Summary
During the past several years, many Americans have embraced integrated therapies to combat a wide range of illnesses and health conditions. People with cancer and related diseases frequently use these approaches to alleviate symptoms such as nausea, fatigue,
pain and anxiety. The Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrated Therapies provide quality clinical services to patients and families, sponsor educational programs and training sessions, and conduct research studying these interventions.
The Hands on Care Volunteer Program provides a complimentary, personal program for patients to increase satisfaction and enhance their quality of care. Trained volunteers, under the guidance of the licensed massage therapist, will provide a 15-minute
hand massage. The service is the application of a gentle, tender, soothing, touch to the hands. This service is not a treatment.
Objective
Through the application of a gentle hand massage by trained volunteers, patients will experience comfort and care during their chemo therapy infusion treatments. Through this volunteer and patient interaction, we are looking for decreased anxiety and
increased satisfaction in overall care of the patient.
Populations Served
Adult patients
Duties
- Obtain cart and get necessary items, i.e. towels, pillows, hand wipes, Purell, moisturizing lotion, etc.
- Upon arriving on floor, check with the charge nurse or designate and obtain a list of names. Review the list with the charge nurse or designate and verify appropriateness of each patient indicated.
- Identify the patient by verbally asking them at least two patient identifiers, first name, middle name, last name, date of birth or medical record number.
- Introduce yourself to the patient and briefly describe the program.
- Follow proper hand washing techniques before and after providing the hand massage.
- Prepare patient for the moisturizing hand massage.
- Follow operating procedures after session is completed.
- Give the patient the evaluation form.
- Document the patient's name and date in binder.
- Restock the cart for the next volunteer.
Essential Skills Needed
- Warm, caring, sensitive individuals who display compassion to cancer patients
- Able to recognize the emotional needs of cancer patients
- Able to follow directions and take supervision
- Able to work with patients and families in stressful situations while remaining empathetic and non-judgmental
- Committed, reliable and flexible and able to provide at least a one-year commitment
- Able to demonstrate abilities to support all adult patients; including sensitivity to cultural, ethnic and socio-economic differences
- Excellent communicators who can work will all levels in the Institute, i.e. nursing, administrative, etc.
- Objective and will not personalize their experiences with patients.
- Able to demonstrate readiness on taking a volunteer role
Physical Demands
Must be able push a cart around 15 to 20 lbs, with the necessary supplies.
Volunteer Shifts
Volunteers will be available Monday through Friday during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The expectation is that the volunteer be available for the same three-hour block, one day per week. This assignment is for one full year.