Available Day/Times:

 

Volunteer Pet Owner

Volunteer Description & Responsibilities

 

Volunteers will have direct patient contact

Job Description: 

Pet Therapy is a unique opportunity for normalization for patients and their families to interact with an animal.  Pet owners of certified therapy dogs are accepted into the Child Life Pet Therapy Program following a thorough screening done by the pet therapy coordinator(s).  Volunteer Pet Owners will be escorted by Pet Therapy Escort Volunteers or a JHACH staff member to ensure that visits occur only with appropriate patients that have been identified by the Child Life Department, Nursing or other specified discipline.

Hours: 

Volunteers will be required to commit to a visit (generally lasting 1.5 – 2 hours) at least twice per month and up to every other week.

Ongoing Responsibilities:

The owner of the Therapy Pet Must be eighteen years of age or older and be established as a hospital volunteer.

All animals must be certified through a recognized and approved Therapy Animal organization such as: Pet Partners, Alliance of Therapy Dogs and Project Pup.

 

All Pets must be current with required veterinarian exams and immunizations as required by the Pet Therapy organization and provide the hospital with a copy verifying such. 

The Volunteer Owner will provide proof of their liability policy and coverage.

Volunteer Owners will have one pet per handler per visit.

Pets must be bathed within 24 hours prior to the visit.

The Volunteer Owner and pet must be wearing approved attire for the volunteer department and identification during all visits.

The Therapy pet will wear a bandana or Id Badge identifying them as a Therapy Pet. (Waived for Facility Animals wearing organization vest)

Animals must be on a leash/lead and/or under the volunteer Owner’s control at all times.

Volunteer Owners are responsible for cleaning up any elimination mishaps that occur inside or outside the hospital.  Be prepared to remove any solid waste and dispose of it properly.

Pet visits will take place in identified patient rooms as well as other locations such as the Activity Center, Playroom, Child Development Rehabilitation Center and private offices per directions from Child Life. 

Orientation and Training:

Volunteers will complete a general orientation conducted by Volunteer Services, which includes Service Excellence, Infection Control, Safety, Confidentiality, volunteer policies and procedures, and health screening prior to commencing their volunteer assignment.

 

Complete an annual In-service review.

 

Cross training in other service areas is encouraged for those who wish to be knowledgeable about the hospital and who might be available to substitute in other areas.

 

Volunteers receive area specific training.

 

Patient Contact:

Yes

 

18 years and older ONLY. To keep the company of the patients in the Child Life Unit and interact/play with them

 

ESSENTIAL VOLUNTEER FUNCTIONS:

 

• Follow patient assignment list during shift focusing on priority patients and special requests given by the Child Life Specialist.
• Communicate with the Child Life Specialist to determine if the unit activity cart should to be taken around to each room.
• On arrival to room, determine if it is a good time to work with patient. (i.e. If patient is speaking with the physician, please check back at a later time when the patient is available to interact.)
• Provide 1:1 interactions to patients in isolation. This includes strict adherence to isolation signs in order to ensure the safety of all.
• Be able to choose and provide age appropriate activities to patients.
• Help provide a safe and nurturing environment for patients to play and explore by helping clean toys and playrooms and putting away clean toys.
• Provide parents the opportunity to take a break.
• Hand out decorated linen items (pillows, blankets & pillowcases).
• Help bring patients to group activities in the playrooms, when appropriate.
• Provide feedback to Child Life Specialist on patient interactions at the end of shift.
• When questions or concerns arise, volunteers should ask the Child Life Specialist or bedside nurse. 
• Adapt to the changing needs of the patients and the patient unit.
• Follow volunteer policies at all times.

 

 

 

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING:

 

Volunteers will complete a general orientation conducted by Volunteer Services, which includes Service Excellence, Infection Control, Safety, Confidentiality, volunteer policies and procedures, and health screening prior to commencing their volunteer assignment.

 

Complete an annual review of orientation materials.

 

Volunteers will attend a group orientation and then receive area-specific training and a tour with the Child Life Techs.

 

Cross training in other service areas is encouraged for those who wish to be knowledgeable about the hospital and who might be available to substitute in other areas.

