The Galway Clinic Volunteer Program
The Volunteer Program at the Galway Clinic consists of a trained group of individuals who selflessly devote time to support the hospital staff and patients. Whether helping families find their way in the hospital, playing with children during waiting times, answering phones or visiting discharged patients in their homes, the volunteers provide a special human connection that often eases the stress for patients and families. The values of respect, confidentiality, genuineness and generosity colour all their activities.
Volunteer Opportunities
- Visiting patients after discharge in their own homes: The decision to avail of this service rests with the patient and family and contact will be made with the volunteer by hospital staff before the patient leaves the hospital. Duties include performing tasks and errands which will assist the patient until he/she has returned to full independence. On the first visit the volunteer will present his/her Galway Clinic identification and agree a specified length of time for each visit with the patient. The volunteer visits should not last longer than five days unless otherwise negotiated with the patient and the hospital. The volunteer should feel free to cut short a visit if the patient is tired or not up to talking. Patient privacy and confidentiality must be totally respected, except with the hospital or when appropriate with the family.
- Sitting with restless patients while hospitalised: The volunteer will sit with restless patients with the permission of the patient and / or family. Patient privacy and confidentiality must be totally respected, individual illnesses and the illnesses of others are not to be discussed.
- Other hospital activities
- Admissions Area: Helping in the admission process, interacting with patients and families and keeping children occupied while they wait.
- Main Reception: Meeting and greeting patients and families, escorting families to their destination, providing directions and general information and answering their questions, assisting staff with tasks like sorting the mail and helping with the parking validation system.
- Patient Care Areas: Playing with children at bedsides, providing support for their families, escorting patients for tests or on discharge and providing clerical support in reception areas.
- Offices and Departments: Answering telephones, filing or doing errands as required.
Requirements for Volunteers: Volunteers must have a background check and this is organised by the hospital with the Garda Siochana. Volunteers must be aged 16 or older. Only daytime shifts are available to students and their shifts must be completed by 5:30 p.m.
Protection of Patient Privacy: Volunteers will sign a pledge of confidentiality document because patient privacy and confidentiality must be totally respected, and individual illnesses and the illnesses of others must not be discussed. Sensitive personal information such as an individual personal circumstances, financial status or medical information must not be disclosed to other people. Care must also be taken to ensure that individuals cannot be identified through an informal discussion.
Volunteer Training: The Galway Clinic will provide free skills training sessions for volunteers on: Communication, Wheelchair safety, Body Mechanics, Fire Safety, Patient Confidentiality, Standard Precautions and Personal / Hand Hygiene.
Dress Code: Volunteers who carry out hospital assignments are required to wear a distinctive volunteer uniform while on duty. Each is responsible for his / her own laundry. Dress code prohibits the wearing of blue jeans, sweatpants, shorts, hats, sunglasses, T-shirts, open-toed shoes, tattoos and body piercing other than earrings.
Lockers: Lockers are available to store personal items during a shift. You are asked to use lockers only during your shift as they are limited.
Meals: Meals are supplied free of charge to volunteers during their shift.
Insurance: Volunteers are covered by Galway Clinic insurance for tasks performed during home visits and at the Galway Clinic.
Parking: Volunteers are eligible for free parking which is available at the Roscam car park and a connecting shuttle bus runs between the hospital and car park.
Absences: Should it prove impossible for you to meet your schedule please call Mary McMahon on 091 785714 as soon as possible. If you are available on another day, that can be arranged. If you become totally unavailable for a period, we will assist you by informing those who need to know. If you access our voicemail please record:
- Who you are.
- When and where you volunteer.
- A telephone number where you can be reached.
Awards and Recognition: Volunteers are offered a free health check every two years and Service Pins are awarded at the end of each year in honour of the hard work and hours of service donated to the hospital.