Faulkner Hospital- Volunteer

Volunteers Photo, Description, Opportunities and Contact Information

Photo:	Volunteer Anna Delegas prepares to transfer a patient in the Brigham and Women's/Faulkner Transfusion Unit.	Volunteers June David and Maria DeVincenzo are all smiles while working in the Faulkner gift shop. Volunteers Jennifer Garcia and Melissa Calabro man the Faulkner Hospital first floor information desk.
	Volunteer Carol Mckenna (seated) takes a break from greeting people at the Faulkner information desk to pose with Rose Shortt, RN, Director of Patient Relations and Volunteer Services.	Volunteer concierge John Matson stands ready to assist patients in front of a Faulkner directory.



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Our Volunteer Community:		Volunteers at Faulkner Hospital are a varied group with a long tradition of excellence. Faulkner volunteers are known for their loyalty to their work and to each other, forming lasting, supportive relationships. Some volunteers come every day, others 2-3 days a week. People who volunteer take away from their experience as much as they give. We are fortunate to have over 100 committed individuals representative of our community involved in our volunteer program. Students, teenagers, retirees, professionals and homemakers all volunteer at Faulkner. Each serves in an area that matches his or her talents, interests or experience. We celebrate diversity and embrace young people as well as those into their eighties (or beyond) who would like to enrich their lives by giving several hours of their time to their community. Our Volunteer Program has formed partnerships with Boston area organizations to provide opportunities for volunteerism at Faulkner Hospital. These organizations include the City of Boston, the R.S.V.P. Program and many local high schools.



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Description of Program Benefits:

Perhaps one of the greatest overall benefits of volunteerism is the pride and satisfaction that volunteers gain, knowing that by sharing their time they have contributed to their community hospital and the lives of others in a lasting and meaningful way. There are many reasons people choose to volunteer.

Our Junior Volunteer Program gives students the opportunity to get a first hand view of a quality health care facility as they consider their future careers. They may volunteer to gain experience needed to complete a degree or certification program. Young people may gain work experience that will translate into a valuable resume or application credential or source for a future job reference. Volunteering at Faulkner is also a great way to fulfill community service requirements or commitments.

Volunteers at Faulkner Hospital receive free parking, free meals and participate in various events throughout the year, including the Recognition Luncheon and Volunteer Week.



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Volunteer Opportunities:

At Faulkner, we make an effort to find or create opportunities to match a person's interests to ensure a mutually beneficial experience. Some people enjoy working in direct contact with patients while others prefer behind-the-scenes projects. Volunteers work throughout the hospital including in the Emergency Room, Food Services, Patient/Family Resource Center, Information Desks, inpatient units, the Gift Shop and more. Some examples of volunteer assignments include:

		Rounding on inpatient units provides a specific channel through which patients and their families may communicate special needs, concerns, suggestions or compliments. Rounders receive special training to work in conjunction with Patient Relations and Patient Family Resource Center staff to identify educational needs and to relay important information to the appropriate staff members. With a focus on improving the patient experience, this role is essential for maintaining an open discussion with our patients, and ensuring that they enjoy a satisfactory hospital stay. Performing medical database searching to give information to our patients and families. Potential volunteers should enjoy helping others and assisting patients with online health searches to find information about an illness, procedure, treatment or other health-related information.

		Providing assistance at the Information Desks. Every day hundreds of people enter the hospital and need assistance locating their destination. Still more patients or families call seeking information such as assistance with directions or hospital services.

		Offering clerical or administrative support: Many departments utilize volunteers to assist with a variety of routine clerical tasks or to assist in the timely completion of special project work.



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From the Director:

Faulkner Hospital enjoys a long history of community service - both by bringing health screenings and preventive health education programs to the community's schools, elderly and underserved, as well as by welcoming those who wish to support their community hospital through volunteerism.

As a community teaching hospital, our world revolves around our patients and their families who depend on the excellent medical care, commitment to quality and personal attention they have come to expect from us. The friendly and supportive environment that our patients appreciate also makes Faulkner Hospital a rewarding place to work or volunteer.

Our Volunteer Program and every one of our 100 volunteers is a highly valued asset that makes a difference in how we deliver care to the thousands of people we serve each year.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a volunteer at Faulkner Hospital, I encourage you to call me at your convenience. I would be happy to give you a personal tour, introduce you to some of our volunteers and answer any questions you may have.

Rosemarie Shortt, RN
Director of Patient Relations and Volunteer Services



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Contact Information:

For more information on the volunteer program, or to become a volunteer, please call Susan Frost, Volunteer Coordinator, at 617-983-7424.

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