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Job summary

Main area
Volunteers
Grade
Voluntary
Contract
Voluntary
Hours
1 session per week (Available Shifts: Mondays to Friday 08:00-12:00 or 12:00-16:00)
Job ref
317-Ophthalmology-Support
Employer
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
RVI Hospital
Town
Newcastle upon Tyne
Closing
31/12/2025 08:00

Employer heading

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Ophthalmology Outpatient Support Volunteer

Voluntary

Job overview

Our Eye (Ophthalmology) outpatient department is led by ophthalmologists (eye doctors) and nurses. The clinic sees patients for many different types of treatment, including laser clinics and optometry.

Ophthalmology Outpatients is a very busy department providing a wide range of consultant and nurse lead clinics. The role will require the volunteer to support staff in creating a friendly, welcoming and helpful 
environment for patients attending the outpatient department and assist in ensuring that this busy department maintains a seamless flow and delivers exceptional patient care.

The difference your contribution will make to the service:
• To contribute toward giving all patients a positive experience within the department through giving them a positive welcome and offering relevant signposting.
• To support clinical colleagues and patients in the timely delivery of care and directing patients between clinical spaces e.g. photography and then back to relevant clinic. 
• Supporting patients with additional mobility needs/sight loss when moving around the department. 

Main duties of the job

  • Acting as a Meet and Greeter within the department to support patients in finding the service they require.
  •  Support the photography team within the department by assisting patients to and from clinics and support with the transfer of clinical notes. 

Working for our organisation

Our Voluntary Workforce

The Newcastle Hospitals Trust values the involvement of local people as volunteers in activities that enhance the patient, visitor and carer experience, and also support staff in delivering high quality health care.

Your offer of voluntary help is very much appreciated, and you will receive a warm welcome no matter which area of volunteering you choose. 

Without our volunteers, we wouldn't be able to deliver the 'outstanding' care and service that we do today.

Important note on completion of the application form

REFERENCES: Candidates are required to provide the address, telephone number and work email address of TWO referees, who should be either a current or former employer, senior work colleague, teacher, tutor or person of good standing in the community, and certify that they have known you for a minimum of 3 years prior to the date of application.  PLEASE NOTE: That we cannot accept references from Friends or Family members.

DBS: The majority of our Volunteer roles require a Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) Check.  The volunteer services team will apply for this on your behalf, as part of your pre-engagement checks.  If you already hold an enhanced DBS and it is registered on the DBS Update Service, then you will need to provide evidence and present your original DBS certificate to the Volunteer Services Team during your ID check appointment.

EMAIL: All correspondence to you will be made via email, therefore please ensure that you check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Good listening and strong communication skills are essential.
  •  Patience and composure – able to stay calm under pressure.
  • A caring, sympathetic, sensitive manner and a non-judgemental approach.
  •  Reliable/dependable/flexible.
  •  Understanding of confidentiality.
  •  Have a positive outlook and approach.
  •  Willingness to work without direct supervision.
  • Manual handling skills for the transfer of notes between departments.
  •  Volunteers will need to obtain satisfactory clearance from the DBS and Trust Occupational Health Service. 

Person specification

EssentialSpecific skills / attributes required by volunteer

Essential criteria
  • Confident and clear verbal communication skills.
  • Reliable and trustworthy.
  • Polite and friendly.
  • Have a positive outlook and enthusiastic approach.
  • Reasonably fit and able to walk around the site well.
  • Ability to exercise judgement and decision making and to report incidents when necessary.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

We are a Living Wage EmployerVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardRIDI Awards Finalist 2021Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStonewall Gold 2022Better Health at Work Award - Maintaining ExcellenceDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldCycle Friendly Employer

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Kathryn Fletcher
Job title
Senior Volunteer Services Administrator
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0191 282 4075
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