Community Outreach

Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital and Nursing Center

Larkin Chase Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

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Community Outreach

Volunteer Services

A volunteer is a person who freely chooses to serve others in his or her community and believes that individual involvement makes a difference. At Dimensions Healthcare System, volunteers are welcomed as a significant part of the healthcare team, working with staff to provide quality healthcare services. Below is information on volunteering for two of the facilities of Dimensions Healthcare System.

Volunteering at Laurel Regional Hospital
Volunteering at Prince George's Hospital Center

Volunteering at Laurel Regional Hospital

Mission

The Volunteer Services Department of Laurel Regional Hospital has been established to provide a competent, dependable, and professional Volunteer Program which will support and complement the hospital staff in providing quality care to patients, their families, visitors and the community.

Reasons to Volunteer

At Laurel Regional Hospital, volunteers are welcomed as a significant part of the healthcare team, working with staff to provide quality healthcare and services. There are many reasons to volunteer at Laurel Regional Hospital:

Satisfaction of helping others
Opportunity to use existing skills and develop new skills
Able to share ideas
Explore possible career options
Give back to your community
Meet school requirements for graduation
Retired persons with time on their hands

Volunteers at Laurel Regional Hospital are shown the hospital's appreciation with:

Discounted meals
Active participation in hospital special functions
Free flu shots
Free PPD screenings
Scholarship for teens
Annual recognition

As a volunteer at Laurel Regional Hospital you will have the opportunity to:

Welcome visitors and patients
Comfort families
Support staff, patients, and their families
Assist with general clerical tasks

Escort visitors and patients to appropriate areas Run errands Participate in fund raising events Areas in which to volunteer include, but are not limited to:

Reception areas
Information Desk
Patient Registration
Surgical Waiting
Emergency Waiting
Gift Shop
Thrift Shop
Fund raisers
General clerical areas
Imaging
Physical Therapy
All nursing units
Surgical Services
Emergency Services

Interested in Volunteering? Once you have decided that becoming a volunteer at Laurel Regional Hospital is the right decision for you we ask that you please contact the Director of Volunteer Services at 301-497-7950 or 410-792-2270 ext. 77950. After completing the orientation session, you will then receive job-specific training in the area in which you are assigned. There are a few requirements in order to become a volunteer.

Scholarship for TEENS:

A $1,000 scholarship is available to a high school senior volunTEEN who has been accepted into some field of medicine. The TEEN must have been a volunteer at Laurel Regional Hospital for at least one year. If you are interested in the scholarship please contact the Director of Volunteer Services at 301-497-7950.

Annual Recognition:

During National Volunteer Week in April, an Annual Awards Reception is held for all volunteers.

Reception Areas:

Adult volunteers are assigned to this area, Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (depending on the reception area). The main responsibility is to welcome, escort, give out information and assist as needed with patients, visitors and families.

Gift Shop:

The gift shop is run by Auxiliary adult Volunteers (some TEEN volunteers may be accepted under special circumstances). All profits from the Gift Shop benefit the hospital. Hours for the gift shop vary depending on the day. Responsibilities for working in the gift shop include selling gifts to visitors and restocking or ordering supplies as needed.

Thrift Shop:

The thrift shop is located off-site at 9th and Montgomery Streets in Laurel, MD. It is run by a dedicated group of Auxiliary adult volunteers (some exceptions are made for volunTEENs). The Thrift Shop is open Monday through Saturday, with hours varying. Responsibilities include sorting, pricing, restocking, etc. All profits benefit the hospital.

Fund Raisers:

The Auxiliary adult volunteers work at several different fund raisers held throughout the year. The profits from these events go to the hospital. Fund Raisers for the hospital include:

Jewelry Sale
Sweat/Uniform Sale
Bake Sales
Dinner Theater
Day at the Races
Fashion Show
Tree-of-Lights

General Clerical Areas:

Adult volunteers and volunTEENs are assigned to these areas Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. These departments may include Medical Records, Public Relations, Social Work, etc. Responsibilities include answering the phone, taking messages, filing and alphabetizing, etc.

Imaging:

Adult volunteers and volunTEENs are assigned to this area Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Duties include general clerical work, running errands and escorting patients to appropriate areas.

Physical Therapy:

Adult volunteers and volunTEENs are assigned to this area Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (weekend times may vary). Responsibilities include assisting therapists with patients, gathering equipment and supplies that are needed and escorting patients to appropriate areas.

