UW Hospital and Clinics Volunteer Opportunities
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.
Clinics Information Desk*This desk is located inside the main clinics entrance. It is the first stopping place for outpatients and visitors. People who volunteer for desk activities assist the staff by answering questions, taking phone calls, giving directions to the various clinics and validating parking tickets, etc. Volunteers help make a positive and pleasant first impression of UW Hospital and Clinics. Volunteers become familiar with the clinic locations and the layout of the hospital. They should be pleasant and dependable.
Flower Delivery 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.
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.
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 UW Hospital and Clinics, and gain an excellent familiarity of the hospital.
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.
Volunteers provide musical entertainment in Atrium Lobby and for inpatient units. Audition required.
Flexible days and hours.
Occupational Therapy/Hand ClinicThis assignment requires that the volunteer be interested in O.T. 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.
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 UW Hospital and Clinics, 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 Clinic
- First Day Surgery/Ambulatory Surgery Center
- Hemodialysis (Fish Hatchery Road-Fitchburg)
- Infectious Disease/HIV Clinic
- Lung Cancer Clinic
- Odana Atrium Clinic
- Orthopedic Clinic
- Orthotics Clinic (must be pre-ortho student)
- Pediatric Clinic (University Station)
- Rehabilitation Clinic (6630 University Ave, Middleton)
Organ Procurement Office Assistant
Volunteer will provide support and assistance to the Organ Procurement Department members. Put patient information packets together, prepare for outreach events, various office tasks. Office located on west side of Madison.
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.
Outpatient Pharmacy
Volunteers will provide customer service, help answer phones when needed, help customers locate non-prescription medication, stock drugs and provide other assistance to the pharmacy staff.
Pharmacy Outpatient Host*
Volunteers will provide customer service, greet patients and visitors to the pharmacy, offer help, and answer non-medical questions. Training is provided, pharmacist training not needed. Positions available at UW Hospital Pharmacy, and 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.
Poison Prevention and Education Center
Volunteer would help compile poison prevention information and attend outreach education events throughout the county. Training and transportation provided. Hours and days are varied.
Sports Medicine Center (Research Park)
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 (TLC) 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 East and West Clinics*
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 Programs
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.
Youth Philanthropy Assistant - American Family Children's Hospital Adminstration
Volunteers assist with stewardship of youth donors to the American Family Children's Hospital, including: giving tours, outreach to youth groups and researching additional development opportunities. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in health care or development as a career.