Hospital volunteers Some great Things about You need to know

Seattle Children’s mission is to provide hope, care and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. Since we began in 1907, volunteers have supported our efforts to serve our region’s most vulnerable populations. Volunteers are essential to our success and as such we bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives in an inclusive environment to support the needs of our patients and families. When you volunteer, you join an impressive team that is the heart of Seattle Children’s.

Volunteering Requirements

Seattle Children’s depends upon reliable and dedicated volunteers to ensure the best possible care for our patients and their families. We ask that volunteers commit to the requirements and expectations listed below to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients and families.

Teens

Teens may volunteer in-hospital support positions with the limited patient and family interaction.

• At least 16 years of age when you submit an application
• Available for one weekly 3 hour shift, on the same day and time for at least 6 consecutive month
• Commit to provide a minimum of 60 hours of service
• Authorize a criminal background check
• Signed permission from a Parent/Guardian (form provided)

Many hospitals rely on volunteers to augment the care clinicians provide to patients. But just like with paid positions, it can be difficult to recruit and retain good, reliable people. That’s why hospitals should put as much effort into finding and keeping volunteers as they do to fill other roles.

Launching a marketing campaign to attract volunteers takes time and requires extra resources, but the work will pay off through finding reliable people.

1. Improve volunteer experience. Before you can bring on new volunteers, you have to make sure that current volunteers are enjoying what they do for your hospital. If you’re having trouble keeping people around, it’s important to find out why they’re dissatisfied. You may want to survey current and former volunteers about their experience to pinpoint the biggest issues. It could also be helpful to conduct exit interviews for volunteers when they leave, asking them about their pain points. Then you can take steps to address their specific problems so you can improve volunteer retention. According to the Forbes article, common complaints among hospital volunteers are similar to those: feeling disengaged from decisions that affect their roles, underappreciated for their work and trapped in roles where they have little autonomy or responsibility.
2. Highlight wellness benefits. Volunteer programs typically focus on the good things volunteers do for others. However, to really convince volunteers to stick around, it’s smart to highlight all the personal benefits volunteers can receive from the work they do. Volunteering can improve people’s moods, and give them a sense of connection and support, along with a greater sense of purpose. It even improves people’s physical health – people who volunteer have better heart health and than those who don’t. Selling these benefits could inspire former patients to volunteer with existing ones as part of their recovery process post-discharge.
3. Keep recruiting close to home. People who are familiar with your hospital, whether they’re related to a former patient or acquainted with someone on staff, are most likely to be interested in volunteering. So when creating marketing materials, keep them in mind. Let current volunteers tell their stories about their work – filming them on video is an excellent medium to get the word out. Post these videos on a website that’s specifically designed to recruit volunteers – or on yours. Also consider sponsored ads on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook to expand your reach to those who don’t follow your facility online.

Hello friends, I talk to Biswajit Nayak (pppshopper) Author and CO-Founder, I am a B.A. graduate. I enjoy telling new things related to new topics and technology.