Virtual: After Stroke Peer Support (Atlantic Standard Time)

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The Opportunity:

The After Stroke Peer Volunteer Program connects new stroke survivors and caregivers with peer volunteers who are stroke survivors or caregivers. The volunteers who support the program have a lived experience of the effects of a stroke, and utilize their experience to provide hope, encouragement, and emotional support to people who are beginning the recovery process.

Time Commitment:  1-2 hours per week. Minimum 6 months commitmen
Location:  Vitrual for Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, P.E.I, and New Brunswick)

Tasks and Responsibilities 

  • Initiate and lead one-to-one conversations with patients in a respectful, calm, and supportive manner 
  • Encourage patients to participate and engage in conversation
  • Share their stroke journey and provide hope and encouragement
  • Respect the nature and extent to which patients engage 
  • Record and report volunteer hours and number visits to MODC Volunteer Engagement coordinator monthly 
  • Report any urgent concerns regarding the patient’s that arise during the visit (emotional and physical health) to hospital unit staff and MODC Volunteer Engagement Coordinator 
  • Will debrief with Volunteer Engagement Coordinator on a regular basis or when needed  
  • Introduce MODC After Stroke personalized case management program and community-based peer support programs
  • Utilize the resource "Your Stroke Journey" by the Heart and Stroke foundation of Canada to stimulate conversation
  • More details specific to the task are explained in the volunteer training manual

Qualifications, Skills, Experience 

  • Strong interpersonal skills  
  • Reliable
  • Self-directed; able to work independently
  • Able to follow direction 
  • Able to demonstrate a positive attitude 
  • Be aware of the boundaries of your role and use supervision to clarify when uncertainties arise 
  • Respects and values, cultural diversities, the opinions, and ideas of others 
  • Ability to demonstrate, inform, and share your knowledge based on your lived experience and by using evidence informed document “Your Stroke Journey” with the new stroke survivors and their families about stroke 
  • Must be over 18 years of age
  • Must be a stroke survivor (12 months minimum since stroke occurred) or a caregiver for someone who has had a stroke (required) 
Benefits of the Position

  • Opportunity to receive training from MODC
  • Gain experience and develop greater understanding of stroke rehabilitation
  • Opportunity to have a positive impact on those who have been affected by stroke
  • Opportunity to develop and strengthen your communication skills
  • Participate as a valued volunteer of March of Dimes Canada and of assigned hospital