Health TAPESTRY-TRIAGE
TRAINED COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
JOB DESCRPTION
General Description
The Health TAPESTRY-TRIAGE program is a partnership between two well-established research programs that
target and support optimal aging. The Geriatric Education and Research in Aging Sciences (GERAS) Centre at
Hamilton Health Sciences is a leader in frailty research and aged care delivery. Established in 2013, the GERAS
Centre’s strategic direction is to link research, practice and education for point-of-care improvements for
seniors. The Health TAPESTRY program at McMaster University is coordinated by the Department of Family
Medicine in collaboration with the McMaster Family Health Team and other sites across Canada. The project
received $8.7 million in funding from Health Canada, with additional support from Government of Ontario
(MOHLTC), Labarge Optimal Aging Initiative, and McMaster Family Health Organization. Health TAPESTRY is a
health and social care approach centred on meeting a person’s health goals with the support of technology,
trained community volunteers, an interprofessional team, system navigation, and better links between primary
care and community organizations.
The Health TAPESTRY-TRIAGE partnership aims to understand how to support Health TAPESTRY older adult
participants who have been targeted for increased support for physical activity levels, nutrition, and community
and social engagement. The Health TAPESTRY-TRIAGE program is a multi-component program that focuses on
nutrition, fitness and function, polypharmacy, and psychosocial support. Our aim is to provide this program by
partnering with trained community volunteers, who will help provide support for the program components.
This is a unique opportunity for community volunteers who will be asked to interact with and provide support
to older adults (70+) over the course of the program, particularly around fitness, function, nutrition, and
psychosocial support. Several training opportunities in the health care field will be offered and will provide
participants with valuable skills and experience interacting with older adults, assisting with wellness
assessments and being involved with a health services research project.
Time Commitment
Volunteers will be expected to contribute a minimum of 2-4 hours of service every week over a 4-6 month
period, starting January 2016 and will be expected to provide a consistent schedule from Monday to Friday.
All volunteers are expected to complete training/educational modules (in-person and online) and will then
receive certification as a trained Community Volunteer after completing a demonstration of proficiency.
Volunteers will be asked to participate in a 1-hour focus group once during the project in order to provide
feedback.
Qualifications Required
- All participants must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be able to communicate clearly in English
- Volunteers will be expected to travel within the community to do client home visits therefore must have
reliable transportation by personal or public transit
(ALL VISITS WITHIN HAMILTON)
- Volunteers must have valid CPR/First Aid certification
Experience
At least one (1) year previous experience working in a volunteer organization and; working with older adults is
preferred.
Expectations
All participants in the Health TAPESTRY-TRIAGE program are expected to demonstrate the following:
- Good communication and active listening skills
- Ability to work independently and within a team
- Ability to set clear boundaries
- Pleasant interpersonal skills
- Respect/adhere to privacy and confidentiality guidelines
- Good organizational skills
- Empathy and compassion
- Capacity to remain calm in unexpected situations
- Enjoyment of socializing with older adults
Duties & Responsibilities
Volunteers must be willing to participate in the following duties:
- Work in volunteer pairs to provide services to clients
- Communicate with volunteer organizations, program manager, family health team and/or community
based organizations
- Use a tablet computer and other technology to provide information to above partners
- Administer questionnaires and performance-based assessments to clients
- Provide social connection to older adults
- Complete feedback and reports
Supervision
Volunteers will be fully trained and work alongside a Registered Kinesiologist, Dietician, Physiotherapist,
Occupational Therapist and other members of the McMaster Family Health Team. An emergency contact for
the program manager will be available for phone support. The ability to work with minimal supervision is an
asset.
Benefits of the Position
Some key aspects of the program are:
- The opportunity to get involved with a research program
- Hands on experience working with senior clients in homes
- Participate in the primary care of Hamilton residents
- Experience working with older adults
- Educational opportunities
- Rewarding relationships
- Work as part of an interdisciplinary health team
- Will look great on a resume
Screening Requirements
All volunteers must satisfy the below criteria:
- In-person interview
-
Reference check
Police records check (reimbursements available)
TB test (reimbursements available)
If you are interested in applying for this unique volunteer opportunity, please contact one of the following
people, to set up an interview.
Marianne Hannon
Volunteer Coordinator, Health TAPESTRY
Department of Family Medicine
David Braley Health Sciences Centre
100 Main Street West, 5th Floor
Hamilton ON L8P 1H6
Larkin Lamarche, PhD
Research Coordinator, Health TAPESTRY
Department of Family Medicine
David Braley Health Sciences Centre
100 Main Street West, 5th Floor
Hamilton ON L8P 1H6
P: 905.525.9140 x 28505
E: [email protected]
P: 905.525.9140 (x 21224)
E: [email protected]