- About RCH Volunteer Service
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- Volunteer Handbook
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- Staff
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Volunteer Handbook
Welcome to The Royal Children's Hospital
You are now a member of a dedicated team, united in a single aim of doing everything possible for the speedy recovery and well being of sick children and adolescents who have been placed in our care.
Our hospital is a very complex and expensive organisation. It has a budget of over $300 million per year; staff and volunteers of approximately 4,000 caring for almost 32,000 inpatients. A total of approximately 280,000 children are treated by the hospital annually.
The work of the volunteers is varied but each activity contributes to the achievements of the hospital.
I am sure you will find working here a most rewarding and satisfying experience and that you will follow in the tradition of past members of the service by winning the affection of our patients, the gratitude of their parents and the respect and appreciation of the staff.
With every good wish for your long and happy association with the hospital.
History of the Volunteer Service
In 1960, the manager of the Royal Children's Hospital, Mr. W C Feint, returned from an overseas visit and recommended the establishment of a volunteer service.
Coincidentally, Miss Carmen Winter (founder and patron of the Royal Children's Hospital Volunteer Service) also returned from a visit to the USA. There, she had seen volunteers in action in hospitals, and had herself learned to organise and direct such a service.
The President of the hospital, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch (then Lady Murdoch), and the committee of management, agreed it would be of great value to have a volunteer service.
Therefore, on 29th June 1961, this new service was launched, and by December 1962, there were seventy volunteers working in the hospital in Carlton and in the orthopaedic section at Frankston.
In January 1963, the hospital was moved from Carlton to Parkville. Now, approximately 350 volunteers work in many different departments.
The volunteers are part of a dynamic movement growing and changing as the needs of the hospital grow and change.
'The Pelican'
The pelican is known for the caring of its young and living in groups - all working together for the good of the community.
It was for these reasons that the pelican was chosen as part of the coat of arms for The Royal Children's Hospital, and the symbol of the Volunteer Service.
Volunteers who have given 20 years of service are presented with a silver pelican brooch.
Structure of the Volunteer Program in The Royal Children's Hospital
- Coordinator, Volunteer Service
- Out of Hours Coordinator
- Assistant to Department
The Volunteer Service is part of the Family Services Department. This department brings together four family focussed support services - the Family Resource Centre, the Safety Centre, the Volunteer Service and the Resource Centre for Child Health and Safety.
Philosophy
The Volunteer Service enhances and compliments The Royal Children's Hospital staff with the aim of promoting the highest quality of patient care and constantly striving to improve the health of the paediatric and adolescent community for whom the hospital exists.
Objectives
To support and assist professional staff in providing and promoting the highest quality of patient care, both in paediatric and adolescent health.
To support the professional staff in making the patient's stay at The Royal Children's Hospital as comfortable as possible.
To endeavour to be of assistance and support to the families and friends of patients.
To provide a channel through which members of the community can contribute their resources, energy and ideas for the benefit of the hospital.
Volunteer Rights:
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To receive a position description that will help volunteers perform their duties more confidently and competently.
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To experience job satisfaction, and inform the volunteer office if an assignment is unsatisfactory.
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To receive training, initial and on-going.
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To ask for a new assignment when ready for a new challenge.
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To feel free to consult the Coordinator regarding suggestions or concerns.
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To have a safe place of work.
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To have a place of work free from sexual harassment.
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To receive medical attention should a volunteer become ill whilst on duty.
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To be kept informed of new developments at the hospital via newsletters.
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To know to whom they are accountable and to have clearly defined channels of communication.
The Coordinator, Volunteer Service shall be responsible for determining where volunteers are allocated within the hospital.
The hospital is an equal opportunity institution and has an obligation under various state and commonwealth legislation to ensure all of the above
Volunteer Responsibilities & Expectations:
- Commitment:
A minimum commitment of 3 hours per week for at least 12 months but with a maximum
number of hours as determined by the Coordinator (as a guide not more than 12 hours per week).
- Accountability:
All volunteers will have a direct line responsibility to the Coordinator.
- Punctuality:
Report to assigned area promptly, as agreed.
- Absence from duty:
If you feel ill, or are unable to report for work, notify the Volunteer Service, NOT the assigned department.
So that we may contact you in the case of an emergency, you must always notify the office if you intend to move from your allocated place of duty.
