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 ones of patients during emergencies and make them feel at ease during surgical procedures.
Volunteers are a very special group of people who come 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 minimum150 hours of service
- Junior volunteers must commit to a minimum100 hours of service
- For more information or to volunteer time, please contact the Volunteer Services Department at (718) 206-6000 Ext. 4078 between the hours of 9AM and 5PM, Monday through Friday.
- Volunteer Services Department is located in theAxelBuildingat134-20 Jamaica Avenue, Room 405 Jamaica,New York11418 email: acunning@jhmc.org
OVERVIEW
There are many departments and programs volunteers are assigned to carry out their service. The list below will give you a small window into some areas and also 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:
VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS
THE EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT CARING LINKS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
The Emergency Services Department Caring Links Volunteer Program is to provide a supportive, caring environment in the Emergency Services Department. Volunteers serve as a liaison between the Emergency Services Department staff and the patient and the patient’s family/escort, providing updated non-medical information. Caring Link Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and possess maturity, flexibility, friendliness, tact, sensitivity, good judgment and a commitment to patients’ privacy and confidentiality. Training will be provided.
Available daily 7am- 9pm
MEDICAL INTERPRETER SERVICES PROGRAM
The purpose of the program is to lessen the anxiety and frustration patients and families sometimes encounter with language barriers. The volunteers’ assistance can help the patients and family/escorts focus and communicate confidently with staff.
If you are looking to give back to the community and you speak English and Spanish, Bengali, Hindi or Punjabi, and have knowledge of medical terminology in both languages, this program may be for you. Volunteers will provide a comforting presence to patient. Provide medical interpreting assistance to LEP patients. Be available to accompany administrators on MAD rounds to assist with interpreting. Engage patient in conversation when appropriate. Must be at least 19 year of age and possess strong communication and customer service skills. Training will be provided.
Available Monday to Friday 9am- 5pm
SURGICAL WAITING ROOM
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
THE FAMILY MEDICINE CENTER VOLUNTEER GREETER PROGRAM
The aim of the Family Medicine Center Volunteer Greeter Program is to provide a supportive, caring environment in the Family Medicine Center. Volunteers serve as a liaison between the Family Medicine Center staff and the patient and the patient’s family/escort, providing guidance and direction throughout the Center. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, compassionate, empathetic and have strong interpersonal and communication ability. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Hindi, or French Creole preferred. Training will be provided.
Available Monday to Saturday day 9am- 4pm
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
BOOKCART
Volunteers are responsible for bringing a library cart with books and magazines to patient floors.
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
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AIDE
Volunteers assist patients and staff in the Emergency Department. They are responsible for transporting specimens and patients, meal assistance, companionship and clerical functions.
Available daily with flexible hours
FRIENDLY VISITING
Volunteers provide friendly visiting to patients in the hospital setting.
Available daily with flexible hours
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY/ PHYSICAL THERAPY
Volunteers interested in these fields assist patients and staff.
Available Monday to Friday 9am- 4pm
PEDIATRIC RECREATION
Volunteers provide recreation assistance and supervision to pediatric inpatients.
Available daily with flexible hours
PEDIATRIC STORYBOOK
Volunteers provide story book reading or story telling to pediatric inpatients.
Available daily with flexible hours
UNIT AIDE
Volunteers provide assistance on patient units. Responsible for assisting nursing staff and patients, transporting supplies, running errands, meal trays, clerical, and other duties as deemed necessary and appropriate.
Available daily with flexible hours
SURGICAL ADVOCATE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
The responsibility of the Surgical Advocate is to provide updated non-medical information to family member of patients during the surgical process. The surgical experience is one of high anxiety for the patient and family members. Volunteers help bridge the gap during the surgical process keeping family members informed as to where the patient is and other information as needed.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, must commit to a minimum of one four hour shift and possess excellent communication and customer service skills. Qualified applicants will be required to attend a training program focused on customer satisfaction, cultural diversity, patient confidentiality, pastoral care support, conflict resolution, and other topics to assist the volunteer in their role. Additionally, medical clearance and drug clearance and attendance at a four hour volunteer orientation is required.
