Volunteer Information: St. Charles Parish Hospital

Our volunteers add an extra element of care and services to our patients, families, visitors and staff. Volunteers have played a vital role in serving the hospital for over 36 years and they continue to make a difference as they serve in a variety of departments/stations around the hospital. Volunteers range in age from 15-80+.

Why Volunteer?

• Gratifying to help others
• Enjoy making new friends
• Looking for new challenges
• To feel appreciated
• To give back to the community
• Learn new skills or enhance existing skills
• Complete service hour requirements
• Annual rewards and recognition
• To make a difference

Volunteer Opportunities

St. Charles Parish Hospital provides volunteer opportunities through its Auxiliary and Student Programs. Volunteering can open the door to making new friends, learning new skills, and developing new interests, while receiving great satisfaction from helping and being of service to others. Our volunteers truly make a difference at St. Charles Parish Hospital.

Volunteer responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Greeting patients and visitors
• Directing/escorting them to their designated areas
• Delivering gifts and/or cards to patients,
• Staffing in The Lagniappe Gifts and Goodies Gift Shop,
• Serving patient refreshments,
• Labeling and delivery of patient supplies,
• Refreshing magazine racks in the waiting areas
• Serving as the surgery waiting room liaison.
• Other departmental duties as needed.

Auxiliary-Senior Volunteer Program

The Auxiliary is a non-profit volunteer organization whose purpose is to provide health and welfare services to St. Charles Parish Hospital, its patients and the community through the provision of health educational materials and information. Its members are a dedicated group of men and women serving in many areas throughout the hospital.

The Auxiliary is a United Way agency and receives United Way funding to help in carrying out its mission. Proceeds from the Auxiliary’s Lagniappe Gifts and Goodies Gift Shop are designated for patient related projects. Auxiliary scholarships are awarded annually to graduating seniors from both St. Charles Parish High Schools, who are interested in pursuing a career in health care. These scholarships are funded through Auxiliary fundraisers throughout the year.

Mileage/travel reimbursement (to and from volunteer station) is available to members (55 and older) through an affiliation with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Student Volunteer Program

The College Program offers students the opportunity to earn volunteer service hours, network with healthcare professionals, add to their resume and learn more about healthcare careers. Special effort will be made to match the student’s volunteer assignment with their field of study. Clinical observation hours are coordinated through the Education Department.

The Teen Program, available to high school students 15 – 18 (or 14 and a freshman), offers an opportunity for students to earn volunteer service hours, make new friends, and experience the daily activities of a health care facility. Students may apply for limited after-school service positions and/or participate in the summer program which has additional assignments.

Process

Step 1- Application/Background Check - The Volunteer Application can be found here or in the Volunteer Services Office. All volunteers will have a background check. Once you have filled out the application, you will be considered for the following steps.

Step 2- Interview – The Volunteer Services Director will contact you to schedule an interview. Your acceptance and placement will be based on your interests and the needs of the hospital.

Step 3- Screenings - Adult volunteers will have a health screening form completed by their physician. We will schedule prospective adult volunteers for a required tuberculosis screening provided by St. Charles Parish Hospital Student Volunteers will have a health screening form and tuberculosis screening completed by their pediatrician.

Step 4- Orientation - Upon acceptance, you will be invited to a mandatory orientation. This covers St. Charles Parish Hospitals policies and procedures, expectations and guidelines for volunteers, as well as safety and security.

Step 5- Placement and Scheduling - After completing your health screening requirements and orientation, you should call the volunteer office to determine your volunteer placement, schedule, and start date.

Step 6– First Day of Volunteering - On your first day, you will receive your ID badge. A Volunteer Services team member will escort you to your placement and introduce you to your supervisor.

For More Information

For more information about becoming a volunteer at St. Charles Parish Hospital, please call Donna Palahang in the Volunteer Services office at 985-785-4258 or email her at Donna.Palahang@ochsner.org

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