff with non-clinical tasks
• Assisting with patient feedback

 

Special Skills Volunteers – diversional activities

Do you have a special skill? We are always looking for help in areas like events and admin.
We are also looking for volunteers who can offer their skills to our patients:

• Arts and Crafts
• Hand massage
• Musical talent – singing or playing an instrument
• Sewing skills
• Events
• Admin

General Administration Volunteers

• ‘Crafting’ the admission paperwork (sticking patient labels onto the admission forms/paperwork)
• Escort; escorting patients to their next destination in the admission process
• Tidying the general front entrance area
• Retrieving wheelchairs from around the hospital and returning them to front entrance

Consumer Consultants

Our Consumer Consultants help Norwest Private Hospital be responsive to patient, carer and consumer input and needs. As an advisor to the hospital, you will make a real difference to future service provision at Norwest. Your role might include sitting on committees, advising on consumer publications or helping to develop future programs.
Consumer Consultants should have experience of hospital services as a consumer or carer or have a chronic condition requiring frequent admissions. You should also have a commitment to providing a consumer perspective.
 

Trained Volunteer – Cognitive Impairment

The aim of the cognitive impairment volunteer program is to enhance the emotional care and security of hospital patients with cognitive impairment and reduce their risk of adverse outcomes. Through this process the program also aims to assist and support family carers in their care.
Two main ways of supporting patient – firstly emotional security and care through 1:1 communication, and gentle touch, secondly they provide practical assistance and delirium prevention strategies such as assistance with eating and drinking, gentle encouragement for exercise, promoting of hygiene and other simple activities. Additional training is provided for these volunteers.

Trained Volunteer – End of Life Care

Volunteers may provide a range of support to help patients and their carers and families at this difficult time. This includes practical assistance and respite for carers, or companionship to support a person. Palliative care volunteers are actively involved in offering support and companionship to people receiving palliative care, their family, and carers. The desired outcome is to reduce the burden of their distress during dying, death and bereavement.
Additional training is provided for these volunteers. 

Volunteer at home

Crafted Items

• knitted beanies for premmies
• Knitted octopus’s for premmies
• Capes for Brave Kids 
• Fiddle blankets for cognitively impaired patients.