 

           

REQUIREMENTS:

 

Must have good judgment and ability to interact and play with patients and make them comfortable and happy

 

DAYS AND TIMES:

 

 Monday – Saturday / 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. / 3-4 hours per week

 

PATIENT CONTACT:

 

            Yes

VOLUNTEER SERVICE DESCRIPTION:

 

Be an aid to RJ’s Activity Center, helping with various responsibilities, playing with the children, and overseeing that the Activity Center runs smoothly.

 

JOB AND UNIT DESCRIPTION

 

RJ’s Activity Center is a space facilitated by volunteers and Child Life Staff. The Activity Center welcomes inpatients, outpatients, and family members of all ages to have fun, socialize, and relax. Children under the age of 5 are required to be accompanied by an adult. The Activity Center provides a variety of activities including video games, basketball, pool, arts and crafts, board games, dramatic play, and more. The Activity Center also hosts many special visitors and events throughout the year. Activity Center volunteers’ main responsibility is to engage and play with patients and families. Volunteers should be mobile and able to reach into cabinets, get on the floor with children, pick up toys/supplies, etc. While creativity and video game experience is not a requirement, those who have an interest/background in the arts or gaming are strongly encouraged.

 

ESSENTIAL VOLUNTEER FUNCTIONS:

 

-       Clean the toys and equipment at the beginning and end of each shift.

-       Greet patients and families when they arrive and invite them to do various activities with you.

-       Invite patients and families from the inpatient and outpatient units to come play in the Activity Center.

-       Assist with transporting patients to and from their rooms.

-       Feel comfortable transporting patients with IV poles and/or wheelchairs.

-       Engage with patients and families in the Activity Center. Play games, create art projects, or just play pretend with the patients and families.

-       When questions or concerns arise, volunteers should ask the Child Life staff.

-       Adapt to the changing needs of the patients and families.

-       Follow volunteer policies at all times.

 

  

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING:

 

Volunteers will complete a general orientation conducted by Volunteer Services, which includes Service Excellence, Infection Control, Safety, Confidentiality, volunteer policies and procedures, and health screening prior to commencing their volunteer assignment.

 

            Complete an annual review of orientation materials.

 

  Volunteers will attend a group oreintation and then receive area-specific training and a tour with the Child Life Techs.

 

 

REQUIREMENTS:

 

Ability to interact with patient, assist in transporting patients and engage with patients and families.

Follows directions carefully and adapt to situations and needs of patients

 

DAYS AND TIMES:

 

Saturdays and Sundays: 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Mondays through Fridays: 10:00am to 12:00pm, 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

 

PATIENT CONTACT:

 

            Yes

Pet Therapy Escort Volunteer

Volunteer Description & Responsibilities

 

Volunteers will have direct patient contact

Job Description:  Pet Therapy is a unique opportunity for normalization for families to interact with an animal.  Pet Therapy Escort Volunteers will be utilized to act as consistent escorts for the schedule pet therapy with the Volunteer Pet Owner and the pet throughout the hospital.

Hours:  Volunteers will be required to commit to a visit (generally lasting 1.5 – 2 hours) at least twice per month and up to every other week. 

Ongoing Responsibilities

-The Escort Volunteer will escort the Volunteer Owner and Therapy Pet during the entire visit in the hospital.

-Before entering an elevator with the therapy pet, the escort will ask any occupants if they object to the pet being on the elevator.  If there is a concern, the team will wait for the next elevator.

-The Escort Volunteer will be provided a census containing the patient name, room number and age for all patients who are permitted a pet visit.

-Pet visits will take place in identified patient rooms as well as other locations such as the Activity Center, rooftop play area, Child Development Rehabilitation Center and private offices per directions from Child Life.

-For Pet Therapy with Dogs: The Escort Volunteer will indicate with a check mark, on the Pet Therapy approved Patient List, all patients who received a pet visit that day.  This list will be turned into the Child Life Department prior to leaving that day.

-For Pet Therapy with Dogs: Before entering an approved patient room, the Escort Volunteer will knock and ask the patient/family if it is a good time for a visit.  Be aware of physicians, nurses or other therapy staff who are working with the patient and offer to return later during the visit if necessary and possible.

