NMF NATIONAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Telephone Support Contact

Reports to:  Jennifer Buffone, LCSW, Dir. Support Services & Volunteer Development
Phone: 800-862-7326 ext. 22
Email: jbuffone@marfan.org

Time commitment/frequency:
Variable.  Estimated maximum of 10 hrs. a month

Description of responsibilities and related tasks:

• Telephone contacts are the primary providers of NMF peer-to-peer support connections.
• Peer-to-peer contacts are meant to offer messages of hope.  Active listening is the goal, with the volunteer’s own experiences offered to illustrate ways to cope.
• Connections occur if a person contacts a volunteer from the volunteer listing in the “Find a Local Contact” section of the NMF website, or if the NMF’s Information Resource Center.
• Volunteers are requested to respond to inquiries as soon as possible, within 48 hours if your schedule allows.
• If the NMF requests a connection and it is not completed (for whatever reason), the volunteer should notify the NMF that a connection was not made.
• If the person contacting the volunteer has not yet been in touch with the NMF office, the volunteer should ask if he/she may send the person’s name and address to the NMF.   If the person is reluctant to say yes, encourage the person to contact the NMF on their own.
• Volunteers are expected to follow all policies and procedures provided in the Telephone Support Volunteer Orientation Manual.
• The current policy regarding medical referrals must be carefully followed.
• Volunteers are not permitted to recommend or endorse specific medical management techniques or specific medications, although they may note their own effective treatments and medications with the suggestion the person ask their doctor about whether they are appropriate for them.
• Volunteers may request a “leave of absence” or “complete retirement” at any time, for any reason.  You may request any other limitations to your peer support role.  It is important to let the NMF know, in a timely fashion, your desired limitations or any changes you need to make.  

Special training required: 

• Volunteers should read the “Blue Book” Marfan Syndrome 5^th edition by Reed Pyeritz and Cheryl Gasner.  (copy available from the NMF office.)  You are expected to be aware of basic information related to Marfan syndrome including the pattern of inheritance.  The topic is complicated and you are not expected to be experts.  Any requests for information you do not know or understand should be referred to the NMF Information Resource Center.
• Volunteers are asked to carefully review the Telephone Support Volunteer Orientation Manual provided by the NMF office.  The packet includes tips for effective listening, the difference between a friend and a helping volunteer, descriptions of open-ended questions etc.
• Volunteers should be fully aware of the NMF Guidelines for making medical referrals and the Clinic Directory, including the disclaimer and other information included with the Directory.
• Volunteers are encouraged to attend the NMF’s Annual Conference for both the specific volunteer training offered and the opportunity to learn about new research and treatments.

Related policies and/or procedures, including evaluation procedure:

• The NMF office may distribute at various times surveys or evaluation forms.  It is part of the volunteer commitment to return these forms as requested.

By signing this form you acknowledge that you have read the above job description and are expressing interest in becoming a Telephone Support Volunteer.  The next step will be for Jennifer Buffone, Director of Support Services, to call you to discuss your participation in the telephone network. 

 

________________________________________ Volunteer's Signature	________________________________________ Date
________________________________________ Print Name	________________________________________ Phone
________________________________________ Street Address	________________________________________ Email
________________________________________ City, State, Zip Code	________________________________________ Fax

 

Please return to:

Kathy Jeffers, National Volunteer Network Coordinator
National Marfan Foundation
22 Manhasset Avenue
Port Washington, NY 11050
Fax: 516-883-8040