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Volunteer

Volunteering at NCH

At Endeavor – Northwest Community Hospital volunteers serve a vital role in assisting our patients, families and staff. We have approximately 300 active individuals volunteering their time and talent by working in over 40 different departments throughout the hospital and off-site locations.

Volunteer positions are entry level and support staff in a variety of different ways. Adult volunteers are always welcome. Student volunteers need to be 16 years of age or older and able to commit to volunteering once a week during a consistent day and time for a minimum of 50 hours per semester or 30 hours in the summer. Positions are available seven days a week with a variety of shifts. Evening and weekend positions are in high demand and generally have less availability.

Every effort is made to match volunteers with opportunities based upon their interests, talents and availability. Assignments do change often and not every position is always available.

Apply

Applications are all processed on-line. Application links will direct you to MyImpactPage.com to create an account. Please choose from the options on the right to get started.

On-Boarding Roadmaps

The process to become an on-boarded volunteer entails numerous steps and takes an average of 3-6 weeks to complete.

Roadmaps have been created to visually help applicants understand the steps and process involved.

Vaccinations

The following vaccinations are required for all applicants (adults and students) in order to volunteer.

  • MMR – Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German Measles) – Series of 2 shots
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox) or Shingles for adults – Series of 2 shots
  • Dtap/Tdap – Diptheria, Tenanus, Pertusis (Whooping Cough) – 1 shot
  • Influenza (Flu) – Required annually (October thru April) – 1 shot
General Opportunities

This list includes our general areas and opportunities. Additional opportunities not listed may also be available. Availability varies between positions.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Assist with administrative office projects such as copying, filing, special events and data entry. Intermediate computer skills are needed in Microsoft Office specifically Excel and Word.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:

  • High attention to detail.
  • Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
  • Intermediate computing and applications on Microsoft Products.

SHIFT TIMES:

2-3 hours during regular business hours (i.e. Mon-Fri 8am-4pm).

LOCATION:

Main Hospital Campus (800 W. Central Road, AH)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Animal Assisted Therapy program provides dog assisted therapy and visitation to reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness, while increasing social interactions, communication, and a general feeling of well-being to patients.

Volunteer handlers need to pass an evaluation and three-day training sessions to become certified with Alliance of Therapy dogs. These sessions evaluate the dog’s temperament and handler’s skills. Hander and dog teams visit with patients upon request in just about any part of the hospital seven days a week during scheduled shifts. The visit will usually last about five or 10 minutes and are performed one at a time.

During the visit the handler will facilitate a conversation with the patient and encourage them to pet their dog. Visits decrease isolation and provide a distraction to the patients and families.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:

  • Enjoy talking to people.
  • Ability to encourage conversation with strangers and learn their stories.
  • Dogs are evaluated during a two-hour temperament and obedience evaluation by an independent third-party professional dog trainer.
  • Attend a three-day training course at the hospital that includes mock trainer supervised patient visits, briefing on hospital policies and proper infection control practices.
  • Dog should be in good health, obedient, enjoy people and get along with other dogs.
  • Dog should be able to perform commands without treats as a reward.
  • Be up to date on vaccinations including rabies.

SHIFTS:

Sunday 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Monday 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Wednesday 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Thursday 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Friday 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Saturday 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Volunteers in the Breast Centers welcome and provide assistance to patients.

  • Welcome and greet patients
  • Assist patients with dressing room which includes assigning and help with lockers
  • Help keep waiting areas stocked and tidy
  • Provide improved patient experience with excellent customer service
  • Assist staff as needed

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Adult females only. Exceptional communication skills with all age levels including patients, guests and staff. Professional and welcoming. Ability to walk and stand for duration of shift.

SHIFT TIMES:

3-4 hour shifts on weekdays during regular business hours.

LOCATION:

Main Hospital – Busse Center 3rd Floor / Women’s Center (880 W. Central Road, AH)
Buffalo Grove breast Center (15 S. McHenry Rd, Buffalo Grove)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Assist customers with transactions in the hospital Gift Shop.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:

  • Adults only.
  • Ability to handle monetary transactions (i.e. cash and credit card).
  • Pleasant, friendly and helpful customer service attitude.
  • Ability to multi-task and maintain a calm and professional demeanor.
  • Must be able to stand for duration of shift.

SHIFT TIMES:

3-4 hour shifts on weekdays during regular business hours.

LOCATION:

Main Hospital Campus (800 W. Central Road, AH)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Volunteers assisting with Hand Hygiene Observations walk around the hospital units as a “secret” observer to monitor hand hygiene compliance by all staff.

  • Understand hand hygiene procedures and policies, isolation procedures and PPE (personal protective equipment) use.
  • Record hand hygiene observation on the appropriate form accurately and honestly.
  • Assist Infection Prevention with recording compliance.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Students and Adults.

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time. Exceptional communication skills with all age levels including patients, guests and staff. Professional and welcoming. Ability to walk and stand for duration of shift. Computer skills are required to enter data into on-line program. Data needs to be entered after shift before leaving the hospital. Data can’t be entered from home.

SHIFT TIMES:

2-3 hour shifts on weekends.

LOCATION:

Main Hospital – Main Hospital Entrance (Door #4) 800 W. Central Road, AH

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

NCH has several entrances including Main Entrance, Busse Entrance and Emergency Entrance.

