Volunteers may visit a short-term patient once or twice or a longer term patient several times. Matches are also made with patients on long-term kidney dialysis. In this position volunteers assist outpatients who are receiving regular kidney dialysis. Duties include greeting patients, helping them get settled, providing them with companionship, and assisting staff with telephones and occasional light clerical tasks. Volunteers link families, staff, and patients receiving this high-tech treatment for kidney stones.
Volunteers distribute donated magazines to patients at their bedsides.
Patient care areas and family waiting lounges are covered by this service. Weekday mornings or afternoons. Sorting patient mail by floor and units, and locating patients who have moved within the hospital are also part of this role. Volunteers and staff who are native speakers or fluent in a language other than English serve as interpreters for patients. Spanish and Asian languages are needed frequently, and all others are needed for the Bank as well.