- Registration and Identification:
We ask that you swipe your identity card (at Family Resource Centre) at the beginning and end of each shift. Staff and volunteers are issued with an identity badge, which must be worn at all times within the precincts of the hospital. This strengthens security control in the hospital, particularly in restricted areas and enables easier identification of staff and volunteers in dealing with patients, the public and other staff members. Volunteers must not deface this badge, as it remains hospital property. The loss or accidental damage to your badge should be reported to the volunteer office immediately.
- Uniform/Appearance:
Volunteers are requested to wear the uniform and maintain a clean neat appearance with their identity badge clearly displayed at chest level
No torn jeans, short shorts, tracksuit pants or sneakers. For safety reasons the wearing of open toed shoes on the wards is discouraged.
Jewellery should be kept to a minimum for both security and safety reasons.
Strong perfume should not be used.
Long hair should be tied back.
- Change of Address:
We ask you to notify the volunteer office of any change of address or telephone number.
- Family/Friends:
We request that whilst a volunteer is performing duties, they do not bring a family member or friend into their work area.
- Leave of Absence:
Notify the Volunteer Service of any leave of absence.
- Resignation:
Should you decide to resign, would you please notify the volunteer office in writing, and return your uniform and identity badge. An "exit" interview may be conducted at your request.
- Fire & Emergency Procedure Training:
All volunteers are required to attend Emergency Procedure Training annually and be familiar with fire and emergency procedures. These are summarised on a card attached to your identity badge.
- Security:
To protect your belongings, all personal items should be left in lockers in the change room and while on duty keep the key of your locker on your person. On departure, replace key in locker. Do not bring valuables, as the hospital cannot be responsible for losses.
- Immunisation:
Any female volunteer of child bearing age should discuss with their doctor immunisation against Rubella. Hepatitis B and influenza vaccination is also recommended.
Code of Ethics and Patient Confidentiality
When a patient enters The Royal Children's Hospital, the hospital assumes an obligation to keep in confidence all that pertains to the patient and his or her affairs. This obligation is shared by every person employed and volunteers. You are therefore obliged to refrain from discussing any patient or information regarding a patient with any person in or out of the hospital, except in the course of your duties. Failure to do so is not only a breach of confidence and the hospital by-laws but also may involve you, and the hospital, in legal proceedings.
Under no circumstances may any unauthorised statement be made to the press, radio or television. Any requests from the media should be referred to the person in charge of the area.
Some examples of breach of ethics and/or confidentiality:
- Repeating remarks overheard about the hospital, other hospital workers, volunteers or patients.
- Answering questions about a patient's condition.
- Comparing similar medical conditions.
- Reading a patient's case notes or chart.
- Performing duties outside your area of responsibility.
- Giving professional advice.
- Being critical of or interfering with hospital routine.
- Accepting money or significant gifts from a patient or family.
- Giving money or significant gifts to a patient or family.
- Imposing your own beliefs (including religious) or attitudes on anyone in the hospital.
- Becoming personally involved with patients and families.
- Taking photographs of patients.
- Allowing volunteer's own family to attend and become involved.
- Giving personal details to a patient for them to contact you at home or accepting patient's details in order to contact them.
- It is most important that all volunteer concerns are dealt with by the appropriate staff member prior to volunteer leaving the hospital.
Awards
Service by volunteers to the hospital is greatly appreciated by members of The Royal Children's Hospital Board of Management, the Chief Executive and hospital staff.
Specific awards for hours and years of service are presented at the volunteer's annual Christmas function ie. The Volunteer Recognition Day.
A special award in the form of a plaque was inaugurated in 1971 and is presented to those volunteers who have completed ten years of continuous service.
A further special award in the form of a silver pelican brooch was inaugurated in 1981 in recognition of volunteers who have completed twenty years of continuous service.
A life governorship certificate was inaugurated in 1989 and is awarded on completion of 25 years' service.
There is also a 30 and 35 year award.
These awards are presented at the volunteer's annual Volunteer Recognition Day.
Amenities
Volunteers are offered car parking facilities, but are reminded that space is very restricted. Therefore parking in the hospital car park is permitted only whilst on duty at the hospital. Volunteers should present their car park ticket to the volunteer office for authorisation.
Food may be purchased from McDonalds, the canteen or convenience store. Tea and coffee is provided in the volunteer lunchroom.
Volunteer Office Staff
The staff of the Volunteer Service are here to help you share experiences and concerns and to be your point of contact for any purpose. Do ask if uncertain about anything at all.