Summer Junior Program

Assignments

There are many different assignments in the Summer Junior Program, and volunteers will be asked to select a first, second, third and fourth choice. We think it is important that volunteers have the right to choose what they would – and would not – like to do, and that they have enough information to make these decisions. Although all volunteer assignments are based primarily on the needs and best interests of the patients and the UConn Health Center, every effort will be made to give volunteers the assignments they prefer, with those volunteers who worked satisfactorily during 2005 receiving first consideration, provided their application is received in the Volunteer Office no later than May 19. The Volunteer Office, however, reserves the right to make the final choice of assignment for the volunteer.

The following is a description of the assignments, divided into categories to make it easier to choose. More information will be provided in the personal interview.

In thinking about assignment choices, it is helpful for volunteers to consider:

1. Career interests and what they would like to learn from the summer experience.
2. How comfortable they are in making conversation with older people they do not know.
3. If they enjoy clerical work and like to sit down to a quiet task.
4. If they are energetic and like to be on the move a lot.

Our most difficult and challenging assignments are those in which volunteers become very involved with patients. The abilities to handle anxiety and stress, and to relate easily to strangers are important qualifications along with maturity and sensitivity.

Patient Care Units - Future nurses, physicians, social workers, and chaplains will be attracted by this direct patient contact job. Volunteers are assigned to an inpatient unit where they get to know the staff and patients by helping to provide non-medical personal assistance to patients and clerical assistance to the unit secretary. Making beds, assembling charts, filing, delivering water, mail, flowers, and running errands are included in this job. This assignment can use more volunteers than any other assignment in the summer program; however, students who choose patient units should be comfortable talking with patients who may be very sick and enjoy clerical work too. In addition to the general orientation, a three and one half-hour class is required for participation in this program. Please refer to “Training” for scheduled date, page 1. You must be 15 years of age to volunteer on a Patient Care Unit.

Procedures Center – Volunteers assist day surgical patients and their waiting families by escorting patients to and from the Operating Room, serving snacks, running errands, and providing information to waiting relatives in this busy area. Clerical assistance to the staff is a vital part of this assignment. You must be 15 years of age to volunteer in the Procedures Center.

The next two assignments are for volunteers who would like patient contact but would also like a structured schedule with specific tasks to do.

Ambassador Services – Volunteers will assist in accompanying and transporting patients from one area to another, running errands, delivering patient mail, and flowers, visiting with patients, stuffing envelopes, delivering specimens to the laboratory when necessary, and generally assisting the Information Desk Volunteers in the Main Lobby with their duties. You must be 15 years of age to volunteer in Ambassador Services.

Ambulatory Aide – In medical outpatient areas and doctors' offices, volunteers who prefer close supervision will learn about medical care while helping with a variety of routine tasks such as counting supplies, clerical work, running errands, filing, transporting patients, telephoning, and talking with patients. Openings are limited. Maturity is essential for this responsible position.

This category of assignments is for volunteers who are more interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of the hospital than in patient contact.

Dental Clinics – Positions are available in various areas of the Dental Clinics, depending on the volunteer's background and interest. Positions can often be arranged in dental reception, packaging materials, or in the dispensing room.

Gift Shop – Volunteers interested in retailing would enjoy duties in the Gift Shop that includes selling, stocking, and wrapping.

Mail Room – Volunteers will assist staff in postage metering, and sorting mail for Health Center Staff.

Office Volunteer – Volunteers with business and secretarial interests will be assigned to an office where they can learn hospital terminology and practice a variety of clerical skills such as typing, data entry, filing, mail preparation, working on a personal computer, photocopying, and/or telephone reception. Positions are available without typing.