World is full of places that need volunteers, including hospitals; here are some ideas

Christina Vanderpool

The Webster dictionary defines a volunteer as a person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service. This service can be to the military, a fire department, voting polls, even to other entities like hospitals and even prisons.

April 21-27 is volunteer week. The week is dedicated to recognizing the millions of volunteers around the world and the work they do to better our communities by selflessly giving to others. Many Americans feel volunteering in some way is a part of their civic duties, others feel we have a responsibility to give back to others. One in four Americans volunteer, women are more likely than men to be a volunteer, and most volunteers are between ages 35 and 44.

Why should people consider volunteering? It connects you to others while making your community a better place and positively impacting others’ lives. It can reduce the effects of stress, anger and even anxiety. Volunteering can help combat depression and help increase self-confidence. Volunteering exposes you to new activities and offers experiences that may even help advance your full time career.

Christina Vanderpool
Christina Vanderpool

Hospital volunteers play a vital role

University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center has volunteers who play an important role in the day-to-day operation of the hospital. UHSMC has 41 volunteers who work in nine different areas of the hospital.

Here are some of the jobs the volunteers do:

  • Front Desk Main Entrance: Greeting each patient and visitor. Assisting them to find the area or staff member that they need, or the process of signing in for a procedure. Providing a wheelchair for those that are not able to walk a long distance. Take gifts or products to the correct person or area of the hospital.

  • Mail Messenger: With one central mail room, the volunteer helps sort the incoming mail by department, places the items in folders on a cart, then delivers to each staff member. While delivering the incoming mail, they also check each outgoing mail box (in every department of every floor) that is taken back to the mail room for distribution.

  • Gift Shop: Volunteers assist the gift shop manager by keeping the gift shop clean and tidy, checking products to make sure they have been priced, helping customers find items they are looking for, checking out the customers and answering incoming phone calls.

  • Surgery Desk: Volunteers greet incoming patients. They show them where to sign in for registration, where to wait until they are called for surgery and assist the patient’s visitors to the waiting room.

  • Emergency Department: This is one of those jobs that encompasses “other duties as assigned”. The volunteer assists in whatever is needed that day. It may be stocking room closets with towels and blankets, or delivering items to other departments.

  • Pet Pals: A certified handler and dog come to the hospital to visit patients and staff. For those having a difficult day, or that may have pets at home that they are missing, this is a way to relieve stress and often helps in their healing process.

  • Materials Management: A volunteer will help unload the delivered boxes and separate the products in bins that are sent by conveyor belt to the storage room. Some of the products require a sticker that the volunteer will place on the package as well.

  • EMS Ordering: A volunteer orders snacks and drinks that are stored in the EMS breakroom. The volunteer makes sure the products stay fresh, and only orders what is needed before the food would expire.

  • Maintaining Food Pantry: UH Samaritan started a food and clothing pantry two years ago. The volunteer checks all donated items for expiration date and that the packaging meets the government requirements for food safety. They inventory the products while rotating them based on expiration dates.

How to figure out where to volunteer

Start with considering these things:

  • Would you like to work with adults, children, animals or remotely from home?

  • Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?

  • Are you better behind the scenes or do you prefer to take a more visible role?

  • How much time are you willing to commit?

  • What skills can you bring to a volunteer job?

  • What causes are important to you?

Once these questions are answered research local nonprofits and other agencies that use volunteers. Inquire about applying to become a volunteer, and go from there.

To become a volunteer at University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center contact the volunteer coordinator Kriss Ott at 419-207-7879 or by email at Kriss.Ott@UHhospitals.org . To apply online visit https://www.uhhospitals.org/locations/uh-samaritan-medical-center/volunteer-services .

Christina Vanderpool, RN, BSN, Community Outreach Nurse Communications and Development at University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: UH Samaritan in Ashland has variety of volunteer opportunities

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