Volunteer position profile
Position title: ACE Volunteer
Department: Social Inclusion Programs
Position location: Metro East: Box Hill - Maroondah
Metro West: Footscray - Sunshine
Metro South: Frankston - Rosebud
Regional: Bendigo - Geelong
Position reports to: Volunteer Convenor
Length of assignment: Ongoing
Days working: As rostered
Times: 3 hour shift
Position context
Assistance and Care in Emergency Department (ACE) is a Red Cross program aimed at meeting the personal and practical support needs of patients and their attending family members/friends in the Emergency Department of the Hospital. Red Cross volunteers offer companionship, a conversation, a break from caring for children or assistance with making calls to family members, during the time in the Emergency department, which can be extended.
They work in partnership with the staff, avoiding any involvement in counselling, medical procedures, or advice about such matters. Part of the aim of the program is to allow hospital staff to be able to focus on the medical work.
Principal responsibilities of the role
- guide and orientate patients with waiting area
- provide emotional and practical support during the waiting period and if required during treatment
- care for siblings allowing parents to focus on a patient
- offer support and comfort to family member or friend of a patient receiving medical attention
- work cooperatively with Emergency Department staff to ensure that the needs of patients and attending family/carers are being met
- provide resources to occupy patients in the waiting room
