Volunteer Driver Position Description
Road to Recovery Program
Road to Recovery is an American Cancer Society program designed to help improve the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing active treatment by transporting them to and from cancer-related appointments.
Role of the Road to Recovery Volunteer Driver
The trained Road to Recovery volunteer driver is the key to the program’s success, offering not just a ride, but also the understanding and caring to patients that only a professionally trained cancer resource volunteer can provide.
Road to Recovery also serves as a "gateway" to other services offered by the American Cancer Society, such as I Can Cope and Look Good…Feel Better, and provides information to patients about other community resources that can help meet their needs.
Role of the Road to Recovery Volunteer Driver
The trained Road to Recovery volunteer driver is the key to the program’s success, offering not just a ride, but also the understanding and caring to patients that only a professionally trained cancer resource volunteer can provide.
Road to Recovery also serves as a "gateway" to other services offered by the American Cancer Society, such as I Can Cope and Look Good…Feel Better, and provides information to patients about other community resources that can help meet their needs.
Responsibilities
- Attend all required certification and re-certification trainings.
- Fulfill all transportation requests received from the Volunteer Coordinator or staff partner, to the best of his/her ability.
- Notify the Volunteer Coordinator or staff partner as soon as possible if an assignment cannot be completed.
- Coordinate/confirm with the patient at least one day prior to the scheduled assignment.
- Pick up patients promptly at the designated time and place.
- Follow safe driving procedures at all times.
- Display American Cancer Society placard at all times when driving patients.
- Be supportive of patient’s concerns but do not offer medical advice, counseling, or personal opinions.
- Be able to connect patients with available cancer resources, services, or support programs.
- Report all required transportation information to the Volunteer Coordinator or staff partner in a timely manner.
- Report traffic accidents/violations to the Volunteer Coordinator or staff partner.
Qualifications
Volunteer drivers should:
- Complete the 2-hour teleconference training, “Road to Recovery: Essentials of an Effective Driver”.
- Possess a safe driving record according to the DMV Motor Vehicle Report.
- Attend a face-to-face Patient Support Training within his/her first year of volunteering in a patient service program.
- Maintain certification by participating in the re-certification training, “Road to Recovery Update” once every two years.
- Be familiar with the community (roads, locations of major hospitals, etc.).
- Have access to a serviceable car with seatbelts and adequate insurance coverage.
- Be emotionally stable, friendly, and compassionate.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to the cancer patient and tact in conversation and attitude, as well as respect of the patient’s right to confidentiality.
- Demonstrate appreciation of and respect for diverse backgrounds, cultures and lifestyles of patients, caregivers, volunteers and staff.
- Cooperate with other volunteers and staff.
- Follow through on all commitments.
- Be at least one year out of active treatment if a cancer survivor.
Volunteer Coordinator Position Description
Road to Recovery Program
Road to Recovery is an American Cancer Society program designed to help improve the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing active treatment by transporting them to and from cancer-related appointments.Role of the Road to Recovery Volunteer Coordinator
The trained Road to Recovery Coordinator is the key to the program’s success, scheduling volunteer drivers who provide life-saving transportation assistance to cancer patients to and from their cancer-related appointments.
Road to Recovery also serves as a "gateway" to other services offered by the American Cancer Society, such as I Can Cope and Look Good…Feel Better, and provides information to patients about other community resources that can help meet their needs.
Responsibilities
Service Coordination:• Receives requests for transportation from Cancer Resource Specialists at the Stephanie H. Lane Cancer Resource Network (Network). Assesses transportation requests and assigns to appropriate active Road to Recovery Drivers.
• Provides status updates to Network Cancer Resource Specialist concerning filled and unfilled transportation requests.
• Works with the Network Cancer Resource Specialist and local staff partner to maintain accurate records of Volunteer Drivers.
• Reports problems to the Network Cancer Resource Specialist and/or local staff partner.
Program Assessment:
• Provides on-going assessment of program policies and procedures, volunteer availability, community demand for services and potential program enhancements with the local staff partner and the Network.
• Attend periodic statewide Volunteer Coordinator Conference Calls offered by the Network to share best practices with other Coordinators, share program assessments and needs with the Network, and discuss strategies to enhance the program (optional, but highly encouraged).
• Assesses available transportation alternatives in the community as needed with the Network Cancer Resource Specialist and local staff partner.
Volunteer Recruitment and Management:
• Assists local staff partner as needed with planning and implementing a year-round recruitment strategy.
• Assists local staff partner as needed with screening potential Volunteer Drivers for appropriateness, including informing new Road to Recovery Volunteer Drivers of the two-part certification process (training and DMV check).
• Works with local staff partner to inform veteran Volunteer Drivers of re-certification training opportunities throughout the year and encourages veteran Volunteer Drivers to remain active within the program by completing the bi-annual re-certification training requirement.
• Upholds Road to Recovery volunteer training requirements, program policies and procedures, and assists local staff partner as needed in communicating new program enhancements and best practices with Volunteer Drivers.
• Works with local staff partner to encourage Volunteer Drivers to take advantage of on-going learning opportunities (Doc Talks, Program-specific and Skill Enhancement Teleconference Trainings, Patient Support Trainings, etc.).
• Assists local staff partner as needed in organizing awards and recognition functions for Volunteer Drivers.
Qualifications
• Successful completion of the 2-hour teleconference training, “Road to Recovery: Essentials of an Effective Driver”.• DMV clearance of Motor Vehicle Report (for Coordinators who will also provide transportation for patients).
• Attend a face-to-face Patient Support Training within his/her first year of volunteering in a patient service program.
• Have access to a serviceable, presentable vehicle with seatbelts (for Coordinators who will also provide transportation for patients).
• Have proof of adequate automobile insurance on the vehicle, including comprehensive liability limits for third party bodily injury and property damage (for Coordinators who will also provide transportation for patients).
• Knowledge of transportation options in the community.
• Ability to respond quickly to requests for transportation.
• Ability to keep accurate and organized records.
• Sensitive to the needs of cancer patients.
• Respectful of patient’s right to confidentiality.
• Good communication and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to maintain Road to Recovery certification by participating in the bi-annual recertification training, “Road to Recovery Update”.
• Appreciation of and respect for diverse backgrounds, cultures and lifestyles of patients, caregivers, volunteers and staff.
Road to Recovery Training Descriptions
Road to Recovery I: Essentials of an Effective Driver
Required certification training for NEW Road to Recovery Volunteers to support you before you begin driving cancer patients to treatment. Provides an overview of the Road to Recovery Program, nationwide program standards, DMV review process, auto insurance standards, key California Division program protocols and best practices in working with cancer patients.
Prospective Road to Recovery Volunteers
What is Road to Recovery?
Every day thousands of cancer patients need a ride to treatment, but some may not have a way to get there. Road to Recovery provides transportation to and from treatment for people who have cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves. Volunteer drivers donate their time and the use of their cars so that patients can receive the life-saving treatments they need.
Volunteers can help with the Road to Recovery program by serving as volunteer drivers or coordinators. Click on the position descriptions below to read more about these volunteer roles. If you’re interested in applying, simply download one of the applications, complete it and return it to your local Society office for consideration.
Watch this video to learn how you can make a difference as a volunteer driver!
BRAND NEW! Click here to watch a video testimonial from a volunteer driver and cancer survivor. Although the volunteer is from another Division, his main points are relevant to the program here in California.
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