|

Listen: Podcast interview with Janie B. (.mp3/3 min.)
Memorial Health System depends on volunteers to provide assistance for their patients, families and hospital staff. Whether you are a retiree wanting to give back to the community, a working adult wishing to gain additional education/experience, a student hoping to fulfill a service requirement, or just have a simple desire to help others during your free time, there are a wide variety of opportunities at Memorial Health System.
Volunteer assignments at Memorial Health System can be in either patient-care areas or non-patient care areas. Volunteers can be on set (same time/day each week) or flexible schedules. All volunteers are carefully screened, processed, trained, and placed in appropriate assignments. This process includes completing a volunteer application (see below), attending a hospital volunteer orientation, interviewing individually with a volunteer services coordinator, providing a two-step TB (tuberculosis) skin test, and undergoing a criminal background check. The process for becoming a Memorial Health System volunteer takes time, but it is meant to ensure the safety of patients and families as well as the success of our volunteers.
Volunteers are an essential part of our health care system, performing a variety of services to help patients, visitors and staff. Being a volunteer is an experience of personal rewards, good friends and personal interaction. Your spirit and service are important to us, and we value your skills and knowledge.
Requirements for Volunteering
- Must be at least 14 years of age to apply
- Complete a volunteer application with two recommendation forms, one personal and one professional (one is required for Junior Volunteers - anyone other than a family member)
- Attend a hospital volunteer orientation (additional Parent Preview Meeting is required for Junior Volunteers)
- Provide a 2-step TB (tuberculosis) skin test
- Have a TB test administered at Employee Health. Return to Employee Health within 48-72 hours to obtain the results.
- Wait 1-3 weeks; return to Employee Health to have another TB test administered.
- Return to Employee Health within 48-72 hours to obtain those results.
- Turn both results into the Volunteer Services office to be placed in your file.
- Undergo a criminal background check (Adults volunteers only).
- Adhere to all MHS (Memorial Health System) policies, procedures and standards of performance.
Volunteer Assignments
Volunteers wishing to serve in a direct patient comfort position are required to attend a special training in most areas. Volunteers interested in indirect patient areas (i.e Gift Shop or clerical) will be trained on an individual basis.
Areas of current recruitment include:
- OPS (Out Patient Surgery)
- emergency department
- newborn hearing screening
- acute care rehab
- patient floor areas (one-to-one volunteer program-description below)
- pediatric playroom
- animal-assisted therapy (pet therapy)
- healing with music
- healing with massage (certification required)
- healing with art (certified therapist or background in art program)
- business processes (lean volunteer - description below)
- -
Program Descriptions
One-to-One Volunteer Program: assist staff in enhancing the patient experience during hospitalization by providing non-clinical support. Help patients as needed by providing mealtime assistance, companionship and special activities (playing cards, doing puzzles, playing comforting music etc.). Volunteers are assigned to patient care floors and work with a variety of adult patients and staff. Floor related tasks and duties are required as needed (stocking supplies, answering phones, making copies, etc.). This is a good area for volunteers looking for high interaction with patients. We are looking for individuals willing to a make a strong commitment to this program. There is a required a two part training series that must be completed before starting.
Lean Volunteer/Business Process Management: "Lean" Volunteers: assist in ongoing "lean" or process-improvement focused projects to transform the patient experience and system processes at Memorial Health System. Areas include: Statistics, Data, Spread-sheets/Macros, Engineering, Process Mapping, Observation, "5 Why" analysis, among others. Volunteers assist in various roles of their choice (i.e. gathering data, observing, using spreadsheets, etc.). Projects are centered upon analyzing the flow of information, patients and processes. Past experience not necessary - volunteers will receive all necessary training. Great opportunity to learn and apply skills!
Indirect patient care areas (when available) include:
- gift shop
- clerical areas
- waiting rooms
- book cart
- escorts
- -
Apply Now
Download the volunteer application form, fill it out completely, and return the signed form to the volunteer office.
» Go to: Adult and Junior Volunteer Online Application » Download:
- -
High School Students
If you are a high school senior interested in the career observation LearningLink program at Memorial, visit our LearningLink page.
» Go to: LearningLink
- -
Our Volunteer Offices
Main Office at Memorial Hospital Central 1400 E. Boulder Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80909 719-365-5298
North Office at Memorial Hospital North 4050 Briargate Pkwy. Colorado Springs, CO 80920 719-364-5298 |