Volunteer

Volunteer Services

Women & Infants Hospital welcomes volunteer involvement in almost every aspect of the hospital organization. Administrative offices for the Volunteer Services department are located at 300 Richmond Street. Our mailing address is: 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI 02905. Our telephone number is 401-274-1122 ext. 2255 and our fax number is 401-277-3711.

Volunteer opportunities include escorting and guiding patients and visitors, assisting in clinical and non-clinical areas such as the nursing units, supporting administrative functions and delivering patient mail. Positions are also available in research, business, finance and hospitality.

Ways Volunteers Support the Hospital

Volunteers participate in a number of activities which support Women & Infants' patient care mission of the hospital. There are different types of work in which volunteers are engaged. A member of the Volunteer Services Staff meets with each perspective volunteer to review current openings and discuss specific skills, tasks and schedules which are required of open positions. The following is an overview of some of our volunteer roles.

Visitor Liaison: Many areas involve volunteers in welcoming and assisting visitors as well as patients. Volunteers may be based at a specific unit (such as the NICU) or they might work as greeters in the main lobby. No matter where they are stationed, volunteers must be able to approach and communicate effectively with patients and visitors in order to accurately guide and assist them. Training and scheduling varies depending upon the particular work area.

“This is a happy place to work, with friendly people.”
Anne, Workroom Volunteer, 9 years

Clerical: Office support is essential in the healthcare setting, where communication and documentation are critical to providing quality service. For individuals who like to work with paper or office equipment, there are a variety of settings in which to work. Some people prefer a smaller office setting where others might assist at a nurse's station or reception area. Essential to success in a clerical assignment, volunteers must be well organized and detail oriented. Those in contact with patients also will need to provide customer service.

“I wanted to broaden my horizons while sharpening the skills I have acquired.”
Bob, Health Education Department, 1 year
 

Patient Care Units: Volunteers work with patient care staff, providing a variety of tasks, depending on their schedules and the units on which they are assigned. Some help the nursing staff with transportation, errand running and non medical patient assistance. Other volunteers may work on special projects or bring activities and companionship to our patients staying for more involved medical care. Excellent interpersonal skills are required on patient care units, as a diverse group of staff, patients and visitors are working together to meet very specific objectives. It is helpful to be bilingual in areas with patient and visitor contact.

 ”I love being able to help the nurses out. They are always so busy…I look forward to Wednesdays knowing I can be of help. Everyone at Women & Infants  is so wonderful.”
Roberta, 4^th Floor,

No matter what areas you may volunteer in, it is essential that our yolunteers take pride in their volunteer work and meet the time commitment agreed upon, work effectively with other staff and volunteers, present a positive attitude through their actions and, most importantly, focus on the customers they serve- be they patients, visitors or coworkers. As a member of the hospital family, our volunteers, too need to uphold our standards of performance:

• Service
• Teamwork
• Attitude
• Responsibility

our STAR Standards!

LEARN ABOUT THE PROGRAM - Contact Volunteer Services at 401-274-1122 ext.2255.