Needs From: Head of the Lakes United Way

Volunteer: Post-Coronary Unit Volunteer

Support the work of dedicated staff caring for patients recovering from serious heart conditions or heart procedures.

“Our patients really love when our volunteers visit, it really makes a huge difference to them!”-Aaron Paske Nurse Clinical Supervisor, Level 17-Cardiology

Key Responsibilities

·         Report to the Charge Nurse for special instructions

·         Visit and provide support to patients when appropriate. 

·         Introduce yourself to staff and patients on the unit and ask them if you can help in any way.

·         Restock, sanitize, deliver mail, etc.

·         Special projects as needed

·         Observe hospital safety policies and procedures

·         Relay observations concerning patients and families to staff

·         Always respect patient confidentiality

Agency: Essentia Health

Support the work of dedicated staff caring for patients recovering from serious heart conditions or heart procedures.

“Our patients really love when our volunteers visit, it really makes a huge difference to them!”-Aaron Paske Nurse Clinical Supervisor, Level 17-Cardiology

Key Responsibilities

·         Report to the Charge Nurse for special instructions

·         Visit and provide support to patients when appropriate. 

·         Introduce yourself to staff and patients on the unit and ask them if you can help in any way.

·         Restock, sanitize, deliver mail, etc.

·         Special projects as needed

·         Observe hospital safety policies and procedures

·         Relay observations concerning patients and families to staff

·         Always respect patient confidentiality

Agency: Essentia Health

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 55805

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Surgery Waiting Room Volunteer

Be part of the team in our busy surgery department. Volunteers in the surgical family waiting room are the contact point for families waiting for loved ones in surgery, and can help with communication between staff and families, as well as provide a comforting environment.

“As a surgeon, I found it very helpful to have someone keeping track of my patients’ families. The families also found it reassuring to have a contact person in the lounge.” -Paul Kosmatka, MD Division Chair, Musculoskeletal and General/Trauma/Plastic Surgery Essentia East

Key Responsibilities

·         Report to the Charge Nurse for special instructions

·         Visit and provide support to families when appropriate. 

·         Introduce yourself to staff and patients on the unit and ask them if you can help in any way.

·         Special projects as needed

·         Observe hospital safety policies and procedures

·         Relay observations to CNS and/or AHN, NICU staff, concerning patients and families

·         Always respect patient confidentiality

Agency: Essentia Health

Be part of the team in our busy surgery department. Volunteers in the surgical family waiting room are the contact point for families waiting for loved ones in surgery, and can help with communication between staff and families, as well as provide a comforting environment.

“As a surgeon, I found it very helpful to have someone keeping track of my patients’ families. The families also found it reassuring to have a contact person in the lounge.” -Paul Kosmatka, MD Division Chair, Musculoskeletal and General/Trauma/Plastic Surgery Essentia East

Key Responsibilities

·         Report to the Charge Nurse for special instructions

·         Visit and provide support to families when appropriate. 

·         Introduce yourself to staff and patients on the unit and ask them if you can help in any way.

·         Special projects as needed

·         Observe hospital safety policies and procedures

·         Relay observations to CNS and/or AHN, NICU staff, concerning patients and families

·         Always respect patient confidentiality

Agency: Essentia Health

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 55805

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Breast Health Center Volunteer

Patients visit the Breast Center for annual mammograms as well as for treatments related to breast health. The Breast Health Volunteer is part of a team of caring individuals who welcome patients and support their care. The volunteer’s role is to greet patients, assist with registration, and then escort patients into the unit to prepare for their exam or procedure. Volunteer assistance is also needed with processing medical paperwork and calling for imaging reports.

Key Responsibilities

·         Provide support and reassurance to patients when appropriate. 

·         Introduce yourself to staff and patients/families on the unit and ask them if you can help in any way.

·         Assist in preparing mailings to patients

·         Assemble informational folders

·         Call departments for imaging reports

·         Sanitize high touch surfaces as needed

·         Monitor the waiting area, offer coffee, magazines when appropriate

·         Verify and assist with registration and appointment scheduling.