All Nursing Units:

VolunTEENs are assigned to the nursing units Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Duties vary according to the unit assignment but may include: running errands, visiting with patients, picking up supplies, delivering fresh water and ice to all patients, clerical work as needed and restocking supplies.

Surgical Services, Recovery Room and Pre-Op:

Adult volunteers and some volunTEENs are assigned to this area Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Duties vary according to the assigned area but may include restocking supplies, escorting patients/visitors to the appropriate areas, answering the phones, etc.

Emergency:

Services Adult volunteers and volunTEENs age 16 years and older are assigned to this area Monday through Sunday 8 a.m. to Midnight. Responsibilities in this department include running errands, escorting patients and visitors, restocking supplies, taking specimens to the lab, escorting patients to the floor, making sure they have all their belongings and picking up needed supplies.

Requirements for All Prospective Volunteers:

Must be at least 14 years old
Must attend an orientation/training session before volunteering your services Six orientations are held throughout the year. Three for TEENS and three for adults. January, May/June and September/October.
Two TB tests (PPD) are required for all prospective volunteers.
Must volunteer one-three hours scheduled period on a weekly basis.
Must be dependable, responsible, friendly, willing to learn new things, able to take direction and flexible. If you are interested in volunteering contact the Director of Volunteer Services at 301-497-7950.

Volunteering at Prince George's Hospital Center

Thank you for your interest in volunteering. Here's what you need to know.

Orientation Meeting: All those interested in volunteering are asked to attend an orientation meeting.

When and Where is the Meeting: Meetings are held quarterly run from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. They are held in the Deitz Memorial Auditorium on the first floor of the Hospital. Please contact the Volunteer Information Line at 301-618-3861 to get information about upcoming orientation dates. Please note pre-registration is not required. Just show up and sign-in. We ask that you not register for someone else.

Age Requirement: The Hospital welcomes volunteers of ALL ages, but you must be at least 14 years old to volunteer. Some areas of the Hospital do require that a volunteer be at least 18 years of age.

Teenagers from 14-17 years of age who are interested in the medical field or who want to perform community service are encouraged to apply. See more information about Service Learning below.

Time Commitment: At least four (4) hours a week for a period of six(6) months.

What Needs Can You Fill As a Volunteer: Volunteers are important members of our healthcare team. They brighten patients' hospital stays and help our staff meet the needs of family members and friends of patients. You'll find our volunteers working throughout the hospital. Some areas include:

Central Sterile Processing Office
Information Desk
Medical Surgical Nursing Units
Outpatient Clinics
Patient Transportation
Pediatric Units

There is a need around the clock and every day of the week. When and where a volunteer works depends on each persons interests and the Hospital and patient need.

Service Learning: Volunteers are required to perform 100 hours of volunteer service in the Hospital to earn Community Service Learning credits. Be aware that this is more than what most schools require.

After Orientation: Those interested in volunteering will be required to do the following after the orientation: Get a tuberculosis test (done free at the hospital); meet with the Director of Volunteer Services; receive a volunteer uniform; have a photograph taken (at the Hospital's Security department) for a badge.

Volunteer Benefits: Only you can ultimately decide why you want to volunteer. But we can certainly give you plenty of reasons worth considering:

Friendships are made
New skills are learned
Dreams can come true with new opportunities realized
You can give back to your community.

We want to say thank you by providing all volunteers with free parking, free daily meals in the cafeteria or cafe during your volunteer hours, holiday gifts and annual recognition.

One thing is certain, whatever the reason, once you volunteer with us, you'll be glad you did!

For More Information: Please call the PGHC Volunteer Services recording for updated information at 301-618-3861. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities outside the hospital, contact the Prince George's Volunteer Center at 301-699-2800.

The Prince George's Hospital Center Guild

The Prince George's Hospital Center Guild was formed six months before the hospital opened in 1944 and has been active in fund raising and volunteer efforts ever since. Through the years, the Guild has conducted shoe, art, jewelry, book and flower sales. In their more than 50 years, Guild members have raised more than $2.6 million for the Hospital. Volunteers also work at the patient information desk, and staff the patient shopping cart and library, among other activities.

To join the Guild or for more information, contact the Prince George's Hospital Center Guild at 301-618-3861.

" Community Education
" Dimensions Smoke
Cessation Program
" Faith Community
" Senior Health Center
" Speakers Bureau
" Support Groups
" Volunteer Services