The role of the Reach to Recovery volunteer coordinator is to coordinate and direct the one-to-one volunteer visiting programme for breast cancer patients and ensure that the programme is of a consistently high quality. A coordinator is necessary for the efficient management of the Reach to Recovery group. In some cases, the coordinator may initiate the formation of the group.
The coordinator liaises with breast cancer support service groups, cancer societies, and health-care professionals and promotes the programme among patients and the general public.

Criteria for coordinators
The coordinator should be either a health-care professional or an experienced volunteer. The coordinator will need leadership capacities as well as organizational and communication skills. Important qualifications include the ability to take decisions, design and manage the programme, motivate others and work in a team.

Training
All coordinators are encouraged to attend train-the-trainer workshops offered by Reach to Recovery International and supportive care training sessions.

Responsibilities:
Though responsibilities may vary, the coordinator’s basic tasks are:

• to define the programme and its objectives
• to maintain, develop and strengthen the programme
• to select suitable volunteers
• to organize and implement volunteer training programmes
• to supervise volunteers
• to match patients and volunteers as closely as possible
• to maintain volunteer and patient records and ensure confidentiality of patient information
• to liaise with health professionals, organizations and treatment centres
• to monitor and evaluate the Reach to Recovery programme and make changes where necessary

Liaison with health professionals,patients and the general public

• Promote the Reach to Recovery breast cancer support service to health personnel, patients, and the general public
• Work with a medical advisor as liaison between the medical community and volunteers
• Establish and maintain contact with hospital personnel
• Acquaint volunteers with the policies and procedures of hospitals

Liaison with other Reach to Recovery groups

Take advantage of the opportunities offered by Reach to Recovery International to exchange information with other groups sharing the same interests and aims throughout the world

• Contribute the group’s experience to common knowledge and know-how
• Organize exchange training programmes and train-the-trainer workshops

Administrative tasks

• Maintain administrative files and submit essential patient record information to the appropriate volunteer
• Schedule trained volunteers to visit patients
• Coordinate Reach to Recovery administrative duties, telephone enquiries, correspondence and counsel for volunteers and others interested in the Reach to Recovery programme.
• Schedule and direct the arrangements for meetings and training sessions

Assessing results

• Contact patients’ doctors for assessment regarding the volunteer service
• Regularly evaluate the Reach to Recovery Breast Cancer Support Service and implement the necessary changes

Ongoing training

Coordinators attend Reach to Recovery conferences and workshops and receive the RRI newsletter bloom to keep them up to date with current developments in peer supportive care.