Volunteers’ payoff is big, even without a paycheck
“I have seen some effects from the economy,” says Antonio Nieto, Community Regional’s service delivery supervisor. “I am actually getting volunteers between jobs that are coming here, not only to keep themselves busy, but keep their skills current.”
Maxine Ayers says she gets as much back as she gives; volunteering allows her to learn crucial skills as she attempts to change careers. And teenagers Sarah Marquez and Maikia Moua are building their resumes by volunteering as they work towards nursing careers.
There are currently more than 300 volunteers at Community Regional, covering day and night shifts on Monday through Saturday in a range of duties that include greeting visitors and answering questions at the information desk, delivering items in the hospital, transporting patients, helping in the stock room and filing. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old, attend a three-hour orientation, pass a TB test and pass a background check if they’re over 18.
“The volunteers of today are a mixed group. We have volunteers as young as 14 years of age and I have one volunteer as old as 89, “explains Nieto. “What we look for in a volunteer is someone who is service-oriented, someone who wants to be here, who wants to help, is unselfish and is a team player.”
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| Antonio Nieto, Community Regional's service delivery supervisor, chats with Maxine Ayers, a volunteer who is gaining experience in the medical field as she eyes a career change. |
Marquez, a high school senior, says there is no better place to plant the seeds of her dream to be a nurse than Community Regional, where she can make connections and learn the ropes of what health care is about. She has a big smile on her face as she greets people and answer questions at the information desk two evenings a week. “I like to help people out,” she states.”That’s what I get to do when I am here.”
Moua graduated early this year from Sanger High School to reach her goal to work in the emergency department quicker. “I wanted to have the chance to volunteer here at Community to get closer to my career job as an RN,” she says. “I get to explore new and different cultures and people.”
Ayers was downsized out of her job in the printing industry a year ago, and is taking the turn of events to turn to a new career. “I have been unemployed for over a year. I went back to school to become a medical assistant and am finding it hard to find work out there. With this change of career, I am coming back at entry level.”
The positive sides to volunteering are many for this upbeat job hunter. “It’s a good way to meet people,” Ayers says. “It takes up my time, and keeps me from being depressed about being unemployed.”
She adds it also is allowing her to make connections in health care. Age-wise, Ayers is sandwiched between the junior volunteers and the retired ones. She often can be found in the “volley pool” – the place where volunteers go to get assignments. She also works in the surgical waiting room in the hospital’s trauma and critical care building.
Ayers is enjoying her “holding pattern” time as a volunteer. “By being a volunteer, not only do I get to experience working in the hospital environment, I get the opportunity to meet different employees at the hospital and they get used to seeing my face.”
She also feels she’s stretching her people skills: “I am learning how to deal with people who are sick or don’t feel well. I am learning how to reach out and have a positive attitude, which in turn helps me have a positive attitude.”
Whatever the reason to volunteer, there is a payback that has nothing to do with a paycheck. And it’s a win-win for the organization, as the need for volunteers never goes away, says Nieto. Community Regional is actively seeking volunteers as the regional medical center continues to grow.
“We always have a need for more volunteers. My vision is to have volunteers in as many areas as possible throughout the entire system,” says Nieto.
This story was reported by Bonni Montevecchi. She can be reached at MedWatchToday@communitymedical.org.