Volunteer

Find out more about out volunteer program:

• Volunteers
• Volunteer Orientation Course
• Volunteer Roles
• Become a volunteer

About Volunteering

Why volunteer?

Volunteering for Physiopedia is an amazing opportunity for any physiotherapist or physical therapist.  It is a great complement to your daily work, improves employability and will contribute to your continuing education and professional development.

We are building the largest physiotherapy and physical therapy specific resource available, and we need your help!  There is always so much to do to at Physiopedia and we always welcome offers to contribute.  Help us to build what we hope will become an amazing resource for our profession.  

How will you benefit?

Joining us on the team at Physiopedia is a great addition to your CV! From the experience you are likely to gain new profession-related knowledge and also to advance your technical skills. Volunteering will contribute to your continuing education and professional development and you can know, and feel good about the fact, that you have contributed to our global profession by playing an important role in building this professional resource.

With successful voluntary contributions we are happy to provide you with certification for your continuing education and professional development, plus references for your current and potential employers.

It's fun as well!

Physiopedia Hackathon 2016	Physiopedia team at CSP conference 2015
Physiopedia blogging team at IFOMPT 2015	Physiopedia team at CPA conference 2015

How do I become a volunteer?

All our volunteers complete the Volunteer Orientation Course. Following successful completion of this course all our volunteers complete six months on the content development team. This consolidates all that you have learned on the course and gives you an opportunity to demonstrate where your unique skills and interests lie. After your six month review you are provided with a specific role that suits this skills that you have demonstrated plus your individual qualifications, experience and interests.  

If you would like to become a volunteer, sign up for the next Volunteer Orientation Course here.  

If you have any questions please do get in touch.

Volunteer Program

1. Recruitment

• Volunteers will be recruited from the physiotherapy and physical therapy community.  They may be students, graduates, clinicians, educators, researchers.
• On acceptance to the volunteer program you will become a White Belt Volunteer.

2. Orientation

• All volunteers must progress through the volunteer orientation course.
• During this orientation period you will familiarise yourself with our communication channels, complete your profile page, create 1 new page, quality assess 2 pages in Physiopedia and write a reflective piece on your experience.  These tasks will help to familiarise you with navigating and editing the site and you will gain valuable technical skills that will enable you to progress on through the volunteer program.
• On successful graduation from this orientation period you will be provided with certification to prove your progress through the program for employers and continuing education and professional development purposes.
• On graduation from the orientation period you will become a Yellow Belt Volunteer.

3. Assigned Role

• Once you have graduated from the orientation period you will complete 6 months on the content development team.  This will consolidate your editing skills and understanding of the Physiopedia project.
• After 6 months, following your first appraisal, you will be assigned to a role that suits your personal preferences, skills, experience and qualifications.
• You will be expected to meet the specific requirements of your volunteer role and submit an activity report every month.  

4. Training and Development

• Volunteers will be provided with all the training that they need for their specific role.
• Volunteers will also benefit from free access to Physiopedia Plus to contribute to your CPD/CE.

5. Performance Appraisal

• Each volunteer will have an appraisal at the end of every year on the team.
• Volunteers have the opportunity to progress through the volunteer ranks on an annual basis following a satisfactory performance appraisal.

6. Recognition and Awards

• Certification will be provided to prove volunteer role to employers and continuing education and professional development requirements.
• Volunteers who display exceptional skills in contributing to Physiopedia may be promoted into a managerial role.  

7. Retention or Replacement

• Volunteers may choose to leave the program at any time.
• Underperforming volunteers will be replaced.

Volunteer Rights

Volunteers have the right to . . .

• an adequate orientation to the organisation
• a clearly written job description
• be assigned to a job that suits their personal preferences, skills, experience and qualifications
• be trained to do their job
• a satisfying job
• know their supervisor and how to contact them
• be provided with adequate guidance and supervision
• have their personal information held confidentially
• be involved in decisions that affect their areas of responsibility
• have their concerns and complaints heard
• be respected by co-workers
• feedback about their performance
• be recognised for contributing their time, experience, ideas and skills
• say ‘no’; volunteers should not be coerced into doing tasks against their wishes or that they do not feel qualified to do
• to take time off for a holiday or for personal reasons
• to resign from their position

Volunteer Responsibilities

Volunteers have the responsibility to . . .

• ensure they have the time necessary to take on a volunteer position
• work within the policies and rules of the organisation
• respect the privacy of staff and other volunteers
• be reliable and dependable
• complete agreed hours and tasks
• inform the organisation when they will not be available to volunteer
• be loyal to the organisation
• speak up about important issues or concerns
• attend meetings and training sessions
• follow directions given by supervisors
• be a team player and to support staff and other volunteers
• be considerate about the views of staff and other volunteers
• identify their limitations and expectations
• be accountable and to accept constructive criticism