Volunteer Services

Women & Infants Hospital welcomes volunteer involvement in areas of the hospital where they can support customer service initiatives and busy healthcare staff. Current needs and priorities reflect those of a large and dynamic healthcare 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 and supporting administrative functions.

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 Ambassadors: The hospital visit can be an overwhelming experience to people who are unfamiliar with the facility. Volunteers serve to support our patients, family members and visitors alike, providing an escort or assistance in locating areas throughout the hospital. All our Ambassador volunteers must be able to approach and communicate effectively with patients and visitors in order to accurately guide and assist them. Successful candidate must be able to stand and walk for at least 3 hours and push up to 300 pounds in a wheelchair. Shifts are early and late afternoon. Training will be provided.

"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

Other volunteers may bring activities and companionship to our patients staying for more involved medical care. Excellent interpersonal skills are required on all patient care units, as a diverse group of staff, patients and visitors are working together to meet very specific objectives.

Candidates must be able to stand and walk for at least 3 hours and push up to 300 pounds in a wheelchair. Shifts are between 11-3pm (or 10-4pm). Training will be provided.

"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 volunteers 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.