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SPECIAL EVENTS!!
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Gettysburg Hospital Red Cross Volunteering – Priceless!! Did you know that one of the longest running Adams County American Red Cross volunteer activities is serving an important role in assisting Gettysburg Hospital to fulfill its mission? The Gettysburg Hospital serves the communities of Adams County and northern Maryland as a comprehensive health-care provider for people all across the region. That includes those who live, work, travel and vacation in Adams County and Northern Maryland. At present, over 100 part time and full time hospital volunteers perform a variety of duties with 25 of these volunteers being American Red Cross volunteers. In December 2004, volunteers worked 1,139 hours and in January 2005 records show 1,063 hours volunteered. What do the Red Cross volunteers do? The volunteer desk located near the Radiology department is staffed on weekdays with one, two or three volunteers. Calls come in from the laboratory to transport time critical specimens from nursing stations to the laboratory throughout the day. Currently the Lab is looking for volunteers to alphabetize the Lab slips. In processing patients may need an identification plate delivered. Flowers are delivered to the volunteer desk at all hours of the day, and they are delivered to patient rooms. At times, patients need to be transported via wheelchair, to departments, to and from beds, admission and discharge from the hospital. Local newspapers are provided twice daily and are delivered to patient areas and various departments throughout all three of the hospital floors. Simply put, the phone never stops ringing. Who volunteers? Many types of individuals volunteer, including college students and adults exploring careers, retirees, couples with families wanting to keep active in their community with their compassion and knowledge, and former patients who want to “give back.” From a few hours a day to full days every week, Red Cross volunteers and their smiles are seen throughout the hospital. What can you do as a volunteer? Your assignment will depend on your interests, availability, skills or experience. Assignments are available at Gettysburg Hospital and several off site facilities. A sampling includes:
Will you receive training? Training is a vital part of the volunteer experience. A general orientation is given to familiarize you with the Gettysburg Hospital; you will receive specialized (on the job) training for your volunteer position. Additionally, health screenings are required for all positions. Will you qualify? Well, you must be at least 17 years of age. Applicants should be dependable, responsible, willing to make a firm commitment of service and adhere to the policies and procedures of the American Red Cross and WellSpan. How do you apply to be a Red Cross Volunteer? The Adams County American Red Cross office works in concert with the Volunteer Services office of the hospital. If you are interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer, call the Red Cross office (717) 334-1814, or the Volunteer Services office at Gettysburg Hospital (717) 338-3233 to receive a volunteer application. Volunteers are indeed “priceless” to the patients as well as the many professional and staff employees of the Gettysburg Hospital. Volunteers literally save physicians, nurses and technicians thousands of hours a year in their daily service. With the well-known and proud Red Cross reputation for providing humanitarian care and services and helping people be safer, healthier and more self-reliant within their communities, more hospital volunteers are always needed and greatly appreciated. Ron Tucker is a local volunteer with the American Red Cross and is currently a Hospital and Financial Development Volunteer with the Adams County Unit. |