The Bentleigh Bayside Community Health is committed to providing quality health services and health education within the local community and to facilitate the participation of members in that community where appropriate and possible. It sees volunteers as integral to the whole process of community service, planning and delivery.
VOLUNTEERS
A Bentleigh Bayside Community Health (BBCH) volunteer is one who gives a commitment of time and energy to work without pay and which either directly or indirectly has a positive effect on the health and well being of individuals or the community in general.
CO-ORDINATORS OF THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
The Service provides two part-time paid co-ordinators whose duties include recruitment, selection, placement, training and support of volunteers as well as the general co-ordination of volunteer services.
REGISTRATION
All volunteers are required to fill in a Registration Form and sign the Volunteer Agreement.
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS/DUTIES
Volunteers are involved in a variety of areas and with varying degrees of commitment. The times involved and the duties performed vary and so volunteers are assisted to find a job which suits their abilities and which they find satisfying.
INSURANCE
BBCH has Personal Accident Insurance for registered volunteers who are over 15 years of age and under 80 years of age.
In addition, there is Public Liability Insurance, which covers the Service’s liability to the general public for bodily injury and/or property damage as a result of a negligent act by volunteer workers.
Insurance covers injury or liability arising from work carried out by volunteers at the request of the Service, but does not cover pre-existing conditions.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Information regarding volunteers is considered confidential. Classified information will only be released to outside parties with the permission of the volunteer.
This information includes:
- Name, Address and Telephone Number of Volunteer
- Date of Birth
- Experience Relevant to Voluntary Work
- Type of Volunteer Involvement
- Record Number - If a Service Client
- Licence Number - If Driving For the Service
- Medical Status
SELECTION AND PLACEMENT OF VOLUNTEERS
All prospective volunteers are interviewed to ensure suitability and to match their interests and skills to a particular role. Volunteers unable to be placed can be referred to other community organisations or where appropriate, to Service programs.
ORIENTATION AND TRAINING OF VOLUNTEERS
Orientation
This occurs on an individual basis with the Co-ordinators of Volunteers and relevant staff member working with the new volunteer.
Training - General
A comprehensive training course is offered to all newly registered volunteers. Volunteers may commence duties without having completed the training course providing orientation has occurred.
Training - Specific
Specific and “on the job” training is provided for volunteers working in certain programs such as Hydrotherapy or Day Centres.
Training - Ongoing
Regular meetings provide opportunities for ongoing education. Volunteers are encouraged to attend Heart Lung Resuscitation sessions and Inservice training for their particular area. Inservice sessions are provided to groups or individuals as required.
PROVISION OF HEALTH CENTRE SERVICES TO VOLUNTEERS
The same conditions apply to volunteers as to staff and the community in general regarding the provision of services.
INCIDENT REPORT FORMS
Should any accident/incident occur either on the BBCH premises or whilst undertaking tasks on behalf of the Service, an Incident Report Form should be completed and the Co-ordinators of Volunteers informed.
VOLUNTEERS ROOM
The Volunteers Room is provided for the use of volunteers only and not the general public. Clients are not to be directed to use it. Tea/coffee, biscuits, books, magazines and the newspaper are provided.
BADGES
All volunteers are offered a name badge. For security reasons and to assist other volunteers, staff and clients to recognise volunteers, these are to be worn whilst in the course of duty.
VOLUNTEER STATISTICS
Records are kept of the number of hours provided by volunteers and reported on a monthly basis. Records are also kept of new volunteer registrations and the number of active volunteers every month. Volunteers working in certain areas are encouraged to fill in a “Monthly Record of Hours” form to assist with the collection of statistics.
RECOGNITION
Certificates of Appreciation
Five, ten, fifteen, twenty and twenty-five year certificates are presented each year at the Annual General Meeting.
Other Forms of Recognition
Annual Christmas Party
Regular meetings and personal contact
Letters and cards
Newsletter articles
EVALUATION OF THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
General evaluation of the Volunteer Program is undertaken on an annual basis. Ongoing evaluation occurs by way of regular liaison between the managers of volunteers, other staff and volunteers.
Volunteers
A questionnaire is distributed to each volunteer annually. The evaluation leads to an update of records, reassessment of volunteer tasks and the addressing of any problems.
Staff
A questionnaire is distributed to staff annually which aims to assess volunteer involvement in Service programs, staff/volunteer relationships and to identify and address issues.
Evaluation of Volunteer Training
Evaluation occurs after each training session and at the end of the course. Information obtained is used in the planning and design of future courses.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Job Descriptions are issued to volunteers engaged in regular work at the Service. The Job description should provide clear duty statements and necessary information to enable the volunteer to perform the tasks to the Service’s and his/her satisfaction.
HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR VOLUNTEERS
Procedures are implemented to safeguard volunteers’ safety and well being. Volunteers are encouraged to communicate any personal requirements regarding this matter. Back Care and First Aid (including Heart Lung Resuscitation sessions) are organised for volunteers to attend and volunteers are asked to report any incident or injury incurred in the course of Health Service duties.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF VOLUNTEERS
It is important that all volunteer/staff relationships have a mutual respect and desire to co-operate in meeting designated needs. To foster awareness of this a copy of the Rights and Responsibilities is issued to all staff and volunteers.
GRIEVANCES
Where volunteers have grievances that need to be addressed, they should speak to one of the Co-ordinators of the Volunteer Program or the staff member with whom they work. Communication is important in order to resolve problems.
REFERENCES FOR VOLUNTEERS
References are provided for volunteers upon request, providing the volunteer has spent a reasonable amount of time involved in the Volunteer Program. The amount of time will vary from one situation to another.
TERMINATION
Volunteers may leave the program at any time, of their own free will and are not obliged to remain for any given period of time. If it is necessary for a volunteer worker to be dismissed for any reason, it will be done so at the discretion of the Co-ordinators of the Volunteer Program.
THE TIME AND COMMITMENT VOLUNTEERS GIVE TO THE SERVICE AND THE COMMUNITY IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.