Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 42)

Results MOSTLY PURPLE MOSTLY BLUE Take a look at your point tally, and see where you best fit. You should consider volunteering at the front desk of a hospital. You’re friendly, outgoing and not afraid to interact with people, be it over the phone or in person. In this position, you’ll be the ﬁrst person people see when they come into the hospital. You’ll help direct them where they need to go, which is especially important when they arrive upset and confused. “Folks are often emotional when they arrive,” says Linda Van Fulpen, spokeswoman for the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. “They’re just grateful someone’s there to help them.” Some computer work is typically involved, so if your tech skills aren’t superb, be prepared to learn. You’d be perfect for a hospital gift shop. You’re no stranger to retail shops, and you’re known as an excellent gift-giver among your circle of friends. That’s why volunteering at the gift shop would be the perfect place for you to lend your talents. Be prepared to share your gift-giving advice, Van Fulpen says. “It’s a wide audience in the gift shop,” she says. Both visitors to the hospital and staff make use of the store. A retail background is helpful but not required. And you will be on your feet for a while. MOSTLY TEAL You should volunteer on a patient care floor of the hospital. Whether you’re a student or someone considering making a career change into a medical ﬁeld, volunteering on a patient care ﬂoor will give you a more up-close look into caring for others. “Some people are career-transitioning due to the recession,” Van Fulpen says. “They think, maybe they want to be a nurse or a radiology tech. This gives them interaction with patients but also shows them what staff does every day.” In this job, you may do everything from delivering ﬂowers to patients to playing cards with them, or you may be asked to escort families to the correct patient room. But be prepared to be a member of the team. “Our staff will rely on you,” Van Fulpen says. “It’s a very serious job.” MOSTLY GREEN Your skills would be an asset in an administrative position. A hospital’s ﬁrst priority is to make sure their patients are given top-quality care in a safe, secure environment. That’s why organization is essential, especially when it comes to the clerical side of things. Your background in the administrative arena could be used to help type, ﬁle, organize or otherwise provide assistance in one of the hospital’s many ofﬁces. Your local hospital may even be looking for help with its foundation. Though anyone can apply for this position, Van Fulpen says, “it’s great for students who are interested in marketing, communications or public health.” MOSTLY YELLOW You should inquire about being an at-home volunteer. Maybe your speciﬁc skill is knitting, or perhaps you’re a talented artist. Van Fulpen says some hospitals are looking for volunteers who can donate these skills in the form of tangible things the hospital might need. “We have volunteers who knit and crotchet baby hats at home for our newborns,” she says. You could involve your kids and make get-well cards and deliver them to the hospital. Or maybe you can help by ﬁlling envelopes, assembling new mom kits or making phone calls for the hospital foundation. Call your local hospital and see where your special talent may be best used. 42 Vim & Vigor · SP R I N G 2 012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Parrish Medical Center
Contents
Tasty Tips
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
In the Business of Healing People
What's New?
Get Real
How Far We’ve Come
Patient Survival Guide
Perfect Attendance
A New Day
Lean on Me
Intimidated by the Gym?
What Is Your Volunteer Style?
A Prescription for Relief
Community Health
Joe Knows Stress
SPECIAL: Caring for the Littlest Bones and Joints
Foundation Focus
Ask the Expert

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Parrish Medical Center