JAMAICA HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER VOLUNTEER DEPT.

As an integral part of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, volunteers offer an extra dimension of care and services to patients, families, and visitors, as well as supportive services to the staff. Volunteers’ selfless contributions of time and energy help make the hospital stay brighter, more comfortable, less intimidating and a lot less lonely for some. Volunteers also are there to comfort the loved one of patients during emergencies and make them feel at ease during surgical procedures.

Volunteers are a very special group of people from all walks of life but are connected by one common thread, a desire to share their talents, compassion, and dedication. Their personal rewards are intangible, expectations of recognition modest, yet hundreds of volunteers find fulfillment, practical work experience and companionship within Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

• Potential volunteers must be at least 16 years of age and able to contribute a minimum of four hours one day per week for three months.
• Adult volunteers must commit to a minimum 150 hours of service
• Junior volunteers must commit to a minimum 100 hours of service
• For more information, please contact the Volunteer Services Department at (718) 206-6003 between the hours of 9AM and 5:30PM, Monday through Friday.
• Volunteer Services Department is in the Axel Building at 134-20 Jamaica Avenue, Room 405 Jamaica, New York 11418    email: acunning@jhmc.org

OVERVIEW

There are many departments and programs at Jamaica Hospital where volunteers are assigned to carry out their service. The list below will give you a small window into some areas and show the diversity of available volunteer opportunities. Assignments may involve indirect patient / client contact, and others that are focused on clerical support. Assignments are available depending on department or program specific needs at any given time. Therefore, qualified volunteers are being sought for the following activities:

SURGICAL WAITING ROOM VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Volunteers provide non-medical information to family and friends of surgical patients. They act as a liaison between family/escorts and staff and must be able to provide information in a professional and compassionate manner. Strong communication and customer service skills are required. Training will be provided.

Available Monday to Friday 9am- 5pm

VOLUNTEER COMPANIONSHIP PROGRAM

This program seeks to reduce the sense of isolation in the hospital. To provide patients with compassionate and attentive care; thus, providing a comforting presence. Volunteers are responsible for provide a comforting presence to patient, read book or magazine to patient, engage patient in conversation when appropriative, and simply sit with patients be a listening ear. Training will be provided.
Available daily with flexible hours.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Volunteers provide a wide range of clerical support for departments throughout the medical center. Duties include filing, faxing, answering phones, data entry and typing. A computer is helpful but not required.

Available Monday to Saturday 9am- 5pm.

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AIDE – SPACE IS LIMITED

Volunteers assist patients and staff in the Emergency Department. They provide patients with compassionate and attentive care; thus, providing a comforting presence, serve as an ED ambassador providing comfort care to patients by supplying them with pillows, blankets, water, or as per patient’s request and perform clerical functions.

Available daily with flexible hours.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY/ PHYSICAL THERAPY

Volunteers interested in these fields assist patients and staff.

Available Monday to Friday 9am- 4pm.

UNIT AIDE

Volunteers provide assistance on patient units. Responsible for assisting nursing staff and patients, transporting supplies, assisting with Cup of Kindness (between 2pm- 4pm), answer call bells, perform clerical tasks, and other duties as deemed necessary and appropriate.

Available daily with flexible hours

CLERICAL

Volunteers provide a wide range of clerical support for departments throughout the medical center. Duties include filing, faxing, answering phones, data entry and typing.  Computer is helpful but not required.

Available Monday to Saturday 9am- 4pm

PATIENT ESCORT SERVICES VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Volunteers serve as a liaison between the staff and the patient and the patient’s family/escort, providing guidance and direction throughout the various locations. Volunteers will greet patients and/or visitors upon arrival at each location. Hold door for people needing help, patients being discharged. Direct patients and visitors to proper locations and when necessary, guide visitors/patients to location- walking.
REQUIREMENTS: Volunteers must be mature, compassionate, empathetic, and have strong interpersonal and communications ability. Bilingual in English and Bengali, French Creole, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish is a plus.

Available 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday