Education Volunteer

Volunteers in Education support Aging and Dementia Simulation. This hands-on interactive educational experience provides participants an opportunity to walk in the shoes of an aging individual with memory impairments.

Young woman holding a file folder at a conference.

This opportunity is currently available! Click here to fill out our online volunteer application.

To view and download the full role description, please click here.

Role Description

Title: Education Volunteer
Location: At Locations in the Niagara Region
Assigned Supervisor: Director of Education; Coordinator of Volunteer Programs
Time Commitment: As required by booked session or education event

Role Summary

Volunteers in Education support Aging and Dementia Simulation. This hands-on interactive educational experience provides participants an opportunity to walk in the shoes of an aging individual with memory impairments. Volunteers assist the facilitator for the set-up and facilitation of the simulation. Our education Volunteers also support our team at health fairs and education events where needed throughout the community.

Click here to learn more about Aging and Dementia Simulation.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Support the set-up and monitoring of the Aging and Dementia simulation area at sessions
  • Assist and support participant set-up at the Aging and Dementia simulation sessions when requested
  • Observe quietly during participant set-up and only initiate steps when requested by facilitator
  • Follow guidelines set out for communicating with participants during sessions
  • Set up materials and assist in the preparation of ADS sessions
  • Complete written observations of participants in a legible and accurate fashion
  • Act as an ambassador of the ASNR while out in the community at education events
  • Provide information to attendees at Education Health and Wellness Fairs on the programs and services available at the ASNR

Qualifications

  • Experience working with persons with dementia and older adults is an asset
  • Ability to work with our clients, their families and ASNR staff
  • Have a sincere interest in working with adults or seniors with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or dementia
  • Excellent communication and active listening skills
  • Be able to communicate with others on a one-to-one basis in an understanding, caring and sensitive manner
  • Ability to listen objectively and be tolerant of others’ cultural, religious or lifestyle beliefs and attitudes
  • Dependable and punctual

Boundaries

  • Refrain from interrupting the facilitator, interjecting, commenting, or adding information during Aging and Dementia Simulation sessions
  • Health Guidelines must be followed or exceeded
  • Comply with the policies and procedures of the ASNR
  • Maintain strictest of confidence with all matters related to ASNR and its clients
  • Do not endorse, recommend, or favor products, services, or service providers

Screening Requirements

  • Complete an application
  • Attend a One-to-one interview
  • Provide two References
  • Obtain a complete and clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check
  • Must be 18+ years of age

Training Requirements

  • Orientation to agency, ASNR programs, policies, and procedures
  • Online ALZEducate Modules, AODA and WHMIS training
  • Completion of Volunteer Workshop
  • Orientation to the ADS program (includes participating in an ADS and de-brief session)

Benefits

Volunteer

  • Completion and certificates of training programs
  • Use your professional skills in a new setting
  • Develop new and transferable skills
  • Learn new skills and discover new talents
  • Build your network and establish contacts in your field of interest
  • Work with other members of the team to achieve a specific goal
  • Reference available upon request
  • Support a cause that you believe in
  • Annual Volunteer appreciation events and acknowledgement of service

Society

  • Help make life better for those living with dementia
  • Work towards creating dementia-friendly communities
  • Improve the quality of life for persons living with dementia, their care partners, and families

Community

  • Encourage community connections
  • Help improve the quality of community life
  • Work to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer disease and related dementia

Challenges

  • Reliable transportation to location of education sessions
  • Completing Police Vulnerable Sector Clearance

Evaluation

The Coordinator of Volunteer Programs will be responsible for providing feedback to the volunteers in such a way that will allow the volunteer to grow and learn as part of their role. Once per year, volunteers who volunteer in this role in an ongoing capacity or in service for more than 1 year will partake in an annual review with the Coordinator of Volunteer Programs. If a volunteer with less than 1-year requests annual review one will be provided.

Success

The Society acknowledges the contributions of volunteers using methods of recognition that are meaningful and respectful of cultural differences and are committed to continuous quality improvement, which can be best achieved by encouraging feedback.

Recognizing the hard work and dedication of volunteers is very important to the Society.

Volunteers will receive ongoing support and regular recognition in various ways.

Risk Assessment

A Risk Assessment of this role has been completed. In keeping with our Risk Management Framework every effort has been made to ensure the safety of the volunteer, client, care partners and staff during the engagement of this role.