Hospital volunteer orientation?

[TMRaven]

Hi all, I applied to volunteer at a local hospital a week ago and got a call back this morning with an invitation to attend a group orientation. Can anyone tell me what to expect? Any interviewing involved? If so, what kind of questions? Tips? I don't know if this orientation guarantees me a spot but I really look forward to serving.

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[La Presse]

I can speak to these since I've gone through the process several times. Depending on the hospital, the activities, dress code, and how volunteers are introduced to the hospital they plan on working in is highly variable.

I can think of 2 different examples that show how different these things can be and how they might influence your overall experience. There was one hospital I started volunteering at in a very upscale, posh area of town. The orientation was relaxed, people and patients were extremely friendly. We were given tours of the hospital. Powerpoints and formalities were brief. Food was exquisite. They provided us uniforms to don, showing off the emblem of the hospital. On top of that, we as volunteers had a an extremely strong support system with the volunteer coordinators and most staff. I can go on and on about this....

A time came when I decided I had to try out other hospitals since there were some closer in proximity to my school. At first I was rejected , but then I followed up and managed to get an interview, which went horribly. I went to the orientation in a formal outfit, no lunch was served, the shot requirements and hospital policy were byzantine. And on top of that , the coordinator is a snide SOB who can rot in hell because if she thinks I'm about to jump through all these hoops, she's...crazy. She showed me the uniforms that we had to wear during our shift, and that was when I decided that there were other opportunities I could benefit from. Slacks!!?? A tie? Yeah...really pay attention during your orientation. I'm gonna stop here since my blood is starting to boil.

/rant

 

[Kochanie]

Hi all, I applied to volunteer at a local hospital a week ago and got a call back this morning with an invitation to attend a group orientation. Can anyone tell me what to expect? Any interviewing involved? If so, what kind of questions? Tips? I don't know if this orientation guarantees me a spot but I really look forward to serving.

Pretty boring actually. I just went through this with two hospitals. You go through all the rules and HIPAA. Then we got our ID picture taken, learned how to do basic things (wheelchair), and walked around.

But it can vary. At the places I volunteer at orientation means you're in.

 

[TMRaven]

I can speak to these since I've gone through the process several times. Depending on the hospital, the activities, dress code, and how volunteers are introduced to the hospital they plan on working in is highly variable.

I can think of 2 different examples that show how different these things can be and how they might influence your overall experience. There was one hospital I started volunteering at in a very upscale, posh area of town. The orientation was relaxed, people and patients were extremely friendly. We were given tours of the hospital. Powerpoints and formalities were brief. Food was exquisite. They provided us uniforms to don, showing off the emblem of the hospital. On top of that, we as volunteers had a an extremely strong support system with the volunteer coordinators and most staff. I can go on and on about this....

A time came when I decided I had to try out other hospitals since there were some closer in proximity to my school. At first I was rejected 🙂thinking🙂, but then I followed up and managed to get an interview, which went horribly. I went to the orientation in a formal outfit, no lunch was served, the shot requirements and hospital policy were byzantine. And on top of that , the coordinator is a snide SOB who can rot in hell because if she thinks I'm about to jump through all these hoops, she's...crazy. She showed me the uniforms that we had to wear during our shift, and that was when I decided that there were other opportunities I could benefit from. Slacks!!?? A tie? Yeah...really pay attention during your orientation. I'm gonna stop here since my blood is starting to boil.

/rant

Haha so it seems like it varies quite a bit. I'll prepare for the worst!

 

[TMRaven]

Pretty boring actually. I just went through this with two hospitals. You go through all the rules and HIPAA. Then we got our ID picture taken, learned how to do basic things (wheelchair), and walked around.

But it can vary. At the places I volunteer at orientation means you're in.

Ah i see. I have my orientation this friday. I hope it goes well

 

[Kochanie]

Ah i see. I have my orientation this friday. I hope it goes well

I'm sure it'll be great! Did you decide what kind of volunteering you will do?

 

[Mr Interesting]

Had to get shots and a picture taken for an ID. Then went on a tour and was given a password to open doors for the E.R. (it opened two doors that could have been opened by pressing a button on the side of the wall without a password btw). Then I was taken to the cafeteria where I was given a breakfast/lunch card good for one free meal a week. After that they showed me where they kept all the pillows, blankets, and cleaning supplies followed by a 2 minute presentation on how to make a bed. As a test to make sure I was paying attention I was then asked to make the bed. I passed the test and was given a uniform... the rest is history. I'm sort of a big deal at that hospital. Beds don't get made unless I'm there.

 

[medicalmnt]

lol seriously?
who cares. learn it wing it. i'm sure you don't have to study for this thing.


-Just a basic tour, small informal meeting with other volunteers and what we're interested in, timelines, what they expect, and what we wish to get out of our time here,etc basic things.
-It's like going to a club interest meeting.


Our entire pre-volunteering was broken down into things we had to do like get our drug test forms, physical, background check, fill out a questionaire, receive badges, HIPAA training,etc.
then after everything was cleared we had our individual training where we were given passcodes and what to do.

 

[taniaekal]

I volunteer at a Children's hospital, so we heard speeches from social workers and child life specialists on how to work with children and look after their needs. The volunteer coordinators explained HIPAA and the rules of the hospital. They explained the different positions and shifts available. We took our ID pictures for our badge and got free dinner. Nothing too extraordinary! You will be fine.

 

[TMRaven]

I'm sure it'll be great! Did you decide what kind of volunteering you will do?

I'm not really quite sure. This is my first volunteer experience in a hospital. Maybe push wheelchairs? lol

 

[TMRaven]

Had to get shots and a picture taken for an ID. Then went on a tour and was given a password to open doors for the E.R. (it opened two doors that could have been opened by pressing a button on the side of the wall without a password btw). Then I was taken to the cafeteria where I was given a breakfast/lunch card good for one free meal a week. After that they showed me where they kept all the pillows, blankets, and cleaning supplies followed by a 2 minute presentation on how to make a bed. As a test to make sure I was paying attention I was then asked to make the bed. I passed the test and was given a uniform... the rest is history. I'm sort of a big deal at that hospital. Beds don't get made unless I'm there.

Haha. Sort of like a vip eh?

 

[TMRaven]

I volunteer at a Children's hospital, so we heard speeches from social workers and child life specialists on how to work with children and look after their needs. The volunteer coordinators explained HIPAA and the rules of the hospital. They explained the different positions and shifts available. We took our ID pictures for our badge and got free dinner. Nothing too extraordinary! You will be fine.

Good to hear. Thanks for the info guys!