UW Hospital and Clinics Volunteer Opportunities

Administrative Clerical Assistant

Provide general office support to various departments. Prepare mailings, distribute information, filing and general office duties for Clinics Administration, American Family Children's Hospital philanthropy office, Spiritual Care office or Volunteer office depending on need and interest.

Book Carts*

Half Price Books stores conduct an annual used books drive through their Half Pint Library program. They donate the carts and books for patients' use in the hospitals and clinics. Approximately ten-thousand books are distributed through the half pint library program each year. There are seven book carts throughout the hospital. The carts need to be restocked regularly and kept clean and orderly. At least twice a month 1-2 boxes of books must be sent to 5 off-site UW Health Pediatric Clinics.

Carewear Host

Volunteers in the Breast Cancer Center will have the opportunity to support the service of UW Health CareWear by providing retail service and support to patients, visitors and staff. This position is open to women only.

Communion Distribution

Catholic volunteers are specially trained by their parish for this job and further trained by ministers. Volunteers typically take one 3-hour shift per week to distribute communion to catholic patients who request it.

Daily Friendly Visitor*

Provide a friendly visit to long term patients or to those who have family living far away. Volunteer can become a "buddy" to a frequent patient, or can come in to visit a variety of patients one time per week. Must have prior six months experience volunteering at UW Hospital before applying for this position.

Emergency Department (ED) Patient/Family Liason

To facilitate communication and support to families and patients in the Emergency Department. The ED Patient/Family Liaison Volunteer provides a human touch and contact during times of extraordinary stress. This position is not available to college students who are undergrads. Minimum of one year commitment please.

Flower Delivery, Diversions and e-Cards*

Volunteer delivers flowers, gift arrangements and e-Cards sent to the Hospital. They will also provide art and general activities for patients as needed.

Gift Shop 

The Gift Shop provides many opportunities to interact with patients, visitors and staff. The Gift Shop volunteer operates a cash register (training is provided) and helps to maintain an attractive display of items. This assignment requires an interest in retailing, ability to handle money and willingness to interact with customers.

Heart and Vascular Care Greeter*

Facilitate communication and provide support and information to patients, family and staff as they arrive to the HVC clinic or to the Inpatient unit.

Inpatient Unit Host*

Volunteers assist and offer support to adult inpatients and nursing staff by visiting with patients, answering call lights, passing meal trays, filling out meal menus, distributing patient mail, greeting families, escorting discharged patients to main entrance, etc. Requires an additional formal orientation. Inpatient Unit Hosts are currently located on the following units:

• Burn Unit
• Cardiac Unit
• Family Practice
• General Medicine/Geriatrics
• General Surgery/Trauma
• Gynecology/Urology/Plastics/ENT
• Hematology/Oncology/BMT
• Neurosurgery/Ophthalmology
• Orthopedics
• Pulmonary/GI Unit
• Rehabilitation
• Transplant Unit

Main Information Desk*

This desk is located inside the hospital's main entrance. It is the first stopping place for inpatients and visitors. The staff at this desk is assisted by volunteers who help handle desk activities, i.e. answering questions, giving out patient room numbers and telephone numbers, and assisting patients as needed. The people at this desk help make a positive and pleasant first impression of UWHC, and gain an excellent familiarity of the hospital.

Medical Record Assembly*

Collate and prepare medical record jackets for new patients. Days and times are flexible. Perfect job for those who would like to enter the work force for the first time and need the structure of going to "work" and having tasks to complete. Located on far West side of Madison.

Musical Medicine*

Volunteers provide musical entertainment in Atrium Lobby and for Inpatient Units. Audition required. Flexible Days and Hours

Navigator*

Greet patients and visitors as they enter the hospital, provide directions to locations around the hospital, escort visitors and patients to the appropriate locations, and provide any other needed assistance. Volunteers help to make a positive and pleasant first impression of UWHC. Volunteers will become familiar with the clinic locations and the layout of the hospital. They should be pleasant and dependable.

Nutrition Services

Must be a nutrition student in college or a retired nutritionist to qualify for this job. Provides assistance with special projects and office help. Days and times are flexible.

Occupational Therapy

Provide office, Inpatient and clinical support duties that do not require a therapist to oversee. Days and times are flexible. Prefer students wishing to pursue a career in O.T. or retired P.T.

Occupational Therapy - Hand Clinic

This assignment requires that the volunteer be interested in OT as a career or a retired P.T. Volunteers assist staff with project preparation, maintaining clinic and craft supplies. Volunteers also assist with adaptive equipment construction. Days and times are flexible.

Occupational Therapy Activity Assistant

Assist OT department with activities on an inpatient unit.

Outpatient Clinics*

There is a growing trend toward treatment of patients in outpatient settings. Under the guidance and direction of the staff, volunteers assist in various ways depending on specific needs of each clinic. These volunteers anticipate patient needs to assure a pleasant experience at UWHC, assist with escorting, answering phones, charting and running errands necessary for the smooth operation of a clinic. Good communication and teamwork between the volunteer and clinic staff is essential. Following is a list of clinics that use volunteers:

• Bariatric Surgery Center
• First Day Surgery/Ambulatory Surgery Center
• Hemodialysis (Fish Hatchery Road-Fitchburg)
• Infectious Disease/HIV Clinic
• Lung Cancer Clinic
• Orthopedic Clinic
• Orthotics Clinic (Must be pre-ortho student)
• Pediatric Clinic (University Station)
• Rehabilitation Clinic (6630 University Ave, Middleton)

Outpatient Blood Drawing Lab

Volunteers provide customer service to patients visiting the blood drawing lab, offer help and often can provide escort to next appointment.

Pharmacy Outpatient Host*

Volunteers will provide customer service, greet patients and visitors to the pharmacy, offer help, and answer non-medical questions, stock drugs and provide assistance to pharmacy staff. Training is provided, pharmacist training not needed. Positions available at UW Hospital Pharmacy, and UW Pharmacies at Hilldale, East and West Clinics.

Physical Therapy

Volunteers assist staff with activities related to departmental maintenance, elementary assistance with patient activities and transportation of patients in wheelchairs.

Physical Therapy - Princeton Club

Positions at 8042 Watts Road-Princeton Club West and 1726 Eagan Rd-Princeton Club East.

Sports Medicine Center (Reserach Park Facility - 621 Science Drive)

Volunteers must be interested in Physical Therapy as a career. Volunteers assist staff with assigned patient activities, maintaining equipment and occasional clerical duties.

Trauma Life Center Waiting Room

This program is designed to provide convenient, comfortable waiting areas for families and friends of patients. The TLC volunteer provides a human touch and contact during a time of extraordinary stress. Since the waiting room is physically away from the unit, the nurses do not always know when family members arrive. Also, family often arrives well before the patient, especially with trauma patients. The volunteer will provide support to family members who are visiting day after day as well as keep the waiting area organized. The volunteer will be the "eyes and ears" for social work, pastoral services and nursing.

UW Clinics East*

Volunteers assist staff with greeting and supporting patients waiting for appointments and provide clerical and staff support. Volunteers should be friendly, outgoing and willing to approach patients and visitors offering assistance as needed. Volunteers should be comfortable working with children and elderly. This service requires minor clerical skills including sorting, addressing envelopes, assembling new charts and patient information folders. Confidentiality is required.

Wigs for Patients Program 

Volunteers assist patients with choice, fitting and care of wigs, turbans and scarves (available at no cost to patient). Training provided. Flexible times during the work week.