Volunteer Services

Click here for an application (pdf file)

The rewards of volunteering are countless . . . gain new skills, build new friendships, ease the burdens of concerned family members, brighten the day of patients, bring smiles to children and ease restless babies to sleep. These things make life better . . . for you and those you help.

A Glimpse of the Service League
The Service League at Sacred Heart Medical Center began in 1960 with a group of 25 women. Their purpose was to relieve the regular hospital staff duties not requiring professional training so they could enhance the service to patients. Today, there are over 450 adults, college students and young people who fulfill that mission. With proceeds of the Gift Shop, the Service League donates thousands of dollars to patient care programs in the hospital each year.

Many Roles to Play
Sacred Heart has many activities and services needing volunteers. The Medical Center has, on an average, over 300 patients to serve every day, not counting those who come for outpatient services such as dialysis or radiation therapy. In addition to those hundreds of patients, there are many other people who enter our Community of Caring to visit loved ones and friends. All of these individuals, in some way, benefit from the helping hands of volunteers.

In what ways do volunteers make a difference at Sacred Heart Medical Center?

• Answering phones and assisting staff and visitors on nursing units
• Greeting visitors in waiting rooms and at information desks
• Staffing the Service League's Gift Shop
• Fulfilling clerical duties in many different departments
• Escorting patients through the Medical Center
• Rocking babies in the nursery
• Listening to and assisting concerned visitors
  

Service areas include:

• Baby Rockers (Newborn Intensive Care Unit)
• Birth Place
• Chaplaincy Services
• Education/Library Services
• Emergency Department
• Errands and Escort
• House of Charity
• Humor Care (Bingo, Humor Cart, Pet-Assisted Therapy)
• Mailings and Special Projects
• Main Information Desk
• Patient Liaisons
• Pediatrics
• Presence with the Dying
• Providence Center for Faith and Healing
• Waiting Rooms

In addition, special events such as Heart Follies, employee Christmas party, Baby's First Christmas and Children's Hospital Fair benefit from the involvement of volunteers.

Who Volunteers?
What type of person is a hospital volunteer? The truth is, there is no one type. At Sacred Heart, you'll find volunteers from all walks of life—college students, retirees, teens, working people, former Sacred Heart employees, individuals with disabilities. All have found volunteer positions that are right for them.

Working Together
If you wish to work alongside the Sacred Heart staff, we will work with you to find the right position and the right schedule. There are some opportunities on evening and weekend shifts, as well as regular day shifts. We'll take into account whether you have a job or other commitments and the amount of time you have available. All volunteers are asked to commit a minimum of four hours of service a week for one year.

Becoming a Volunteer
To pursue a volunteer position at Sacred Heart, call Volunteer Services at 474-3166. You'll be asked to complete an application and meet with the director for an interview. In addition, we'll need your permission to conduct a state law enforcement background check (requirement for anyone who works or volunteers in a hospital). Once you've been approved and assigned your special role, you'll become acquainted with the Medical Center in a thorough orientation session.

We invite you to join our team. Call today and expect to make life better . . . for our staff, our visitors and patients, and for yourself!

Apply Today!
Click here to download the Acrobat PDF application.