Volunteers - Oakwood Healthcare System

STEP UP!
Be an Oakwood Volunteer. Be Committed! Be Connected!
Volunteers at Oakwood are seriously committed to assisting in making hospital visits and patient stays comfortable and stress free. Our volunteer core is committed to excellence by meeting service area expectations and understanding the vital connection to the success of Oakwood. We strive for excellence in all facets of the organization and value the outstanding work of all of Oakwood's select volunteers.

Oakwood Healthcare System is a true leader in volunteerism and we are proud to maintain one of the largest healthcare volunteer programs in the State of Michigan. We provide support, assistance and a helping hand to our patients and their families thanks to the more than 1,000 men, women and students who serve as Oakwood volunteers on a monthly basis.

Becoming a Volunteer
The Mission of Oakwood is to provide excellence in care, healing and health to the individuals and communities we serve, therefore, the process to become an Oakwood volunteer is very thorough in scope.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Oakwood please read through all of our information carefully to make sure you are serious and committed to our program.

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Volunteer Application Process

Submission of a Volunteer Application Online
Completion of a Criminal Background Check (done by Oakwood Volunteer Services)
Invitation by Oakwood Volunteer Services to Interview
- Applicants must bring additional/supporting materials to Interview:

Documentation of Proof of Immunizations for (or verification of having had) MMR, also known as: Rubeola (Measles), Rubella (German Measles), Mumps & Varicella (Chicken Pox) Applicable to those born during or after 1957.
2 Volunteer Reference Forms
Copy of School Transcripts (for all students)
Young Adult Volunteer School Reference Form from a Counselor or Teacher (for all students)
Young Adult Volunteer Parental / Legal Guardian Consent Form (for Applicants under the age of 18)

Acceptance into the Volunteer Program and Placement into a Volunteer Service Area is based on Application, Interview, and current Volunteer Service Area Opportunities. Determination will be made following the Interview.

TB testing information will be given at end of Interview

Invitation to a Volunteer Orientation

Please note that Oakwood requires volunteers to make a minimum commitment of 6 months and a minimum commitment of 100 hours within those 6 months, (one, 4-hour shift per week).

Volunteer opportunities include:

Providing patient companionship
Spiritual Support
Greeting and directing patients/visitors
Interacting with patients/visitors/staff through our gift shops
Delivering DVDs, CDs and personal players through our Guest Service Program
Performing clerical duties
Taking part in special events and promotions
Assisting at health screenings, immunization clinics, health fairs and flu shot clinics
Search for a position online

Young Adult Volunteer Program
The Young Adult Volunteer Program is open to high school-aged students in grades 10-12. We currently do not have volunteer opportunities available for individuals who have not yet completed 9th grade.

The application process for Young Adult Volunteers Program applicants does not differ from that of the Adult Volunteer Program. Interested applicants may apply online. The orientation for Young Adult Volunteer Program participants is more extensive. In addition to the standard topics, the Young Adult Volunteer Program orientation includes educational modules that focus on the areas of service excellence, telephone etiquette and understanding expectation of patients, visitors and staff.

Due to the large volume of high school-aged volunteer applicants, Young Adult Volunteer Program opportunities are limited. To find out what programs are currently open to Young Adult Volunteer Program participants at the site near you, contact the applicable site representative located on the right-hand side of this page.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the staff-intensive orientation and training involved, Young Adult Volunteer Program participants must commit to a minimum of 6 months and a minimum commitment of 100 hours within those 6 months (one, 4-hour shift per week). Letters verifying volunteer service and/or the number of volunteer hours may only be requested after the minimum requirements have been completed. The Volunteer Services office reserves the right to deny verification of hours if the minimum requirements are not met.

Competitive Student Volunteer Scholarship
Launched in 2002 through the coordinated efforts of Oakwood Healthcare System Volunteer Council members, the Volunteer Scholarship Fund is designed to assist select high school student volunteer in furthering their education. The Fund offers financial support for students who support Oakwood and its community through their efforts.

Please download the Student Volunteer Scholarship Award Brochure for more information on the competitive Student Volunteer Scholarship Award, including eligibility requirements, criteria specifics, and deadline information.

Volunteer "Benefits"
Though we do not provide our volunteers with a paycheck, we do provide a number of other “benefits” designed to reflect Oakwood’s appreciation, recognition, and respect for the service provided on behalf of our patients, families, visitors, and staff. The benefits include:

Discounts for a wide variety of goods and services available for volunteers and employees through the Spirits and Festivities program.
Recognition for service at the annual Volunteer Recognition Event, through the BRAVO program, at site-sponsored events and through volunteer award submissions.
Free annual flu shots
Free snack after qualifying service at any of our four acute facilities
Discounts in our gift shops.
Free parking (where applicable)