Training

All volunteers are required to take a Health Screening and an Infection Control training BEFORE they can volunteer. They sign up for these trainings at Madison House. A Unit training is also required. After all screening and trainings are complete, the volunteer may begin volunteering.

Responsibilities

Tasks that volunteers perform vary tremendously from one unit to another and from one shift to another. Some units afford limited patient contact. Volunteers usually perform staff support services such as transporting patients and equipment or taking samples to the labs. Other units permit direct contact with individual patients.

The Medical Services volunteer by no means practices medicine however volunteer work does provide the opportunity to gain exposure to the hospital setting. Volunteers who are dedicated to the units they serve find their work extremely rewarding. Over time, they acquire a solid understanding of the daily functioning of a large medical center, and are able to develop the "human touch" so important to medicine.

Volunteers in this program need not meet any particular qualifications. However, sensitivity to people and a sincere motivation are characteristics that every medical volunteer should possess. The hospital staff relies heavily on the volunteers and it is imperative that they keep their commitments. This builds a trusting relationship between volunteers and the staff at the hospital.

The time commitment for this program is one year. Shifts are usually 3 hours once a week.