- How old do I have to be to volunteer?
- Where would I volunteer?
- What time of day would I volunteeer?
- How many days a week would I volunteer?
- How do I become a volunteer?
- I have to complete Community Service hours. Will Bethesda accept me as a volunteer?
- Is there a uniform?
- I do not live in South Florida year round. Can I still volunteer?
- Can I pick a certain area of interest?
How old do I have to be to volunteer?
We have a teen program as well as an adult program for volunteering. Teens are ages 14-18 and adults start at 19 years of age and older.
We have volunteers at two locations. Most are at Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach, with a smaller number at Bethesda Health City, near the intersection of Boynton Beach Blvd. and Hagen Ranch Road.
What time of day would I volunteer?
Most positions fall within the range 8:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. The length of time varies from position to position. Some positions require a 4-hour shift with a set time. Other positions are more flexible and can be changed to meet the needs of the volunteer. For example, we realize that adults with full time jobs are hard pressed to put in more than 2 hours a week. Our teens usually work a 2-hour shift, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on school nights.
How many days a week would I volunteer?
The standard volunteer position is 4 hours, once a week. Some volunteers come to the hospital several days a week and some once every two weeks. The amount of time the volunteer would like to give is discussed at the initial interview.
Submit your completed volunteer application to the Volunteer Office at the address on the bottom of the application; or bring it to the hospital during our normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Once the Volunteer Office receives and processes your application, we will set up an interview with you to talk about your talents, our needs, and available times. After attending orientation, the volunteer is ready to begin.
Immunization Records (Effective January 1, 2010): Volunteer applicants born in 1957 and after must submit vaccination records for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella or blood tests showing immunity. Volunteer applicants born in 1986 and after must also show proof of Hepatitis B vaccination or immunity. A copy of these records is sufficient. These records are required before volunteers can attend orientation or start volunteering.
I have to complete Community Service hours; will Bethesda accept me as a volunteer?
We do accept some volunteers who need to complete community service hours. We will need to discuss why the community service hours are required. The safety of the patients at the hospital is always a priority to us.
Yes, Teens wear a teal polo shirt with dark slacks. Adult women wear white slacks and top with a coral jacket. Adult men wear dark slacks with white top and a light blue jacket. Shoes for all volunteers must be closed toe and comfortable. We recommend light colored sneakers or tennis shoes. Volunteers provide their own slacks and tops and can purchase the polo shirts or jackets from the volunteer office.
I do not live in South Florida year round. Can I still volunteer?
Or, "I live in South Florida year round but I take trips up north to visit relatives and often have company. Can I still volunteer?"
This describes the situation for most people who live in the area. Seasonal people can volunteer at Bethesda. They may not have the same job from year to year, but we welcome them with open arms. We ask that volunteers let us know in advance when they will be out so that we can find substitutes if necessary. Some positions are better suited than others to those who will be away often. We discuss this in the initial interview.
Can I pick a certain area of interest?
Many volunteers 'specialize' in the areas where they work. You might also find that your extensive experience as a patient helps you talk with patients of all types.
In the volunteer office we try to treat each volunteer as a person — recognizing that we are all different and that each individual has a wonderful skill (even two) lurking inside. We would like to help you use your skills in reaching out to others. As volunteers, we reach out to patients, to staff, to visitors and to the community as a whole.
Please come join us — our arms are reaching out to you.