National Volunteer Week, April 7 to April 13, 2019, is an opportunity to celebrate Cooper University Health Care’s volunteers for the many services they provide and the impact they have on our patients and the community. Each year, we shine a light on the people that inspire us to serve, recognizing and thanking volunteers who lend their time, talent, energy, and voice to make a difference at Cooper. Please take a moment to thank our wonderful volunteers for the integral role they play in advancing patient satisfaction and quality of care.
The process to become a volunteer:
Interviews
Prospective volunteers must make an appointment for a personal interview with the Director of Volunteers or the Volunteer Coordinator. In this interview, candidates discuss their needs and those of the hospital. Once the candidate has been matched with a suitable position, a discussion will take place regarding time commitment and job duties.
Volunteer Training
All volunteers will participate in an orientation program. On-the-job training is provided by Cooper staff or by other volunteers. In addition to verbal instructions, departments and services have written job descriptions to help define the volunteers’ duties.
Cooper volunteers contribute their skills to more than 50 different assignments. Here is just a sampling of their varied service responsibilities throughout the hospital:
- Welcoming and escorting new patients to their rooms.
- Transporting patients to and from testing areas; and after discharge.
- Assisting patients in various hospital departments and on nursing floors.
- Bringing a selection of books, magazines, and gift items to the patients at their bedside.
- Providing information and assistance to visitors at the Information Desk.
- Assisting pediatric patients with recreational play and education through the Child Life Program.
- Assisting with fall prevention by keeping patients areas safe and educating patients about the importance of a safe environment.
- Assisting the Department of Radiology with front desk and file room needs.
- Serving as a communications link between the nursing staff and the families of surgery patients in the surgical waiting room.
- Typing, filing, photocopying, collating, and other clerical work.
- Sorting, marking, packaging, and delivering supplies.
- Assisting in staff mailings.
- Answering telephones.
- Running errands and delivering small packages.
Cooper volunteers make a difference!