How to apply

To ensure we match your needs, skills and experiences with the right role, we must carry out a thorough process to ensure you are right for the Trust and that the Trust is right for you.

The recruitment process can take up to three months before you actually start in your new role, although this is only an average timescale. The process may be shorter or longer depending on factors outside of our control such as DBS checks, obtaining references, occupational health screening and training dates. You can contact us at any time to find out what stage your application is at.

The steps to becoming a volunteer

1. Your must be able to comply with the criteria below:

• be over 17 years old
• be reliable, trustworthy, motivated, friendly and flexible
• be able to commit to a minimum of 3 hours per week
• be able to commit for at least 6 months with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Before applying it is important to consider that volunteering can be an emotionally demanding experience, so if you are currently or have recently been coping with a medical diagnosis, either as a patient, family member or close friend, this may not be the best time for you to volunteer in a patient-facing role or within a specific department. We usually recommend that all patients await a year before applying to volunteer.

2. When the roles are available on this website, you'll need to complete an application form.

Download an application form by clicking here.

Available roles are posted under our current opportunities page.

 3. When you have completed your application form you can send it to us at either of the below:

Email: bht.services.voluntary@nhs.net

Post: Voluntary Services Department

          Stoke Mandeville Hospital

          Mandeville Road

          Aylesbury

          HP21 8AL

4. When we receive your application form, we will contact your referees and pass your completed occupational health form onto our occupational health department. They may contact you and ask you a few questions depending on your circumstances. Voluntary services will invite you into one of our offices at Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe or Amersham hospitals to bring along the approved forms of ID which will be used to complete your DBS check. Please check what you need to bring with you prior to attending the voluntary services office. For more information regarding our pre-screening checks please see below.

A copy of the list of approved forms of ID is available by clicking here.

5. When you are cleared by DBS, occupational health and your referees, we will contact you to discuss next steps, including further training, induction and key information about your role. DBS checks and references can take up to six weeks to be cleared, so please expect your starting date to be potentially up to six weeks after this.

What do we look for in a volunteer?

Before you can start volunteering at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust you will need to follow a few procedures. We need to check that you are right for a role in the Trust and that the role you are interested in is still available and appropriate for you.

Pre screening requirements

Volunteers must abide by all Trust policies, including health and safety procedures, patient confidentiality guidelines, safeguarding and customer service expectations.

All volunteers are required to undergo a routine health screening and background checks prior to volunteering at the Trust.

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check

We will undertake a background check to determine if you have any previous offences - this includes police cautions.

You will need to bring proof of residence and identity when you come in to complete the DBS check. Please refer to our list of supporting documents within this link for more information on what you will need to bring with you.

Any previous offences will not necessarily exclude you from volunteering at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and it is important to be honest with us in the registration process. Any disclosures will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Health screening

The aim of health screening is to:

• ensure you are fit to carry out the mental and physical tasks of your intended volunteer role without risk to yourself, your colleagues or patients
• identify whether role or task modification or additional support is required and where possible to ensure it is in place prior to starting your role

Personal references

We require two references of character and ability to undertake volunteering from people that are not relatives or close friends. These could be from an employer or organisation that you volunteer for (past or present), a teacher or tutor, a club leader, a religious or cultural leader, case worker or social worker. If you are unsure who you can approach for references please contact us.

Induction and training

If you are accepted as a volunteer, you will be asked to:

• attend one-day volunteer basic training or complete online training modules
• attend an induction with Voluntary Services and your department
• attend further training days for your role, if necessary
• read and sign a volunteer agreement

Dress code

The following requirements are standard for all volunteers:

• All staff and volunteers must wear their photo identification at all times when on the Trust premises. This is to ensure our staff, volunteers, patients and visitors are as safe and secure as possible.
• Volunteers must be in an approved uniform or acceptable clothing at all times when they are on the Trust premises or representing the Trust at a public event.
• If working in a clinical area, volunteers must be bare below the elbow.
• If in a clinical area, jewellery must be used in moderation - no large earrings, necklaces, bracelets, bangles, rings or watches.
• If in a clinical area, nail polish or false nails are not allowed.

Specific departments may have further guidelines due to the nature of the tasks you will be completing.