The Volunteer Services Program is an organization of caring individuals, many of whom assist in the daily operation of Mercy Hospital.
The rewards of volunteer service are many. Volunteers enjoy a sense of satisfaction and the feeling that they are making a valuable contribution to the community.
Auxiliary membership
- Unity Auxiliary is the service organization of the Hospital. All active volunteers are members of the Unity Auxiliary.
- Associate Auxiliary members do not volunteer in the hospital but support our organization. They pay annual membership dues of $10.
Commitment
- Volunteers are asked to work one 4-hour shift every two weeks in a service area of their choice at a time convenient to them.
- This is our minimum requirement; volunteers may work more often if they wish.
- We offer three 4-hour shifts each day, seven days a week 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; 1 – 5 p.m. and 5 – 9 p.m.
Requirements
- Fill out a Volunteer application form.
- Attend an orientation meeting held at Unity Hospital to learn more about our program.
- Fill out a Criminal Background Study Form as mandated by the Vulnerable Adult Act.
- Complete health requirements (Mantoux test, MMR documentation).
Service areas
- Allina Health Cancer Institute – Answer phone, basic office tasks, library assistance, visit with patients & families to provide support and information.
- Joint Replacement Center – Assist patients who have had knee or hip replacement surgery with group physical therapy.
- Cardiac Rehabilitation – Assistance patients and visitors in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department, assist with telephone calls.
- Emergency Department – Assist staff and run errands.
- Gift Shop - Handle merchandise sales for visitors and hospital staff.
- ICU Family Lounge – Assist families while they wait or come to visit patients in the ICU/Step-down unit.
- Messenger Service – Assist with deliveries and errands in Unity Hospital; assist with patient discharges.
- Patient Care Floor Station Messenger – Assist staff in an inpatient nursing area doing various errands and assist with patient needs.
- Surgical Services (SARS) – Assist staff, patients and their families during recovery from surgery.
- On-going outreach – provide support to the hospital's on-going outreach program by assisting with sewing, knitting and crocheting various items that make an impact on the comfort of our patients.
- and other areas+