HealthCare Volunteers

Working as healthcare volunteers is an incredibly rewarding experience for anyone who wishes to donate his or her time. However, there are volunteer opportunities for those who wish to expand their compassion and charity to the global community. According to the World Health Organization ten million children under the age of five die each year globally. Preventable diseases and little or no access to medical care cause most of these deaths. Local organizations like the Red Cross have programs, like The Red Crescent, that provide healthcare and other services to countries in need of appropriate medical care for its citizens. The World Health Organization also has many volunteer opportunities in over one hundred and thirty countries. UNICEF is another global organization that offers healthcare programs in foreign countries.

Perhaps you have a specific area you would like to volunteer in. For example, the AIDS crisis in Africa, or the poor maternity care in Indonesia, or working in mobile clinics bringing vaccinations to villages along the Amazon River. Wherever your interests lie there are positions available. Most of these organizations offer a volunteer search to help match your skills and interests to their needs. It helps to have medical experience in these situations but it is often not necessary. Some programs will offer some training and certifications prior to leaving for the intended country. There are several things you will need to do before you are allowed to volunteer for these positions. Most importantly you will need a valid US passport. Since these can be difficult to obtain you may want to apply for one before you start looking for healthcare volunteer opportunities. You never know how quickly you will leave once you have applied for the position. You will most likely need to pass a background check and provide any credentials if applying for a position that requires healthcare experience.

Depending on which country you will be going to you will need to get certain vaccinations against diseases not commonly seen in the US. For example, malaria can be transmitted by mosquitoes as well as other tropical diseases. Be sure your vaccines are updated as well as getting any additional country-specific vaccines.

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When we think about healthcare volunteers we think about assisting people in the recovery process. What most people do not think about is helping other die. It may sound morbid but hospice volunteers play a very important role in helping people die with dignity and helping their families through the grieving process. Hospice care, also referred to as palliative care, is a special type of medical care given to those with terminal illnesses or who are close to dying and do not want to be kept alive artificially. Hospice volunteers take pride in their work as they help to de-institutionalize dying. They can work in hospice centers or visit patients at home.

There are several different ways hospice volunteers can help the dying. One way is to visit with patients, bring them music, read to them, take them for walks when they can or simply just be there for them. Volunteers can also offer respite care to relieve family members who are keeping vigil by a loved one’s bedside or offer to run errands for spouses or other family of the dying. They can also provide child and pet care, do housework and whatever the family and patient need to ease the dying process. Hospice volunteers also provide bereavement support after the patient has passed away. They can help with funeral arrangements or even bring food for the families. There are so many things a hospice volunteer can do for the patients and families.

Hospice volunteers are a vital part of providing hospice care. The government requires that at least five percent of work hours be fulfilled by volunteers to receive federal funding.  Because of the extremely emotional aspect of helping people die, hospice volunteers are required to participate in an extensive training program. This training covers how to deal with dying patients and their families and also coping mechanisms for volunteers. Hospice volunteers become emotionally tied to their patients and the patient’s families and it is important that they receive regular counseling session to work through their own grief issues. For those willing to help volunteering for a hospice program can be very rewarding.

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Once you have chosen the right health careers volunteers opportunity the next step is applying and interviewing for the position. The process is a lot like applying and interviewing for a job. While your experience may not be a factor, your demeanor, attitude, professionalism and purpose are scrutinized to determine if you are the right fit for a particular position. Passion is important especially in healthcare. Caring for others not only requires a strong spirit and deep compassion it also requires a sense of purpose and need to contribute to the greater good. It may seem a little overzealous for working in the gift shop but remember; when you volunteer in healthcare in any capacity you are a key element in many lives, lives that have been altered by illness and recovery. As humans our vitality relies on our wellness. Every person within a particular healthcare setting plays an integral role in facilitating wellness. It is very important to remember this when you are applying and interviewing for a volunteer position.

