Emergency Room Volunteer Program Description

Program Purpose: The purpose of the program is twofold:

1. to provide volunteer assistants to work in the Goshen Hospital emergency room

2. to provide interested students experience in a hospital setting. This can benefit students in two ways: by helping to clarify career choices and by providing a reference on your resume that helps validate your interest in health care

Program Structure:

1. students volunteers will work at least ten 4-hour shifts in the ER room

2. volunteers can continue their work beyond the semester that they start

3. if their is sufficient interest, and adequate resources are available at the hospital, the program will offer starting points at the beginning of each academic semester

4. applications are due at the faculty sponsors office by the 3rd Monday of the semester

Program Expectations: All program participants are expected to do the following

1. participate in a one and one half hr. orientation/training session, to be scheduled some time early in the semester that your volunteer work will be starting

2. attend a general hospital orientation session

3. commit to working at least ten 4-hour shifts

4. follow all directions given in the training program, and by hospital staff when on duty

5. all program participants must have had a TB test within the three months before their participation begins; this can be arranged during the orientation/training session

6. all program participants must have documentation of having a hepatitis B vaccine; this also can be arranged during the orientation/training session

Selection of participants:

1. admission to and continuation in the program is ultimately determined by the hospital director of volunteer programs

2. a maximum of ten-twelve students per semester may begin the program

3. if program capacity is exceeded, selection preference will be given first to students who have a serious interest in a health related career (an interest, not necessarily a definite commitment) and submit an application before the deadline; the second selection criteria will be to offer placement to students who have not participated in the program or other similar programs before; the third selection criteria will be seniority; other relevant factors may also be considered as necessary.

Other:

1. It may be possible to get college credit as practicum or advanced departmental studies for this program. If you might want to get credit, please consult with your advisor in advance. In general, 40 hours of work are needed for one hour of college credit.

Contact persons: Faculty sponsor: Professor James S. Miller, Goshen College Biology department; or members of the Goshen College Premedical Executive Committee (see web site at http://www.goshen.edu/bio/pre_med/medhome.html).

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Duties (from the Goshen Hospital Volunteer Services Office)

1. Attend to the needs of the Emergency Department, patients and their families

2. Escorting and transporting patients

3. Assist in patient areas when requested

4. Assist with maintaining department supplies and cleanliness

5. Run errands as requested

6. Assist with clerical duties as requested

7. Help provide emotional support for patient and family

8. Perform other duties as directed by RN

9. Assist in patient check in

 

Qualifications (from the Goshen Hospital Volunteer Services Office)

1. Must be tactful, considerate, alert and courteous at all times

2. Must be able to give directions clearly

3. Must be able to communicate effectively with both the families and the ER team, and be able to handle stressful situations

4. Must be able to respect the confidentiality of the patients, families and the hospital

5. Must be able to cope with the sight of various injuries and/or death

6. Must be able to work under chaotic conditions

7. Must be able to work once a week to maintain proficiency

 

Physical Demands (from the Goshen Hospital Volunteer Services Office)

1. Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time and push a whell chair

2. Some lifting may be required

Goshen College Pre-med Club

Name_________________________ Year in School _____________ (Fr., So., etc.)

Phone Number _________________ E-mail address ____________________

Application for year _________, semester Fall Spring (circle one)

Application Deadline: 3rd Monday of the semester (turn in to Prof. Miller, Sc. 218)

List the pre-medical science classes that you have taken or are currently taking.

Have you previously participated in the ER program? Yes or No

Do you have previous experience in working in a hospital? Yes or No

If yes, please explain the nature of the experience:

What are your current career interest(s)/goal(s)?

How would you rate your interest pursuing a health related career?

none very little some interest strong interest definitely committed

Please indicate what time periods you would have available to work a four hour volunteer shift on any or all of the following days

. . . . . Monday . . . . . Tuesday . . . . . Wednesday . . . . . Thursday . . . . . Friday . . . . . Saturday . . . . . Sunday




I agree to abide by all Goshen General Hospital rules and dress codes, and will complete all assigned tasks to the best of my ability in accordance with these rules.

Student signature ________________________________ Date _______________Goshen College Pre-med Club

 

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Created and Maintained by Dr. James S. Miller

Last updated 31 Oct. 1997

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