Adult Volunteer Opportunities – Winter 2012-13

University Hospital 

A 570-bed top ranked hospital serving Central Virginia.  Volunteer opportunities include direct and indirect patient contact.  

Escort & Wayfinding:  A customer service position for those who like to walk. Volunteers assist patients and families by walking with them to their first destination.  Friendly, gregarious people are wanted in this role.  Basic wheelchair training provided.

Hours:  Monday – Friday, hours and location negotiable

Shopping Cart:  Taking Gift Shop goodies and supplies for sale in a cart to visitors, staff and some patients, the Shopping Cart serves the whole hospital.  Best done in pairs.

Hours:  Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, evenings before 8:00 P.M.

Driver, Patient Courtesy Shuttle:  Help patients and families navigate across “The Link” between University Hospital and the West Complex, driving a 3-passenger golf cart.  A great sit-down job for someone interested in providing great customer service, and saving many steps for frail patients.

Hours:  Monday–Friday, 3 hour shift between 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Gift Shop:  The Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop in the main lobby offers flowers, balloons, stuffed animals, gift items, books & magazines, snack foods, toiletries, and sundries.  Volunteers run the cash register, stock items, and offer excellent customer service Training is provided.  The Gift shop is a great place to learn retail.

Hours: Tuesday- 1:00 PM-5:00 PM

                Friday, 1:00 PM-5:00 PM

Music for Healing:  Soothing music can transform the busy hospital atmosphere and help to create a calm, relaxing environment. Volunteers who are pianists are invited to help create this feeling by playing the Lobby piano.  Others who play more portable instruments are able to play in certain patient care areas.  Audition required.

Hours:  Flexible  

Hospital Auxiliary: Numerous volunteer opportunities exist to support the Auxiliary’s work to benefit the Health System including:

  • Ongoing activities such as serving on the Board of Directors, writing for the Newsletter, helping with the finances, or serving on a committee
  • Annual events such as the “Lights of Love” holiday tree or Daffodil Days, which require both leaders and helpers
  • Seasonal events such as Book, Jewelry and other vendor sales that support the Auxiliary’s philanthropy budget

Transitional Care Hospital

The Transitional Care Hospital is a long term acute care facility located at 2965 Ivy Road in Charlottesville. There are several ways in which volunteers can plug in and make a real difference in the lives of our patients, their families and guests.

Hallway Musicians: Volunteer musicians are invited to play their instrument in a corridor where the music will waft into nearby rooms. Music creates a pleasant and healing environment for patients, families and staff, providing comfort and diversion in an often-difficult environment.

Hours: Flexible and include evenings and weekends

Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center

A nationally recognized cancer center where patients receive all the treatment they need in one central location.  Volunteers provide support and comfort to patients in their battle against cancer.

Flourish Boutique: A positive image boutique designed to help those facing cancer to look and feel their best. Help patients to feel more vibrant, confident and better able to face the challenges of cancer. Volunteers run the cash register, stock items, and offer excellent customer service.  The Boutique is a great place to learn retail.

Hours: Monday-Friday, subbing morning and afternoon shifts

Infusion Hospitality: Volunteers provide hospitality by serving refreshments, comfort care items, empathic listening and practical support to patients receiving intravenous medications.

Hours: Wednesday, 3 hour shift between 7:00 AM-2:00 PM

Clinic Hospitality: Volunteers provide refreshments and empathetic listening to patients and their caregivers in the many waiting rooms of the Cancer Center.

Hours: Thursday, Friday, 3 hours shift between 8:00 AM-2:00 PM

UVA HOPE Cancer Care - Augusta

The HOPE Cancer Care Center of Augusta is located at 57 Beam Lane, Suite 300 in Fishersville, VA specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and long term care of adult patients with cancer and blood disorders.

Infusion Hospitality: Volunteers provide hospitality by serving refreshments, comfort care items, empathic listening and practical support to patients receiving intravenous medications.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 3 hour shift between 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

UVA Children’s Hospital

At the UVA Children’s Hospital, children and their families are special.  They receive special care in a warm, friendly environment especially designed for them.  Offering total healthcare – everything from well-baby visits to heart transplants.

Crafters:  A great opportunity for those who want to help from home. Volunteers who knit or crochet can make baby caps for newborns.  Other volunteers sew layette items for babies, lap robes for adult patients, or quilt for the children.  Please contact us in advance to see if we can use your handmade items.

Bookworms:  Reading aloud with young patients and their siblings in the Pediatric Clinic waiting room, volunteers model book-sharing techniques for parents, showing them by example that reading aloud is fun for adults and children.
Location:  Primary Care Center

Hours:  Individually scheduled

Creativity Zone:  Help make pediatric clinic visits positive experiences for patients, siblings, and parents/caregivers through arts, crafts, and reading. Volunteers coordinate activities that engage children and facilitate play in the waiting room of the clinic. Activities include facilitation of arts and crafts and book reading.
Location: Primary Care Center Pediatric Clinic

Hours:  Monday-Friday, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM

Pet Therapy:  Working through Therapy Dogs International, Therapy Dog Incorporated, or Delta Society, certified dogs and their owner/handlers visit pediatric patients at KCRC and the Medical Center.  Dogs must be certified before visiting the hospital.

Hours:  Flexible

Welcome Greeter KCRC:   Volunteers greet, assist and escort outpatients and visitors helping them find their destination in the KCRC facility and to support a welcoming and comfortable visit.  Requires good interpersonal skills and a willingness to provide excellent customer service. 

Hours:  Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM (min. 2 hour shift) 

Yoga KCRC: This seasonal program adapts traditional yoga teachings to meet the special needs of children with disabilities.  The approach is non-competitive and provides a foundation for building trust and self-confidence.  Volunteers assist the Yoga instructor with various yoga activities as directed on a case-by-case basis.  Volunteers assist with room preparation by helping to set up and put away yoga mats & pillows. 

OT/PT/Speech Therapy KCRC:  Volunteers assist staff and pediatric outpatients/ inpatients receiving Physical/Occupational Therapy Services with patient care activities and routine unit activities.  An excellent opportunity to observe and learn about pediatric Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy.

Hours:  Monday– Friday, 9 AM–5 PM (shifts vary)