Obtaining and filling out a volunteer application is the next step in the process. To obtain an application you can either visit the website or go to the facility or field office directly. It will look similar to a job application. There may be a section asking you why you want to be a volunteer. Honesty is important in this section. You do not want to project a false sincerity if all you really want to do is fill some credit hours. If you state your true intentions you will be more likely to succeed in your volunteer position. Not every healthcare volunteer needs to have an overwhelming desire to change the world. Remember to be honest. There may also be a section to fill in any relevant experience. This does not necessarily mean healthcare experience. Customer service experience and fluency in a foreign language qualify for this section. Also any other volunteer positions you have had would be an important addition. This shows that you are able to commit to a volunteer position.

After you turn in your application you might be contacted for a phone interview or they will ask you to come in for an in-person interview with the volunteer coordinator. Be honest in your interview. Do not agree to something you are not comfortable with. Also, don’t be discouraged if you are not asked to fill the volunteer position. Perhaps you weren’t a good fit for the position. There are many volunteer positions that desperately need to be filled. Try and try again

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Once you have made the decision to volunteer in healthcare the next task is finding the right place and volunteer position. Fortunately, there are hundreds of opportunities for volunteers in all facets of healthcare. The healthcare industry thrives on the compassionate work of those who choose to donate their time to helping others. To find the perfect opportunity you can begin with an Internet search or at your local healthcare facility. In most cases healthcare volunteeers experience is not necessary. However, there are some opportunities that require healthcare experience or education. Your local hospital or nursing home will have plenty positions available from assisting with direct patient care to working in the gift shop.

For those interested in working with patients directly nursing homes and hospitals frequently hire assist with daily needs. Tasks include assisting patients with eating, spending time with patients, passing water to patients, stocking rooms with supplies and other daily chores that are necessary to facilitate patient well-being. Other duties might include clerical tasks such as organizing file cabinets, answering phones, maintaining patient charts, making copies, filing medical records and other office type work. For those not interested in direct patient care working in the mailroom of a hospital, delivering flowers to patient’s rooms or working in the gift shop are all jobs that volunteers perform.

There are also plenty of opportunities available for those interested in more hands-on community centered volunteering. Working blood or bone marrow drives, assisting with community healthcare programs or volunteering at county health centers are all ways to give back to your community. If you are interested in larger scale healthcare volunteering organizations like The American Red Cross are always in need of help bringing their healthcare services to all areas of the country. On an even grander scale there are opportunities for those who wish to extend their helping hands to other countries. There are many programs that need volunteers in Africa and South America to assist in bringing health services to undeveloped countries.

Once you have decided which area of healthcare you would like to volunteer in you can contact your local healthcare facility or perform an internet search. Websites like www.healthcarevolunteers.com offer a free search for opportunities within the US and Canada. You can also contact your desired program directly through their website, www.redcross.org, for example.

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According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services American’s spent almost $800 million dollars on healthcare costs in 2007. In 2007 alone over 6.8 million Americans volunteered their time and eight percent of those 6.8 million volunteered in healthcare. Healthcare costs are rising and more healthcare companies are depending on volunteers to ease the burden of the increased expenses. Not only are volunteers vital to maintaining budgets they also play an important role in patient wellness.

Becoming a volunteer in healthcare can be an emotionally rewarding experience for those who choose to donate their time to help care for others. There are many different capacities that healthcare volunteers can serve in and many opportunities for those willing to give their time. Volunteering in healthcare facilities is an excellent way for high school students to earn credit and looks great on college applications.

For college students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare it can provide insight and first hand experience to help guide them onto the right career path. Retirees often enjoy volunteering in healthcare because of the social interaction and sense of purpose it provides. Anyone who is compassionate and has a genuine need to care for others would find volunteering in healthcare a wonderfully fulfilling experience.

Because there are so many different areas of healthcare that need volunteers researching your options before choosing an opportunity will ensure a good fit for you and the facility. There are opportunities for those interested in direct patient contact or for those who prefer the technical side of the industry.

Many facilities regard their volunteers as extended employees and therefore expect the same degree of professionalism as they do paid employees. However, there are certain liability limits as to what volunteers can do with direct patient care. If you have physical limitations to what you can do there are still plenty of volunteer opportunities for you. Healthcare facilities rely on their volunteer force to facilitate patient care and to help with the day-to-day operations. Volunteering for healthcare is an excellent way to give back to your community and offer those in need a friendly face and a kind word

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