-For Pet Therapy with Dogs: A clean sheet and protective barrier will be placed on the bed, chair, or patient lap prior to an animal being placed on the bed, chair or patient lap.  The sheet will be removed by the Escort Volunteer and placed in the soiled linen bin at the end of the pet visit.

-The escort Volunteer must assure that the patient washes his/her hands prior to and following the pet visit.

-If the animal rides the cart, the soiled linen on the cart will be removed by the Volunteer Escort at the last room scheduled for a visit and deposited in the soiled linen bin in that patient’s room. 

-The Escort Volunteer will place the patient list from that day’s visit will be placed in the accordion file folder (located with the pet therapy supplies above the pet therapy supplies) under the corresponding month. 

 Orientation and Training:

Volunteers will complete a general orientation conducted by Volunteer Services, which includes Service Excellence, Infection Control, Safety, Confidentiality, volunteer policies and procedures, and health screening prior to commencing their volunteer assignment.

 

Complete an annual In-service review.

 

Cross training in other service areas is encouraged for those who wish to be knowledgeable about the hospital and who might be available to substitute in other areas.

 

Volunteers receive area specific training.

 

Patient Contact:

Yes

 

LOBBY MUSICIANS:

 

Job Description:

Lobby music volunteers play the piano or another instrument in the main hospital lobby to provide entertaining music for visitors and families visiting.  Interested volunteers must be able to work independently and follow instructions given by the Music Therapist.   

 

Ongoing Responsibilities:

1)      Be independent in playing music without direction.

2)      Maintain equipment as necessary.

3)      Be responsible for any instrument set up/take down.

4)      Be able to choose and provide age appropriate music to patients.

5)      Know and learn a few current/popular songs.

6)      Engage in interactions with patients and families appropriately, such as smiling, responding to greetings and/or compliments of music, answering questions, etc.

7)      Adhere to the scheduled time for playing or notify music therapist of any changes.

8)      Follow volunteer policies at all times.

 

BEDSIDE MUSICIANS:

 

Job Description:

Bedside music volunteers will have the opportunity to work in many units of the hospital including the medical units, intensive care units, and the hematology/oncology unit.  Volunteers will be asked to provide music entertainment, musical support, and music play activities at bedside.

 

Ongoing Responsibilities:

1)    Follow patient assignment list during shift focusing on priority patients and special requests given by the Music Therapist.

2)    On arrival to room, determine if it is a good time to work with patient. (i.e. If patient is speaking with the physician, please check back at a later time when the patient is available to interact.)

3)    Provide 1:1 interactions to patients in isolation. This includes strict adherence to isolation signs in order to ensure the safety of all.

4)    Be able to choose and provide age appropriate music to patients.

5)    Know and learn a few current/popular songs.

6)    Help bring patients to music group and help facilitate.

7)    Clean instruments under appropriate infection prevention protocols after each patient use.

8)    Aid the music therapist with non-patient care services, such as instrument maintenance, managing music library, organizing music donations, etc.

9)    Provide feedback to Music Therapist on patient interactions at the end of shift.

10)  When questions or concerns arise, volunteers should ask the Music Therapist or bedside nurse. 

11) Adapt to the changing needs of the patients and the patient unit.

 

Hours:

Volunteers will be required to commit to 2-4 hours per week (same time each week) for a minimum of 6 months. Volunteer shifts are between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday. This schedule will be determined by the Music Therapist.

 

Requirements:

Must have good judgment and ability to interact and play with patients and make them comfortable and happy.

Must be proficient on the instrument being played.  Formal lessons are preferred but not required. 

Must be willing to be observed by the music therapist periodically and receive feedback regarding role as a music volunteer.

 

Orientation and Training:

 

Volunteers will complete a general orientation conducted by Volunteer Services, which includes Service Excellence, Infection Control, Safety, Confidentiality, volunteer policies and procedures, and health screening prior to commencing their volunteer assignment.

 

Complete an annual In-service review.

 

Cross training in other service areas is encouraged for those who wish to be knowledgeable about the hospital and who might be available to substitute in other areas.

 

Volunteers receive area specific training.

 

Patient Contact:

Yes