·         Provide patients with a gown to change

·         Special projects as needed

·         Observe hospital/clinic safety policies and procedures

·         Always respect patient confidentiality guidelines

Agency: Essentia Health

Patients visit the Breast Center for annual mammograms as well as for treatments related to breast health. The Breast Health Volunteer is part of a team of caring individuals who welcome patients and support their care. The volunteer’s role is to greet patients, assist with registration, and then escort patients into the unit to prepare for their exam or procedure. Volunteer assistance is also needed with processing medical paperwork and calling for imaging reports.

Key Responsibilities

·         Provide support and reassurance to patients when appropriate. 

·         Introduce yourself to staff and patients/families on the unit and ask them if you can help in any way.

·         Assist in preparing mailings to patients

·         Assemble informational folders

·         Call departments for imaging reports

·         Sanitize high touch surfaces as needed

·         Monitor the waiting area, offer coffee, magazines when appropriate

·         Verify and assist with registration and appointment scheduling.

·         Provide patients with a gown to change

·         Special projects as needed

·         Observe hospital/clinic safety policies and procedures

·         Always respect patient confidentiality guidelines

Agency: Essentia Health

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 55805

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Therapy Animal Team

Therapy animal visits have a tremendous impact on patients, families, and staff. Essentia Health facilities in Duluth and Superior would love to have more therapy animal teams join us!

Therapy animals must be certified by Alliance for Therapy Dogs, Pet Partners, or Therapy Dogs International.

Whether you and your pet are interested in regularly scheduled visits or occasional special events, we would love to work with you. 

Agency: Essentia Health

Therapy animal visits have a tremendous impact on patients, families, and staff. Essentia Health facilities in Duluth and Superior would love to have more therapy animal teams join us!

Therapy animals must be certified by Alliance for Therapy Dogs, Pet Partners, or Therapy Dogs International.

Whether you and your pet are interested in regularly scheduled visits or occasional special events, we would love to work with you. 

Agency: Essentia Health

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 55805

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Musician Volunteer

Share the beauty and healing qualities of music with oncology patients at Essentia Health. Pianists are needed for brief, but regularly occurring volunteer shifts with a gorgeous view of Lake Superior. Our patients enjoy music from a variety of instruments that can provide calming and moderate volume music. We are proud to offer a baby grand piano for pianists.

Musicians are needed Mondays and Tuesdays

Agency: Essentia Health

Share the beauty and healing qualities of music with oncology patients at Essentia Health. Pianists are needed for brief, but regularly occurring volunteer shifts with a gorgeous view of Lake Superior. Our patients enjoy music from a variety of instruments that can provide calming and moderate volume music. We are proud to offer a baby grand piano for pianists.

Musicians are needed Mondays and Tuesdays

Agency: Essentia Health

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 55805

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Hospital Wayfinder Volunteer

Set the tone for a good experience for patients and families at Essentia Health by welcoming patients and offering to direct them to appointments or services.

Wayfinders are needed in the beautiful new St. Mary's Medical Center and in other locations on our downtown Duluth campus.

Volunteer positions available Monday and Thursday afternoons.

Training is provided by our staff and experienced volunteers. 

Key Responsibilities

Greet patients and visitors upon arrival Ask whether patients and visitors require directionsEscort patients and visitors when necessary Develop strong knowledge of hospital and clinic locations (training provided)


Agency: Essentia Health

Set the tone for a good experience for patients and families at Essentia Health by welcoming patients and offering to direct them to appointments or services.

Wayfinders are needed in the beautiful new St. Mary's Medical Center and in other locations on our downtown Duluth campus.

Volunteer positions available Monday and Thursday afternoons.

Training is provided by our staff and experienced volunteers. 

Key Responsibilities

Greet patients and visitors upon arrival Ask whether patients and visitors require directionsEscort patients and visitors when necessary Develop strong knowledge of hospital and clinic locations (training provided)


Agency: Essentia Health

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 55805

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Floor Assistant Volunteer

Floor assistant volunteers are a key part of the team, and support the work of staff in the new St. Mary's Medical Center. This role is an ideal way to learn about career paths in healthcare, and be part of the effort to provide care and service to our patients. 

Our general medical, ICU, coronary, neurotrauma, and orthopedics floors are all in need of volunteer support. 

