Volunteer Services

Our volunteers are special people who have important roles at Milford Hospital. They come from dozens of local communities, and add an extra special dimension of care and comfort for the thousands of people who turn to Milford Hospital for their care. Patients come to Milford Hospital because they are not well, and a pleasant, positive volunteer may bring a smile to the face of someone going through a difficult time. They make a difference, whether they are assisting a department with a program, or assisting a lost family member in the hallway.

Each year more than 500 volunteers contribute more than 50,000 hours to support the hospital’s patients and visitors. Our volunteer program is open to those aged 14 and older (we’ve even had volunteers in their 90’s!) and who are able to commit a minimum of 2 hours per week.

Who are our Volunteers? And why?
Our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, but share a common desire to serve the community. They are professionals, retired professionals, former patients, teen-agers, homemakers, college students and many others. They tell us they volunteer because it keeps them active, they meet other interesting people and they wish to help others at a time when they can.

Volunteer Opportunities for adults and/or college students.
There are about 40 areas in which volunteers are placed, and assignments range from interacting directly with patients to positions with little or no patient contact. Volunteer placement is made based upon the specific interests, skills and availability of each prospective volunteer and the needs of the hospital.

A few extras for volunteers
Milford Hospital appreciates its volunteers! We strive to make each volunteers experience a positive one. We are easy to find, located in a nice suburban community, and parking is ample and free. In addition to the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction our volunteers feel, we offer opportunities for personal development, education and socialization. As “insiders,” volunteers can take advantage of our tax-free gift shop for their personal gifts, sign up for a variety of health screening programs, visit our internal book sales, and even use our on-site medical library. Additionally, some volunteers are eligible for a free meal coupon when they are “on-duty.”

To recognize their important service, each April we celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteer Week with an off-site awards banquet.

Training & Placement
All volunteers must complete an orientation of the hospital, and will be fully trained before they assume any role at the hospital. Based on their interests and time available, they may even wish to change jobs at a later date. We know that volunteers help because they want to, not because they have to.

Here is a sample of volunteer opportunities that may be available:

Patient and Visitor Information:
Work side by side with our Information Desk staff, volunteers greet visitors, provide information, passes and answer patient information phones.

Patient Representative:
Visit hospital patients and provide information on hospital and volunteer services. Also, assist with patient requests or concerns.

Escort Services:
Escort patients and visitors to various locations, and provide wheelchair service for discharged patients.

Emergency and Walk-In Center:
Volunteer receptionists meet and greet patients and assist them with registration.

Gift Shop:
Work as a sales person in the Auxiliary’s hospital gift shop in the main lobby

Nursery School Program:
Provide hospital and health education program to Nursery School aged children. (Seasonal)

Refreshment Service:
Offer evening refreshments to hospital patients.

SurgiCenter:
Volunteers act as a liaison between staff, patient and family members.

Tender Touch & Reiki:
Provide gentle hand and foot massages or Reiki relaxation to patients. (Special training is provided)

Clerical Assignments:
Provide clerical support to various hospital departments and patient units. Tasks may include filing, typing, data entry and answering the phone.

Junior Volunteer Program:
Junior Volunteers are 14 to 18. They must be in 8^th grade or over and must be able to commit a minimum of 50 hours of service within a one-year period.

Junior Volunteers are recruited for our fall/winter program and in the spring for our summer program. The program is an excellent opportunity for youth interested in learning more about the healthcare field, and in fact many have gone to become therapists, nurses and physicians. Positions are varied and include patient contact areas.

Junior Volunteer placements include:

• Nursing Unit Assistants: perform a variety of duties including discharging patients, running errands, stocking supplies, clerical duties, making beds, filling water pitchers and more.
• Transport/Escort: Escort patients on foot or via wheelchair between different locations in the hospital.
• Hospitality: Escort patients throughout hospital, deliver newspapers, flowers etc. to patient rooms.
• Messenger: Deliver internal mail and laboratory materials.
• Clerical Assistants: Assist with filing and completing office work.

How do I become a Volunteer?
Volunteer Services is open 8 am to 5 pm weekdays.

• Call the Volunteer Services Office at (203) 876-4062 to request a volunteer information packet;
• Return the completed application;
• Attend a required volunteer orientation session;
• Schedule and attend an interview with the Volunteer Services Office staff.

For further information:
E-mail us: Karen.Kipfer@milfordhospital.org or Christine.Brown@milfordhospital.org
Telephone: (203) 876-4061 or (203) 876-4062