When Volunteering at a Hospital
Volunteering at a hospital plays an important role in the healing of patients and assisting their families. Serving others is a special gift and hospitals are searching for those who will serve patients in all areas. Volunteering provides the meaningful and rewarding sense of serving others and the community.All hospitals and institutions have rules and regulations primarily to protect the patients and the staff. HIPAA The Health Portability and Accountability Act was enacted by Congress in 1996 to protect patient information. You will receive a HIPAA breifing before you start volunteering.
1. Remember the patient’s needs and agenda is paramount, when visiting a patient remember their room is like their home, they can accept your visit or decline. Don’t be offended if a patient say’s they don’t want a visit. The patient may accept a visit but decline prayer or reading material THAT is their right.
2. Do not prosletyse! Your primary purpose is to listen to the patient and offer prayer if they accept it. If they decide they want to discuss matters of faith then proceed with calm patience. Never argue religious beliefs with a patient.
3. If the patient in question of of a faith different than yours don’t ignore that patient, offer a smile and the same warmth you would anyone else.
4. If the patient doesn’t speak English try and find a Chaplain of volunteer that may speak their language. We may have literature or Bibles in their language.
5. Never interfere with a doctor or nurse’s duties! If a doctor comes in to speak to a patient excuse yourself and offer to return later. Doctors are spread thin and have to visit a lot of patients. The doctor and or the patient may not feel comfortable with you (a stranger) standing there (Remember HIPAA)
6. If there is a code quickly step aside and stay out of the medical staff’s way.
7. Always introduce yourself at the nurses desk before you visit patient(s), this prevents embarrassing situations later on, like someone challenging your presence. Don’t be offended if someone asks to see your badge or ask who you are. Remember you may only come there one day a week, the staff may not recognize you.
8. Become familiar with the codes on your badge
9. Sometimes the staff especially in the Emergency Room and Trauma may be very busy and not overly talkative, remember they are in the business of saving lives and are usually under a lot of stress themselves. They need our support and prayers as do the patients.
10. Before starting your shift check with the pastoral care office and see where you are best needed.
1. Remember the patient’s needs and agenda is paramount, when visiting a patient remember their room is like their home, they can accept your visit or decline. Don’t be offended if a patient say’s they don’t want a visit. The patient may accept a visit but decline prayer or reading material THAT is their right.
2. Do not prosletyse! Your primary purpose is to listen to the patient and offer prayer if they accept it. If they decide they want to discuss matters of faith then proceed with calm patience. Never argue religious beliefs with a patient.
3. If the patient in question of of a faith different than yours don’t ignore that patient, offer a smile and the same warmth you would anyone else.
4. If the patient doesn’t speak English try and find a Chaplain of volunteer that may speak their language. We may have literature or Bibles in their language.
5. Never interfere with a doctor or nurse’s duties! If a doctor comes in to speak to a patient excuse yourself and offer to return later. Doctors are spread thin and have to visit a lot of patients. The doctor and or the patient may not feel comfortable with you (a stranger) standing there (Remember HIPAA)
6. If there is a code quickly step aside and stay out of the medical staff’s way.
7. Always introduce yourself at the nurses desk before you visit patient(s), this prevents embarrassing situations later on, like someone challenging your presence. Don’t be offended if someone asks to see your badge or ask who you are. Remember you may only come there one day a week, the staff may not recognize you.
8. Become familiar with the codes on your badge
9. Sometimes the staff especially in the Emergency Room and Trauma may be very busy and not overly talkative, remember they are in the business of saving lives and are usually under a lot of stress themselves. They need our support and prayers as do the patients.
10. Before starting your shift check with the pastoral care office and see where you are best needed.
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