  • Greets visitors upon entry in a friendly manner.
  • Distribute badges to visitors going to inpatient areas.
  • Provides patient room assignments to visitors via NCH computer patient database.
  • Directs visitors to their intended destination by using the hospital map as a reference.
  • Accurately answers questions in person or over the phone.
  • Transports or discharges patients via wheelchair throughout NCH or to an exit to wait for their transportation. (High School Students)
  • Accepts and delivers packages (i.e. flower deliveries and greeting cards).
  • Maintains general knowledge of the range of programs and services offered at NCH.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:

  • Pleasant, friendly and helpful customer service attitude.
  • Exceptional verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to multi-task and maintain a calm and professional demeanor in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to use a computer to retrieve data.

SHIFT TIMES:

4 hour shifts are available 7 days a week. Shifts vary from 7am-8pm.

LOCATION:

Main Hospital Campus (800 W. Central Road, AH)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The main role of volunteers in the Outpatient Care Centers are to provide assistance to patients as well as the laboratory staff.

  • Welcome and greet patients
  • Assist registration staff with checking-in patients
  • Walking escort for patients who may need assistance to locating areas within the building.
  • Help keep waiting areas tidy
  • Assist staff as needed

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:

  • Exceptional communication skills with all age levels including patients, guests and staff.
  • Exceptional organizational skills
  • Professional and welcoming.
  • Attention to detail.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to sit for long periods of time. Ability to stand and walk around unit.

SHIFT TIMES:

4 hour shifts are available M-F in am. Location is closed from 12-1

LOCATION:

Buffalo Grove Outpatient Care Center (15 McHenry Rd, Buffalo Grove)
Kildeer Outpatient Care Center (21481 North Rand Rd, Kildeer)
Mount Prospect Outpatient Care Center (199 West Rand Rd, Mount Prospect)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The main role of volunteers in the Outpatient Lab is to welcome and provide assistance to patients as well as the laboratory staff.

  • Welcome and greet patients
  • Answer phones
  • Help keep waiting areas stocked and tidy
  • Provide improved patient experience with excellent customer service
  • Assist staff as needed
  • Walk specimens to Core

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:

  • Exceptional communication skills with all age levels including patients, guests and staff.
  • Professional and welcoming.
  • Monitor and assess surroundings and take initiative to call for assistance.

SHIFT TIMES:

4 hour shifts are available M-F in am. Location is closed from 12-1

LOCATION:

Main Hospital – Busse Center (880 W. Central Road, AH)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The main role of volunteers in the PACC unit is to monitor guest entry into and exit from the unit, support unit staff in restocking supplies, and readying patient treatment rooms as necessary. Volunteers in this position are required to get a fingerprint background check.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

  • Exceptional communication skills with all age levels including patients, guests and staff
  • Professional and welcoming attitude and demeanor.
  • Monitor and assess surroundings and take initiative to assist.

SHIFT TIMES:

Monday – Thursday 12PM – 4PM; 4PM – 8PM
Friday 12PM – 4PM; 4PM -8 PM; 8PM -11PM
Saturday 8AM – 12PM; 12PM – 4PM; 4PM – 8PM; 8PM – 11PM
Sunday 8AM – 12PM; 12PM – 4 PM; 4PM -8PM

LOCATION:

Main Hospital – Independent unit adjacent to the Emergency Room.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The main role of volunteers in the Physical Therapy unit is to assist the staff in providing a safe and clean environment for the patients. Most tasks involve helping the staff maintain a consistent and efficient work flow.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

  • Exceptional communication skills with all age levels including patients, guests and staff.
  • Professional, welcoming and able to convey a strong willingness to help.
  • Monitor and assess surroundings and take initiative to ensure a safe environment.

SHIFT TIMES (Vary by Location and Day of the Week)

Monday – Thursdays day and evening hour shifts
Most evening hour shifts run from 4 to 6:30 pm and are only available on designated weekdays

LOCATIONS:

Buffalo Grove Outpatient Care Center (15 McHenry Rd, Buffalo Grove)
Harper Outpatient Care Center (1200 West Algonquin Rd, Building M, Palatine)
Kildeer Outpatient Care Center (21481 North Rand Rd, Kildeer)
Mount Prospect Outpatient Care Center (199 West Rand Rd, Mount Prospect)
Wellness Center on the Main Hospital Campus (900 West Central Road, AH)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The main role of volunteers in Radiation Oncology is to welcome and provide assistance to patients.

  • Welcome and greet patients
  • Escort patients to treatment and waiting areas
  • Assist with placing patients in exam rooms
  • Help keep waiting areas stocked and tidy
  • Engage patients and visitors in conversation
  • Provide improved patient experience with excellent customer service
  • Assist staff as needed

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:

  • Exceptional communication skills with all age levels including patients, guests and staff
  • Professional and welcoming.
  • Monitor and assess surroundings and take initiative to call for assistance

SHIFT TIMES:

4 hour shifts are available M-F in am and pm shift times. Location is closed from 12-1

LOCATION:

Main Hospital Campus (800 W. Central Road, AH)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Assist patients and visitors with wheelchair transports throughout the hospital. This may include inpatients being discharged, patient’s post-surgery or procedures, visitors, etc.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & ABILITIES:

  • Physical ability to sit and stand for periods of 4 hours or more.
  • Able to walk the length of the hospital corridors.
  • Able to safely transport guests by wheelchair for periods of 4 hours or more.

SHIFT TIMES:

4 hour shifts, available 7 days a week. Shift times vary between 8am-8pm. (i.e. 8am-12pm, 10am-2pm, 12-4pm, 1-5pm, 4-8pm)

LOCATION:

Main Hospital Campus (800 W. Central Road, AH)