Key Responsibilities

Help with education projects Assist departmental staff with clerical and/or non-patient related tasks. Help stock items as needed Round/introduce yourself to patients and their families. Sit and visit with patients as appropriate or as requested. Offer water, magazines, warm blankets or other comfort items to patients and families. Assist with meal ordering and meal set-up as requested by patient or family. Clear bedside trays for meals as needed, removing trays and trash. Wipe down with Sani-wipes as necessary. Answer call lights as needed and alert departmental staff if clinical assistance is needed. Help with personal items as requested by patient or family. Be a hospital way-finder for patients and their families as appropriate or directed by staff. Deliver mail. Assist with patient belongings upon discharge as directed by staff. Provide support and reassurance to patients and their families when appropriate. Observe hospital safety policies and procedures (keeping portholes closed, isolation techniques, etc.) and reinforce these policies to patients. Relay observations to Charge Nurse, HUC, and/or staff, concerning patients and families. Respect patient confidentiality guidelines at all times.

Time Commitment

Weekly volunteer shift of 2-4 hours, depending on volunteer availability.

Qualifications

Desire to work in a hospital setting and a genuine concern for patients and their families. Comfortable asking questions. Ability to pay attention to details and follow specific instructions. Strong communication and customer service skills

Physical Requirements

This position requires volunteers to be on their feet, standing or walking for the majority of a given volunteer shift. Bending and light lifting.

Support

Health Unit Coordinator (HUC) and nursing staff can support volunteer and answer question as they arise

Benefits

Gain firsthand experience on a busy inpatient medical floor Play an active role in helping patients and staff Enjoy a meal in an Essentia cafeteria before or after your volunteer shift

 

Agency: Essentia Health

Floor assistant volunteers are a key part of the team, and support the work of staff in the new St. Mary's Medical Center. This role is an ideal way to learn about career paths in healthcare, and be part of the effort to provide care and service to our patients. 

Our general medical, ICU, coronary, neurotrauma, and orthopedics floors are all in need of volunteer support. 

Key Responsibilities

Help with education projects Assist departmental staff with clerical and/or non-patient related tasks. Help stock items as needed Round/introduce yourself to patients and their families. Sit and visit with patients as appropriate or as requested. Offer water, magazines, warm blankets or other comfort items to patients and families. Assist with meal ordering and meal set-up as requested by patient or family. Clear bedside trays for meals as needed, removing trays and trash. Wipe down with Sani-wipes as necessary. Answer call lights as needed and alert departmental staff if clinical assistance is needed. Help with personal items as requested by patient or family. Be a hospital way-finder for patients and their families as appropriate or directed by staff. Deliver mail. Assist with patient belongings upon discharge as directed by staff. Provide support and reassurance to patients and their families when appropriate. Observe hospital safety policies and procedures (keeping portholes closed, isolation techniques, etc.) and reinforce these policies to patients. Relay observations to Charge Nurse, HUC, and/or staff, concerning patients and families. Respect patient confidentiality guidelines at all times.

Time Commitment

Weekly volunteer shift of 2-4 hours, depending on volunteer availability.

Qualifications

Desire to work in a hospital setting and a genuine concern for patients and their families. Comfortable asking questions. Ability to pay attention to details and follow specific instructions. Strong communication and customer service skills

Physical Requirements

This position requires volunteers to be on their feet, standing or walking for the majority of a given volunteer shift. Bending and light lifting.

Support

Health Unit Coordinator (HUC) and nursing staff can support volunteer and answer question as they arise

Benefits

Gain firsthand experience on a busy inpatient medical floor Play an active role in helping patients and staff Enjoy a meal in an Essentia cafeteria before or after your volunteer shift

 

Agency: Essentia Health

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 55805

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Musician Volunteer with Essentia Health

Share calming music with cancer patients and their families. Volunteers are welcome to bring instruments that can be played at a low volume or to play our baby grand piano.  

Agency: Essentia Health

Share calming music with cancer patients and their families. Volunteers are welcome to bring instruments that can be played at a low volume or to play our baby grand piano.  

Agency: Essentia Health

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 55805

Allow Groups: No