VA Hospital Volunteer Opportunities

[Vets for Vets, UW-Madison]

In addition to the volunteer opportunities Vets for Vets is organizing for members of the organization to volunteer together, there are additional activities you can volunteer for on an individual basis, if you would like.

 

Contact :

Mary J. Merlin
Community Relations Service Specialist
Wm. S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital
2500 Overlook Terrace
 Madison, WI 53705
[e-mail]
[phone]
Fax [phone]

 

AVAILABLE VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS (as of 10/6/11) 

Contact Mary for additional information on these assignments

 

AMBASSADOR/GREETER – Volunteers are beingrecruited to join our new Ambassador Program.  Volunteers will be stationed at the Main Entrance andwill assist visitors by providing directions and offering toaccompany them to their destination within the facility.  

 

ART/DESIGN ASSISTANT – Volunteer is being recruited toassist with design, content and maintenance of thebulletin boards outside of the Community RelationsService office.   

 

BARBER – Barber/hairstylist is needed to cut the hair ofVeteran inpatients.  Haircuts are provided in the patientrooms at the bedside and the volunteer must providetheir own tools.  Hair cuts will be free of charge to alleligible inpatients/residents and no tips will be accepted.   

 

CHAPLAIN’S OFFICE AIDE – The duties of this assignmentinclude greeting visitors and completing administrativetasks.  Computer knowledge is required.   

 

COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE ‐  Office Aide A greeter/office assistant is being recruited to handle tasks such asassisting with a variety of administrative tasks involvedwith managing the volunteer program.  An appropriatecandidate should be friendly, outgoing, patient, andwilling to assist others.  Experience with officeadministration and computer use is necessary.      

 

DATA GATHERER/OBSERVER – Infection Control/HandHygiene ‐  Volunteers are needed to assist in trackingdata regarding hand hygiene and infection controlpractices performed by hospital staff.  Duties includeobserving hospital staff in their work environment andrecording data on hand hygiene and infection control.   

 

DRIVERS – Our Volunteer Transportation Network isrecruiting for volunteer drivers to assist in transportingpatients to and from their medical appointments at theVA.  Drivers must be in good health, pass a physicalthrough VA Employee Health, have a current driver’slicense and auto insurance.  Drivers are needed forMadison and surrounding areas.  

 

FAMILY WAITING ROOM ATTENDANT – Assist Veteranswaiting for their procedure appointment.  Assist familymembers by providing information about hospitallocations nearby facilities and other requestedinformation.  Maintain contact with hospital staff toassist families with information on the status of theirloved one.   

 

INFORMATION DESK – CLC Entrance –The appointment ofa volunteer to this assignment is at the sole discretion ofthe Community Relations Staff.  Information Desk Aidewill provide an appropriate first impression of our hospitalto the public at our Information Desk.  Volunteers willgreet Veterans, staff and visitors and provide directionsand assistance as needed.  Our Community Living Center(CLC) is scheduled to open mid‐December.  A minimumcommitment of 6 months is required for this assignment.

 

PERFORMERS – Musical performers are needed forperformances at the hospital for the enjoyment of ourVeterans.  All performances are coordinated andscheduled through the Community Relations Service.  The Community Relations Service has final approval ordisapproval whether an act is appropriate for aperformance.  Performers will not be paid and will beregistered as occasional volunteers.   

 

INPATIENT UNIT AIDE – CLC – “Nurse Server” Supplies –Volunteers are being recruited to assist nursing staff inmaintaining the Nurse Server units in the CommunityLiving Center.  Assignment requirements include theability to stand/walk for approximately a 2‐hour periodand to reach up in order to fill the racks on the servers.  There may be some slight bending required.  OurCommunity Living Center (CLC) is scheduled to open mid‐December.     

 

TRANSPLANT OUTREACH ACTIVITY LEADER – Volunteersare needed to direct outreach activities for patients inour Transplant Program.  Duties include leading a groupactivity such as video journaling, meditation, healthycooking, etc. on a regular basis.  Supplies will beprovided, though donations of supplies are alsoaccepted.  An appropriate volunteer can successfullylead a group activity, has knowledge and experience inthe subject matter, and is willing to make a 12‐monthcommitment.  Most of these activities will be held off‐site, on the west side of Madison.