volunteering

[yjj8817]

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So I am volunteering at this clinic for homeless people and my job is to give out supplies to them (soap, shampoo, tampon, lotion, hairbrush etc.)

I was wondering if I should be helping out patients in at least somewhat medical way instead of just giving out supplies. Does this really matter?

What kind of volunteer work should I really be doing?

Thank you!

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

So I am volunteering at this clinic for homeless people and my job is to give out supplies to them (soap, shampoo, tampon, lotion, hairbrush etc.)

I was wondering if I should be helping out patients in at least somewhat medical way instead of just giving out supplies. Does this really matter?

What kind of volunteer work should I really be doing?

Thank you!

So what do you want to do exactly? Give them any injections that the doctor ordered? Intubate?

Unfortunately, as pre-med volunteers, there isn't MUCH we can do...when I volunteered at the hospital, I'm pretty sure my disconnection of some tubing under nurse supervision wasn't the most legal, but that's exactly the point, I wasn't supposed to be doing it. The idea is to gain clinical exposure (actively observing what the process is) as well as learning how to serve others...in any capacity.

The limited "impact" I had in a medical volunteer position was part of the reason why I have such extensive non-medical volunteering activities; it's a great chance to make a larger impact in the lives of those in need. That being said, we all must participate in both types of volunteer opportunities to be well-rounded.

 

[Doctor246853]

So I am volunteering at this clinic for homeless people and my job is to give out supplies to them (soap, shampoo, tampon, lotion, hairbrush etc.)

I was wondering if I should be helping out patients in at least somewhat medical way instead of just giving out supplies. Does this really matter?

What kind of volunteer work should I really be doing?

Thank you!

Im gona go out on the limb and guess you dont know too much about the process. Yes it is very important what you are doing, continue. But also help paients in a medical enviorment as well as your community volunteer. I also do the homeless shelther volunteer work🙂

 

[jvesco22]

So what do you want to do exactly? Give them any injections that the doctor ordered? Intubate?

Unfortunately, as pre-med volunteers, there isn't MUCH we can do...when I volunteered at the hospital, I'm pretty sure my disconnection of some tubing under nurse supervision wasn't the most legal, but that's exactly the point, I wasn't supposed to be doing it. The idea is to gain clinical exposure (actively observing what the process is) as well as learning how to serve others...in any capacity.

The limited "impact" I had in a medical volunteer position was part of the reason why I have such extensive non-medical volunteering activities; it's a great chance to make a larger impact in the lives of those in need. That being said, we all must participate in both types of volunteer opportunities to be well-rounded.

which hospital was that at (if you don't mind sharing)?

 

[sonia1177]

So I am volunteering at this clinic for homeless people and my job is to give out supplies to them (soap, shampoo, tampon, lotion, hairbrush etc.)

I was wondering if I should be helping out patients in at least somewhat medical way instead of just giving out supplies. Does this really matter?

What kind of volunteer work should I really be doing?

Thank you!

I am surprised with some of the sarcasm in some responses but I will try to answer your question in all seriousness 🙂. If you are asking if you can provide some sort of medical help to the Patient such as that a CNA, Nurse, Doctor, etc. would provide the answer is NO. You can probably only do the things that are no more or no less than in the description. Of course if a patient is asking for the Nurse, you can call the Nurse for them or tell the Nurse the patient is asking for something. But that's is pretty much the extent to which you can do anything "medically", I would assume. You are probably not actually allowed to DO anything to the patient.

 

[apumic]

In a free clinic setting, you might be able to do more, which it sounds like is the kind of setting you're volunteering in. Serve there awhile and begin to build relationships w/ the clinical staff (and let them know you want to go into medicine -- but in a very causal way). If you're lucky, they might offer to train you and let you become involved in some of the less technical stuff (e.g., helping with assessments, scribe for the doc, etc.). I know I have got the clinical staff of which I am a part at a free clinic to do this. I've actually established some standards for getting premeds involved in pt care. Essentially, it comes down to the premed having to go through a shadowing process and then remain under direct and continuous supervision during all pt contact. It seems to work well and our medical director and other management approve of it. You could always push (gently!) for something similar at your clinic.