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Volunteers

Volunteer at Mary Washington Healthcare

Make a Difference in the Lives of Our Patients and Their Families

Volunteers at Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families every day. Our volunteers are a diverse, compassionate group of individuals who generously give thousands of hours each year with a common goal of supporting the health system in its mission to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve. Volunteers may choose to serve at Mary Washington Hospital, Stafford Hospital, or both!

Colleen and Bert, Stroke Connect Volunteers in action.

Volunteers in red vests

What Do Volunteers Do?

  • Provide compassion and comfort to patients and their families
  • Escort patients and visitors to their destinations
  • Support staff with non-clinical tasks on nursing units
  • Assist staff with general office duties
  • Act as a resource to patients, families, guests, and staff

What Are the Rewards for Volunteering at Mary Washington Healthcare?

  • The satisfaction of doing something for others
  • The opportunity to share your skills and learn new ones
  • Making a difference by serving our community
  • The enjoyment of making new friends and having fun!

What are the Requirements to Volunteer?

  • Be 18 years or older (see Junior Volunteer below for ages 14-17)
  • Commit to a minimum of one shift per week for at least six months of continuous service
  • Be in good general physical and mental health
  • Have no criminal record
  • Complete the appropriate volunteer application (links below)
  • Interview with a member of the Volunteer Services staff
  • Attend a group orientation session

MWHC’s service-based volunteer program helps meet the needs of patients, patient families, and staff. It is not a job-training program, an internship, nor does it provide medical shadowing. We do not accept court-ordered placements.

Mary Washington Hospital Volunteer Services Office - 540.741.1440
Stafford Hospital Volunteer Services Office - 540.741.9660

Click on the appropriate link below to learn more about volunteering and to complete an application.

MWHC Adult Volunteer Program

Volunteering at Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) is a wonderful way to serve others in a meaningful manner while enjoying the camaraderie of working with other volunteers and health care professionals. The Adult Volunteer Program promotes exceptional customer service by developing and maintaining an efficient corps of volunteers to deliver an extra dimension of quality care that exceeds the expectations of patients, families, and visitors served.

Qualities of a successful MWHC Volunteer include:

  • Sincere interest in helping patients, families, and visitors
  • Warmth and empathy toward others
  • Willingness to accept and practice hospital policies and procedures
  • Promptness and dependability
  • Desire to learn and accept supervision
  • Professional and positive attitude
  • Commitment to maintaining patient dignity and confidentiality at all times

Volunteers provide needed assistance to clinical and operational staff as well as to our patients and their families. Service areas include but are not limited to:

  • Patient Escorts - escorting patients to their destination upon admission and assisting via wheelchair upon discharge
  • Way Finders - helping our visitors find their way and providing general information
  • Clinical support - providing an extra set of hands to our clinical teams
  • Waiting room ambassadors - keeping family members informed about their loved ones’ progress
  • Customer service in one of our hospital Gift Shops
  • And many other rewarding experiences

To be eligible for consideration in the NICU Volunteer Cuddler Program, candidates must first volunteer in another capacity at either MWH or SH for a minimum of 60 hours over a period of six months. Annually, NICU Leadership will extend an invitation to existing volunteers to apply.

APPLY ONLINE for the MWHC Adult Volunteer Program.

MWHC College Student Volunteer Program

Applications are accepted during the months of April/May for summer session; August/September for fall semester; and December/January for spring semester.​

Volunteering at Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) is a wonderful way to serve others in a meaningful manner, in addition to becoming exposed to the many career opportunities offered in a healthcare setting. We appreciate your interest in serving the patients at MWHC and look forward to working with you on your volunteer journey!

What is the Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) College Student Volunteer Program?

Student volunteers provide needed assistance to clinical and operational staff as well as to our patients and their families. The College Student Volunteer Program works to make your volunteer experience a valuable asset toward career goals, regardless of what your specific career choice might be. Our various positions offer opportunities for students to explore clinical settings, business operations, and the extremely important role of customer service in a health care environment.*

Upon completion of the program, students will have extensive experience that can be used when applying for jobs, internships and applying to further education.

What opportunities are available?

Once accepted into the program, you will work with MWHC Volunteer Services staff to be placed in a service area based on your availability, interest and current needs of the organization. Here is a list of some of the current volunteer opportunities:

  • Patient Escorts - escorting patients to their destination upon admission and assisting via wheelchair upon discharge
  • Way Finders - helping our visitors find their way and providing general information
  • Clinical support - providing an extra set of hands to our clinical teams
  • Waiting room ambassadors - keeping family members informed on their loved ones’ progress
  • Customer service in one of hospital Gift Shops
  • And many other rewarding experiences.

What is the expected commitment?

As a hospital volunteer, you will be expected to complete a minimum of 60 hours per school year. This will amount to approximately three hours per week and can be scheduled to best fit your academic calendar. In addition to the time commitment, volunteers are to be prompt, courteous, and in good attendance each week for the duration of the semester. (You are not expected to work over breaks or holidays but we do ask that you notify staff in advance of these breaks.)

Does it cost anything to be a volunteer?

The only monetary cost is that of the uniform jacket or vest at $20 each. We also require a regular contribution of smiles and compassion.

How does the process work?

The application process serves as a means for selecting the most qualified students for the program. Completed applications will be reviewed and qualified candidates will be called for an individual interview. Candidates who meet all of the requirements will then be invited to attend a mandatory orientation.

For additional information, call Heather Eades at 540.741.1440.

Click here to apply for the MWHC College Student Volunteer Program.

*MWHC’s College Student Volunteer Program is not meant for the purpose of required clinical hours nor is it a promise for future paid employment at MWHC.

MWHC Summer Junior Volunteer Program

The Junior Volunteer Program strives to introduce local high school students to the diverse career opportunities within Mary Washington Healthcare and to experience the satisfaction from serving others while developing a sense of civic responsibility. To be eligible for our year-round teen program, you must first complete a successful five week session in our Summer Junior Volunteer Program.

Guidelines

  • Participation is open to local students genuinely interested in giving excellent service to patients, families, staff and visitors of Mary Washington Healthcare. In keeping with MWHC’s focus on community, preference will be given to students residing in and attending high school in MWHC’s primary service area.
  • Junior Volunteers must be between the ages of 14-17 and currently attending high school. Due to the popularity of the program and space limitations, we are unable to accept those who are currently in 8th grade or 2019 graduating seniors.
  • Applicant must have a good scholastic average and acceptable attendance record.
  • Junior Volunteers must be available to commit fully to one of the two week sessions listed in the information packet. If you know in advance that you will be attending summer camp, traveling out of town, or unavailable to fulfill the time requirements, please do not apply.
  • Selected applicants MUST attend the mandatory orientation.

Please check back early next year for 2020 applications.

Community Groups and Jared Boxes

Community Groups

Is your group interested in doing a service project to support patients in one of our facilities? Our primary concern is for the privacy, health, and comfort of our patients, so we ask that you first contact Volunteer Services to talk through how your group can best support our charitable mission. Download a list of ideas for service projects and care packages. If your group is interested in learning more, please call Volunteer Services at Mary Washington Hospital (540.741.1440) or Stafford Hospital (540.741.9660).

Jared Boxes

Mary Washington Healthcare participates in the Jared Box Project. A Jared Box is a small plastic storage box filled with toys, games, and activities to help lift the spirits and calm the nerves of our youngest patients. To help support this mission, please click here for a suggested toy list. For more information please contact Cherri Mills at Cherri.Mills@mwhc.com or 540.741.3269.

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