Volunteering!

"Service to others is the payment you make for your space here on earth."
Mohammed Ali

Experience

With such a tight economy, applicants must separate themselves from the rest of the stack (often it is a huuuuuge stack) with that little extra. In spite of the necessary advantage, you may find yourself unintentionally enjoying your volunteer experience and learning a lot more than you thought you would. Also, if this is your first foray into the medical field, feeling comfortable with the terms, environment, and etiquette is priceless. Even if you cannot find a job as an Emergency Medical Technician, you can still provide patient care and support to your community.

Alvarado Hospital

The application process is easy and quick. The staff are very friendly and appreciate the help. Volunteering in the ER will give you experience that nothing else will. While the scope of practice for volunteers is limited, the staff enjoy contributing to your ongoing medical education when patients consent to your oversight. Also, most other hospitals would have you straightening the magazines in the lobby as an ER volunteer. If you are a student, Alvarado Hospital's Auxiliary Board offers a scholarship for its volunteers.

Make sure you call or visit the website of a prospective volunteer opporunity. Some good questions to ask are:

1. What is the volunteer scope of practice?/What will I be doing?

2. Is there a commitment?/How long is it?

3. What are the hours and days available and how long is the shift?

4. How much does the uniform cost?

Networking

If you do well, you may be able to ask the staff for a reference. References from medical staff, fire service, and law enforcement personnel are valuable. Also, be nice to your teacher, she is your main filter and mentor into the EMS world.

Alvarado Hospital, Volunteer Services - (619) 229-4619 - www.alvaradohospital.com

Volunteer Match - http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Volunteer Match Blog - http://blogs.volunteermatch.org/engagingvolunteers/

Requirements

1. Proof of TB Tests and Negative Test or Negative X-Ray. The hospital should provide you with a testing service for free. Save your TB test that you used for you EMT class as long as it is within the hospital's time frame (usually within the last 6 months).

2. Proof of MMR vaccination.

3. Identification papers for background check.

These are just some things that they will probably ask you for so keep your paperwork in order!

Additional Benefits

Some hospitals give preferential treatments to volunteers who become patients. Also, during National Volunteer Week, many hospitals have awards dinners or picnics for their dedicated volunteers. Also: those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer (http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/volunteering/benefits.asp).