Volunteer-May not engage in clinical practices but observes them?

[hiyaman]

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There's a volunteer program at a hospital, and the volunteer services says that volunteers may not engage patients on a clinical level-> what does that mean? Is it like they won't let me do things that nurses might typically do or something?

It says that volunteers will be in a clinical setting and may observe clinical practices.

I also have to complete 35 hours of clerical work before I can request a transfer to a patient care unit....

Should I look for another hospital or clinic or something for clinical experience?

 

[DrYoda]

I'm assuming it means you won't be doing things like stitching a wound or giving injections. But I'd ask for specifics as to what the clinical setting volunteers do anyway, just to make sure it's something you want to do.

If there's another nearby clinic/hospital that will let you jump straight into clinical volunteering and skip the clerical work I'd do that. Clerical work sucks.

 

[LizzyM]

It might have to do with insurance/malpractice/scope of practice and it could also have something to do with union members protecting their jobs.

Either way, do what you can to see all you can see and to help anyone who needs your help within the boundaries set up by the volunteer office.

 

[hiyaman]

There's a hospital that is nearby, that sounds like volunteers have more patient interaction. The only thing is with that hospital (St. Joseph), they have a pre-application for volunteers to see if they want you as a volunteer... -_- wtf right?

Or is the preapplication just a formality and they take mostly everyone that applies?

lol i mean, I don't know why they wouldn't let me volunteer, it's free labor. Also I don't have any history of criminal activities, and I have a history of volunteer participation.

 

[LizzyM]

There's a hospital that is nearby, that sounds like volunteers have more patient interaction. The only thing is with that hospital (St. Joseph), they have a pre-application for volunteers to see if they want you as a volunteer... -_- wtf right?

Or is the preapplication just a formality and they take mostly everyone that applies?

lol i mean, I don't know why they wouldn't let me volunteer, it's free labor. Also I don't have any history of criminal activities, and I have a history of volunteer participation.

Almost any organization is going to need some paperwork... some will need a criminal background check, others will want a TB test, vaccination records, etc. I had to fill out a form, give references, attend a half-day of safety training and do monthly continuing education to volunteer to work with kids in a non-clinical setting.

We are good people and maybe it doesn't occur to us that some people would volunteer so that they can get into a place to rob, rape, steal, and sabatoge.

 

[govice]

I'm in a similar situation where I've been volunteering in a position where I do a ton of clinical observation but dont actually touch patients. I'm an "Infection Control Surveyor" - I spend time observing patient care activities on various wards of the hospital, ER, OR etc and then create a monthly report for the infection control office on my findings. I've really enjoyed the position since I did some related research as an undergrad and have gotten to see what happens in almost every clinical department of the hospital. However, I'm wondering if this can be considered clinical experience - I can certainly "smell the patients" but really don't interact with them at all.

 

[Shaptown]

Ask for specifics, but it just merely sounds like what most internships provided through your undergraduate university entail. I'm sure you will "interact" with patients, but anything in the medical realm is forbidden.

 

[LizzyM]

I'm in a similar situation where I've been volunteering in a position where I do a ton of clinical observation but dont actually touch patients. I'm an "Infection Control Surveyor" - I spend time observing patient care activities on various wards of the hospital, ER, OR etc and then create a monthly report for the infection control office on my findings. I've really enjoyed the position since I did some related research as an undergrad and have gotten to see what happens in almost every clinical department of the hospital. However, I'm wondering if this can be considered clinical experience - I can certainly "smell the patients" but really don't interact with them at all.

It's clinical and it is excellent. No worries.

 

[nlax30]

Like others have said it's probably their standard disclaimer for malpractice/insurance reasons. You'd still be observing/shadowing/watching patient care and such, but won't be taking histories, doing physicals, procedures, etc...

If a patient says "hi" or starts some small talk, IMHO at least, you certainly don't have to leave or avoid responding and should be able to converse with patients. The part about not engaging clinically w/ pts I view more as you interviewing them for the purpose of a medical history or something.

 

[hiyaman]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'm going to check out St. Joseph Hospital, and I'm also going to ask the original hospital I was going to volunteer at about exactly what they mean in their disclaimer.

I'm just starting to worry about the EC's i'm doing, now that I have my GPA under control.