Mealtime volunteer - patient support

FRIMLEY PARK AND HEATHERWOOD

To collect patients food trays and assist patients at mealtimes who are unable or find it difficult to feed themselves.

• All volunteers will be trained in Frimley Health Trust’s mealtime competencies. This will allow you to feed patients safely and with an awareness of our coding systems which indicate patient needs and risk factors.
• Assist with the feeding of patients on wards; directly feeding patients, assisting them with positioning of their tray and cutlery, or opening packets and cutting up food.
• Follow your training to ensure that patients being fed are given the appropriate meals and that they receive any prescribed supplementary food items
• Adhere carefully to all infection control protocols, including the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment as needed
• Ensure that the appropriate utensil and feeding aids are used at all times
• Converse with patients, and offer them companionship during mealtimes
• Feed back to nursing staff regarding patients' food intake, before leaving the ward area
• Ensure that all patients fed are offered and given choice of fluid refreshments as appropriate to their requirements
• Respect patients' wishes and report to ward nurses any adverse occurrences
• Ensure that patients they feed are left clean and tidy and uneaten food items removed
• All volunteers will be polite and at all times maintain patient's privacy and dignity
• Smart, clean, tidy, of modest appearance. Volunteers must wear their volunteer t-shirts and their ID badge at all times.  You must be bare below the elbows at all times to promote public confidence and allow effective hand hygiene.

What skills do I need?

• You must complete Frimley Health NHS Trust’s Mealtime Competency Training
• Friendly and enthusiastic
• Good listening and communication skills are essential.
• Patience and composure
• A caring, sympathetic, sensitive manner and a non-judgmental approach
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Have a positive outlook and enthusiastic approach
• Willingness to work without direct supervision
• Reliable / dependable / flexible