Volunteer Services

Our volunteers are special people who have important roles at Milford Hospital. They come from dozens of local communities, and add an extra special dimension of care and comfort for the thousands of people who turn to Milford Hospital for their care. Patients come to Milford Hospital because they are not well, and a pleasant, positive volunteer may bring a smile to the face of someone going through a difficult time. They make a difference, whether they are assisting a department with a program, or assisting a lost family member in the hallway.

Each year more than 500 volunteers contribute more than 50,000 hours to support the hospital’s patients and visitors. Our volunteer program is open to those aged 14 and older (we’ve even had volunteers in their 90’s!) and who are able to commit a minimum of 2 hours per week.

Who are our Volunteers? And why?
Our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, but share a common desire to serve the community. They are professionals, retired professionals, former patients, teen-agers, homemakers, college students and many others. They tell us they volunteer because it keeps them active, they meet other interesting people and they wish to help others at a time when they can.

Volunteer Opportunities for adults and/or college students.
There are about 40 areas in which volunteers are placed, and assignments range from interacting directly with patients to positions with little or no patient contact. Volunteer placement is made based upon the specific interests, skills and availability of each prospective volunteer and the needs of the hospital.

A few extras for volunteers
Milford Hospital appreciates its volunteers! We strive to make each volunteers experience a positive one. We are easy to find, located in a nice suburban community, and parking is ample and free. In addition to the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction our volunteers feel, we offer opportunities for personal development, education and socialization. As “insiders,” volunteers can take advantage of our tax-free gift shop for their personal gifts, sign up for a variety of health screening programs, visit our internal book sales, and even use our on-site medical library. Additionally, some volunteers are eligible for a free meal coupon when they are “on-duty.”

To recognize their important service, each April we celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteer Week with an off-site awards banquet.

Training & Placement
All volunteers must complete an orientation of the hospital, and will be fully trained before they assume any role at the hospital. Based on their interests and time available, they may even wish to change jobs at a later date. We know that volunteers help because they want to, not because they have to.

Here is a sample of volunteer opportunities that may be available:

Patient and Visitor Information:
Work side by side with our Information Desk staff, volunteers greet visitors, provide information, passes and answer patient information phones.

Patient Representative:
Visit hospital patients and provide information on hospital and volunteer services. Also, assist with patient requests or concerns.

Escort Services:
Escort patients and visitors to various locations, and provide wheelchair service for discharged patients.

Emergency and Walk-In Center:
Volunteer receptionists meet and greet patients and assist them with registration.

Gift Shop:
Work as a sales person in the Auxiliary’s hospital gift shop in the main lobby

Nursery School Program:
Provide hospital and health education program to Nursery School aged children. (Seasonal)

Refreshment Service:
Offer evening refreshments to hospital patients.

SurgiCenter:
Volunteers act as a liaison between staff, patient and family members.

Tender Touch & Reiki:
Provide gentle hand and foot massages or Reiki relaxation to patients. (Special training is provided)

Clerical Assignments:
Provide clerical support to various hospital departments and patient units. Tasks may include filing, typing, data entry and answering the phone.
 

Junior Volunteer Program:
Junior Volunteers are 15 to 18. They must be in the 9^th grade or over and must be able to commit a minimum of 50 hours of service within a one-year period.

Junior Volunteers are recruited for our fall/winter/spring program on an as-needed basis as positions are very limited. We maintain a waiting list for our summer program. The program is an excellent opportunity for youth interested in learning more about the healthcare field, and in fact many have gone to become therapists, nurses and physicians. Positions are varied and include patient contact areas.

Junior Volunteer placements include:

• Nursing Unit Assistants: perform a variety of duties including discharging patients, running errands, stocking supplies, clerical duties, making beds, delivering meal trays, filling water pitchers and more.

• Patient Transportation: Stationed in Diagnostic Imaging, Junior Volunteers transport patients via wheelchair between locations in the hospital. Requires the ability to relate well to different types of people.

• Enchanted Window Gift Shop: Volunteers assist with customer service and sales in our Gift Shop. Will also help with pricing, stocking merchandise and keeping shop tidy. Must be 16 years old.

• Messenger: Makes continuous predetermined rounds to collect and distribute interdepartmental mail and laboratory specimens to departments and nursing units. Students must possess the ability to use good judgment and work independently with little supervision.

• Emergency Center: Assist staff with a variety of duties including stocking supplies, making beds, rounding on patients, interdepartmental deliveries, assisting visitors.

• Escort: Escort visitors from main lobby to other hospital locations, sometimes offering a wheelchair. Deliver newspapers, flowers, etc. to patient rooms. Must be outgoing and able to interact with many types of people. Very limited openings.

• Pharmacy Assistant: Positions may be available in our Pharmacy. Volunteers will assist with clerical and courier responsibilities. Restocking and tagging.

Summer Junior Volunteer Program

There are limited openings in our Summer Junior Volunteer Program. Interested students, aged 15 and older, should contact the Volunteer Office at 876-4062 to be placed on the waiting list. Applications will be accepted for these openings until May. At that time applications will be mailed to the potential juniors home. The student will then call the volunteer office for an Interview. All accepted junior volunteers must attend an June orientation and training.

How do I become a Volunteer?
Volunteer Services is open 8 am to 5 pm weekdays.

• Call the Volunteer Services Office at (203) 876-4062 to request a volunteer information packet;
• Return the completed application;
• Attend a required volunteer orientation session;
• Schedule and attend an interview with the Volunteer Services Office staff.

For further information:
E-mail us: Karen.Kipfer@milfordhospital.org or Christine.Brown@milfordhospital.org
Telephone: (203) 876-4061 or (203) 876-4062