A unique and innovative part-time role is available for nine months for a clinician to be the coordinator of a pilot Volunteer to Career Programme here in Gloucestershire. The Programme aims to create a pathway from volunteering to employment. You'll support people who are finding it challenging to gain employment within the NHS or are seeking initial experience and understanding of working within the NHS. You will enable them to volunteer within selected departments and provide bespoke help, for example around interviews and applications, and ensuring they're provided with a mentor. Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is undertaking this Programme in partnership with the national Helpforce charity and our local Integrated Care Board. As part of our small, dedicated volunteer services team, you will help build the relationships needed with internal colleagues and external partners to ensure programme participants have the best experience and then are most likely to go onto training, education or employment within a health + care setting. Come and join us!

Main duties of the job

Working as part of a supportive volunteer services team and wider project team, you will ensure there is strong coordination and leadership of all the required activities. You will be responsible for managing each volunteer Programme participant from the point of their recruitment to their graduation from the Programme, through a friendly, motivating and caring approach, with some participants having more vulnerabilities. You will need to use your skills to determine what the participant uniquely needs, e.g. interview support, coaching, references etc. You will be 'hands-on' with the volunteer Programme participants and those staff on the ground who are supporting them, ensuring at all times the participants are having their needs met and in turn they are meeting the needs of their volunteer placement. You will work with colleagues to source others that may be required, e.g. mentors. You will be accountable to the project team, and be responsible for excellent reporting and communications. This role requires you to be based within the hospital site(s) at all times.

About us

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest employer in the county and with over 8,000 staff, we are one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK. We offer a generous annual leave allowance, excellent bank rates, access to the excellent NHS Pension Scheme, discounts for local shops, restaurants and services, access to our health and well-being hub, access to our two on-site nurseries, flexible working options, discounted public transport, reward and recognition schemes, exercise and activity classes and membership to our popular hospital choir.

Job description

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

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience
• Registration with relevant clinical Professional body
• Evidence of continuing, relevant professional development
• IT skills at Level 2 or equivalent experience i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook

Experience

Essential

• People management, including mentoring
• Working clinically within an acute NHS setting

Desirable

• Project management
• Working with volunteers

Knowledge / Skills

Essential

• Understand the challenges of seeking employment, especially for those who may be struggling for some reason
• Understanding of what it means to have a positive volunteering experience
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Able to gather, input and interpret activity data
• Able to build effective relationships with a wide range of colleagues from all levels of seniority

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trustwide

Gloucester, Cheltenham

GL1 3NN

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

318-24-COR-R12854