Allina Health makes gifts of time really count for volunteers
“We have so many awesome coworkers who help us welcome volunteers and show them how they can make a real difference at Allina Health,” said Beth Jennings, volunteer services specialist.
She says that’s where volunteer supervisors like Charlie Srock play a vital role, acting as matchmakers of sorts.
“My job is to collaborate with our care team members to find out what they need and then match them with volunteers to help with those needs,” Charlie said. “When it works, everyone benefits.”
Charlie says the key is finding Allina Health care team members who want to partner with volunteers.
“Good things happen when we can identify someone who really understands and embraces working with volunteers,” Beth said. “We call those folks ‘volunteer champions.’”
Among them is Cheryl Wright, RN, a patient care manager at Allina Health Abbott Northwestern Hospital, who began her health care career as a volunteer and understands the role from both sides.
“I see volunteers as essential members of the health care team,” Cheryl said. “They're often doing things to free up health care providers, allowing us to be there at the side of the bed.”
Charlie understands what Cheryl’s team needs in a volunteer. When he finds a person who’s a good fit for her group, he helps them through the onboarding process and works with Cheryl to build a schedule.
But support doesn’t end there. After the volunteer starts work, Charlie stays in touch to make sure they’re happy and feeling fulfilled. Meanwhile, Cheryl is doing the same thing within the unit, acting as the volunteer’s primary point of contact.
“My hope for them is that they feel like they're being helpful and learning some skills,” Cheryl said. “So that it's a rewarding experience, and they’re getting something back from volunteering.”
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