Upon entering the hospital the blue jackets of the volunteers can be found doing a variety of activities. You will see volunteers escorting or transporting patients to and from their destinations. The gift shop is operated by volunteers, as are other fundraising activities. They can be seen transporting equipment and supplies or taking special dietary orders to the nursing stations. Some are working on computers; others are assembling patient charts or packets of materials for mailing or use within the medical center, or inventorying and restocking supplies. In all, there are over 100 opportunities for volunteering at Adventist Medical Center.

The opportunities to be of service come in all sizes, shapes and times. There are activities that require physical exertion and others in which one can remain seated most of the time. There are opportunities in retail sales and working in merchandise. Volunteers operate the Rose Petal Gift Shop, the Mama's Shoppe, and other fundraising sales. Activities require a variety of experience. Some only require a willingness to learn the procedures in place and others need someone with considerable experience in that area.

The service environments are as varied as the activities. They range from areas that are quiet where you work almost alone, to areas where people are constantly coming and going, as well as working with large groups of people. Some volunteers even carry out activities outside the medical center.

The amount of time contributed is adjustable to one's availability and the needs of the service activity.

Most volunteers spend at least four hours a week. Many volunteers come in several days a week. There is always a need for individuals that can come in on call to work on a special task or project.

The volunteer staff willingly works with each volunteer to find an area that they will enjoy and are qualified to do. Some positions have special physical requirements for which not every one is qualified. As new areas of interest present themselves, the volunteer staff will help the volunteers make changes that will allow them to experience new challenges and feel productive and satisfied with their contribution.

Most volunteers began their service experience as part of the escort team. Escorts transfer items of all types throughout the hospital and adjacent office buildings. This activity gives a wide variety of experiences and helps develop a familiarity with the medical center facility and its functions. While this activity may involve walking, each volunteer sets a pace at which they feel comfortable. After spending time as an escort, some volunteers move on to new areas, while others stay because they find that the variety, friends and exercise they experience meets their special needs.

Escort/Transport Team
In many cases, the first volunteer patients meet are the members of the escort/transport team. The desk from which they operate is located just inside the front entrance. Request are called in to this desk from throughout the medical center. Based on these requests, volunteers escort patients and transport needed supplies, records, equipment, food and flowers to their destination of need.

Gift Shops Team
Many volunteers enjoy each of the gift shops' wide variety of items. The volunteers help patients and families find specialty items, personal items and cards that can encourage a good recovery. They also assist in special sales, stock shelves and help maintain the condition of the shop in the Rose Petal and Mama Shoppe. Volunteers are frequently asked to give input on what items should be included in the inventory. In many cases, volunteers greet customers and assist them in making the sale.

Surgery Waiting Area
The surgery waiting area provides a much needed space for families and friends to wait while their loved one is in surgery. Comfortable seating is provided with reading material and games. Volunteers maintain a hot beverage service, keep track of the patients' status and the location of the family. During the surgery, they act as a liaison from the recovery staff to the waiting family and visitors. When surgery is over, volunteers assist the doctors in finding the family to communicate the outcome.

Fundraisers
Throughout the year assorted activities that meet needs and may add funds to make the healing process more positive take place. Social activities such as travel events may contribute to these funds. The monthly Mountain Man sale of dried fruit, nuts and candies is looked forward to by many as a means of replenishing their supply of goodies. A poinsettia sale contributes in the winter months. Volunteers, some working regularly and others working as needed, are the lifeline of all these special events.

Department Assistants
Many of the departments in a medical center have tasks that can be carried out successfully without having formal medical training. Some of the activities that are enjoyed in these positions include: filing records, replacing supplies and updating computer data. Others enjoy arranging equipment, padding forms, placing stickers on supplies, breaking down boxes or transporting X-ray files to the adjacent office buildings. Most important, the volunteer services department works with all of the volunteers to find them a place that they belong and enjoy what they're doing.

Many of the other departments where services is provided are listed below:

• Adjunctive Therapy
• Cardiac Rehab
• CareMark Behavioral Health Services
• CCU
• Central Processing
• Mail Courier
• Diabetes Education
• Doctor Luncheon
• Environmental Services
• Graphics
• Health Information Systems
• Heart Improvement Program
• Mailroom Charts
• Mammography
• Medical Staff Affairs
• Pastoral Care
• Pharmacy
• Project Group
• Psych Units
• Radiology
• Short Stay
• Vancouver Clinic
• Volunteer Office
• Wellness & Rehab Services

As you can see, there are a wide variety of opportunities for a volunteer to be of service.