Volunteering at Waikato Hospital

• Volunteer opportunities
• Volunteering FAQs
• Contact details & application form

The Waikato District Health Board supports opportunities for volunteering at Waikato Hospital. Volunteering promotes good health and emotional well being, and sustains and strengthens values of community, caring and sharing.

The philosophy behind volunteering for Health Waikato is:

• Health Waikato believes that volunteers have an integral part to play in the provision of health services
• volunteers do not replace professional services but, through their time, skills and personal interest, bring an additional dimension to the comfort and welfare of patients and visitors, and to the quality of service provided.

Volunteer opportunities

Our volunteer programmes are based at Waikato and Thames hospitals.

	Hospital hosts Hospital hosts provide direction, hospitality and information to patients and visitors. They provide physical and wheelchair assistance to those people who find it difficult to reach clinics and wards. Position description
	St John Friends of the Emergency Department (FEDs) St John FEDS support the work of our staff in the Emergency Department by providing assistance and reassurance to patients. They offer a listening ear and practical help with tasks like phone calls, ensuring people are warm and comfortable, and being a valuable link to staff. St John FEDS are recruited through St John. Please contact the Hamilton branch for application details.
	Chaplaincy assistants Chaplaincy assistants work under the guidance of our hospital chaplains providing pastoral care to inpatients in wards and departments. Please contact the Chaplain's Department, Waikato Hospital, for further information about being a chaplaincy assistant.
	Shuttlebug drivers The Shuttlebug service is part of our campus redevelopment project. Drivers circle the campus on a prescribed route, picking people up and delivering them to main buildings and car park areas. Position description
	Kapai Kidz volunteers Kapai Kidz is a licensed early childcare centre located on one of our children’s wards. Kapai Kidz volunteers assist staff in the provision of activities and learning opportunities for hospitalised children and help provide a safe and inviting child-friendly environment. Position description
	Medical Records volunteers Medical Records volunteers work in the filing areas of departments and assist staff with filing backlogs and other administrative tasks such as photocopying and culling old medical records. Position description
	Volunteers on wards Volunteers on wards provide support, comfort and assistance to inpatients. Position description
	Massage team Members of our volunteer massage team provide a volunteer massage service to patients in specific wards and departments at Waikato Hospital. Position description

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Frequently asked questions

Volunteering is a wonderful way to help others by giving a small amount of time. Waikato and Thames hospitals offer a variety of volunteering opportunities.

• What sort of time commitment do I have to make?

  Most of our positions require a weekly rostered time commitment of three to four hours. The majority of our positions are Mon-Fri and within the hours of 8.30am – 4pm.
  
  Patients, families, visitors and staff must be able to depend on volunteers so we ask for a minimum commitment of at least three months.
  
  Volunteers are asked to volunteer for no more than 16 hours a week. Most volunteers gift four hours of their time once or twice a week.
  
  Volunteers usually take a three to four week break over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Other holidays and leave can be negotiated with the volunteer coordinator.
  
  

• How do I become a volunteer?

  There are three easy steps to becoming a volunteer at Waikato or Thames hospitals:
  
  
1. Contact our volunteer coordinator to discuss what opportunities are currently available. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have about volunteering and to discuss your availability
   
   
2. Complete our application form
   
   
3. Attend a training session and be orientated into your position by staff and / or another volunteer
   

• What training and orientation will I receive?

  Prior to commencing as a volunteer at Waikato Hospital you will be invited to attend a training session. This is usually a morning session lasting approximately three hours (depending on group size). Our training covers such topics as:
  
  
• patient rights
• health and safety - infection control
• volunteer standards and expectations
• wayfinding around the hospital
• privacy and confidentiality
• emergency procedures - security
• event / incident reporting
• relevant hospital policy.
  
  
Our volunteers are also expected to attend a fire training session. Other training opportunities come up throughout the year – these may include things like wheelchair and bed handling.

• Will there be an interview?

  Yes. We need to be sure we are recruiting the right sort of volunteers to meet our needs and ensure our patients and visitors are safe.
  
  We also do a referee and a police check.
  

• Is there a dress code or uniform?

  Different volunteer positions have different requirements. Hospital hosts, Shuttlebug drivers, volunteers on wards, FEDS and our massage team all wear a uniform supplied by us.
  
  Volunteers supply their own black or navy pants and/or skirt. Shoes must be sensible and comfortable with at least a strap around the heel.
  
  You are always clearly identified as a volunteer.
  

• Where do volunteers park when on duty?

  Volunteers are provided with free car-parking when volunteering at Waikato Hospital.
  

• Is there an age limit?

  Our minimum age is 18. We do not have an upper age limit.

• Who will I be working with?

  This depends on the role you are interested in.
  
  Some of our positions require you to work with one or two other volunteers. Other positions require more staff interaction. Most of our positions require you to interact with our visitors and patients.
  

• What benefits do I receive from volunteering at Waikato Hospital?

  You will be joining a great team of wonderful volunteers. We offer:
  
  
• on going training and skill development
• certificates of recognition
• opportunities to get involved in campus activities
• social get-togethers.
  
  
Volunteering can offer new skills, experiences and friends, or help you get back into the workforce.

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Contact details & application form

Volunteering application form

If you would like further information or if you are interested in volunteering at Waikato or Thames hospitals you can email:

volunteer@waikatodhb.govt.nz

Or

telephone Waikato Hospital’s Volunteer Coordinator (07) 839 8899 ext. 6425

Or

write to;  Volunteer Coordinator, Waikato Hospital, Private Bag 3200, Hamilton

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