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| Vol. 23, No. 6 |
| April 15, 2001 |
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Ready ... Set ... VOLUNTEER! Memorial Hermann and Memorial Hermann Children's Hospitals' volunteer office has a philosophy about volunteering - calling it an "encyclopedic" opportunity. "I call this an encyclopedic volunteer opportunity. We have everything in this hospital," said Marsha Weiss, director of volunteer services. "Basically, volunteers can end up making their own assignments here. But that's only after we know them really well. The two worst things you can do to discourage a volunteer is waste their time, especially those coming into the Texas Medical Center, or don't train them adequately, where they don't feel comfortable." Memorial Hermann is glad to have volunteers whenever they are available. The volunteer office inquires about a potential volunteer's schedule to best assess when and where the volunteer can be best utilized. More shifts are readily available during the day, Monday through Friday. But weekend volunteers are always welcome. "Weekend volunteers staff information desks, and they stay very, very busy. It's not quite as simple as it sounds. The desks are located in the Emergency Center and the LifeFlight Critical Care Waiting Room," Weiss said. If an individual is interested in becoming a volunteer, Memorial Hermann's volunteer services office recommends they join the Supplemental Paths Program, which provides new volunteers with an orientation to various units and departments at Memorial Hermann and Memorial Hermann Children's Hospitals, and acquaints them with Volunteer Services' policies and procedures. "We tell prospective volunteers that they need to come to an introduction, which normally takes place once a month, at 2:30 and 5:00 p.m. That way, all people interested can be accommodated," Weiss said. Hermann Volunteer Services requests that volunteers spend anywhere from 16 to 50 hours training in the Supplemental Paths Program. By participating in the program, volunteers are empowered, and feel comfortable enough to know their way around. "This is a good way to introduce people to what Hermann has to offer, and make them more informed, better prepared volunteers," Weiss said. Supplemental Paths summer 2001 introduction times are: Introduction
Orientation training for Memorial Hermann volunteers is flexible. Once a volunteer has been through the introduction, they can complete the orientation at any time. During the orientation, volunteers are trained in areas such as basic infection control, patient privacy, and age-specific competencies. Supplemental Paths summer 2001 orientation times are: Orientation
For teens interested in volunteering, Memorial Hermann is expanding from a summer program to a year-round program. Students must be at least 15-years old. If school schedules allow, they can attend one of the required introduction and orientation sessions, and get started before the end of the school year. As well as paying for a tuberculosis test, which each volunteer is required to take, Memorial Hermann grants volunteers access to free parking. Volunteers are also eligible for a discount in the hospital cafeteria and gift shop. Free flu shots are provided yearly. Seminars, lectures and classes are often available to volunteers, allowing them to enhance their personal lives, as well as their ability to volunteer. Volunteer Services, upon request, will provide a written letter of recommendation for all volunteers who serve a minimum of 100 hours. Other Volunteer Programs at Memorial Hermann include: Guiding Light Volunteers Guiding Light Volunteers is a visitor advocate program. Volunteers staff information desks in the new Hermann Pavilion or in other heavily trafficked areas, where they provide visitors with directions to clinics, patient rooms, and other parts of the hospital. Shifts are available Monday through Sunday, from 5 to 9 p.m., or any four-hour shift from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Parking is free, and a $3.75 meal allocation is provided. A six-month commitment is requested, and training is provided. Healing Environment - Music Matters Volunteers The goal of a Healing Environment is to create physical surroundings that are psychologically supportive. Stress accompanies illness, and often impacts patients, families and caregivers. Music creates a positive distraction to the physical surroundings of the hospital. Individuals are needed to play violin, guitar, flute, or cello in the Medical Intensive Care Unit, the Shock Trauma Intensive Care Unit, and the Neurological Critical Care Unit. Days and times are flexible and can be arranged according to a volunteer's schedule. Children's Library Volunteers ensure that the library is open and available for use by patients, siblings and other family members. Responsibilities include taking the book cart to patients who are too ill to visit the library and offering to read stories to individuals or groups. Extensive training is provided. Shifts are available Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon, and noon to 3 p.m. Parking is available for volunteers during their volunteer shift times in the Hermann Parking Garage, located at 6414 Fannin St., across the street from the hospital. For more information on these and other volunteer programs offered by Memorial Hermann's Volunteer Services, call (713) 704-4141.
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