Volunteer Opportunies

Thank you for your interest in the volunteer program at St. Joseph's Area Health Services. Our volunteers play a vital role in fulfilling the Volunteer Philosophy of improving services to our patients and their families, while recognizing that it is a privilege to be of service to others.

If you are interested in sharing your time and talents with our organization, download an application at the left and mail the completed form to:

Department Specific Volunteers work directly within a specific department to assist the staff with various projects and light clerical duties. Organizational skills come into play with this role.

Child Care Volunteers work with the Weight Management Staff to provide on-site child care for LEARN support group participants. If you are inspired by kids, this is the right fit for you.

Greeters at the front desk are people persons. With exceptional organizational skills and a mind to our patient's privacy, the volunteers in this capacity assist the Admitting staff with the registration process, assist patient's and their families with directions, and are often the first friendly face that our guests see upon entering the facility.

Shredders make sure the several hundred pounds of paper that may contain private information is destroyed each month. The right volunteer for this role is one who works well alone, and doesn't mind some background noise.

Surgical Waiting Room Liaisons are stationed in the Surgical Waiting Room from 7 am to 1 pm, Monday through Friday. Working closely with the surgical staff, the liaison is able to answer questions for family members of surgical patients, provide directions and other assistance when needed, and locate family members for the physicians and surgical staff. A warm personality and great organizational skills are needed traits for this position.

Othopedics Liaisons work closely with the orthopedic staff, guiding patients and their families to where they need to go (lab, imaging, physical therapy), assisting with the registration process and forms completion, and generally working to meet the needs of the patient and their families. Strong organizational skills are helpful in this position.

Spiritual Care Volunteers visit with each of the patients, under the guidance of the Hospital Chaplain. Friendly conversations may flow, as well as the opportunity for the volunteer to read scripture and/or pray with the patient. While spiritual care volunteers may have a faith tradition, they do not promote their faith. A visit by a spiritual care volunteer often lifts the spirits of those they visit. A spiritual care volunteer is one who is open to new people and experiences, whose faith is shared, both directly and more often indirectly with other persons wherever they are on life's journey.

Bariatric Friendly Visitors are previous St. Joseph's Area Health Services bariatric surgery patients who visit with current bariatric patients. Some patients need reassurance before surgery, and others need it after. These volunteers share their stories and experiences, encourage attendance at surgical weight loss support groups, and allow patients to share their feelings with someone who understands. A bariatric friendly visitor is not only a good listener, but he/she is also one who finds it easy to converse with new people.

Minnesota Health Care Programs Application Assistants ~ are specially trained volunteers who work during scheduled, advertised hours each month to assist patients, family members, and community members to complete applications for one of Minnesota's health care programs: Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, and General Assistance Medical Care. This volunteer is one who is thorough, organized, and has some prior knowledge of Minnesota Health Care Programs.

It is the philosophy of St. Joseph's Hospice that all patients, nearing the end of their lives, shall be given the opportunity to live their lives in a dignified manner. Families shall receive the services they need to support their loved one. These beliefs are supported by the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team approach to symptom management, pain control and support services. The team approach incorporates services which address the physical, psycho-social and spiritual needs of the Hospice patient and their families. Throughout the caring process, the individual life style and belief systems of the patient and family are respected.

In the manner of “neighbors helping neighbors”, our hospice volunteers are an essential part of the team approach. Quite simply, hospice volunteers do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done. From friendly visits, playing cards, doing puzzles, cooking and baking, going for a walk with family members, to transporting patients and their family member to appointments, these volunteers are the foundation of hospice. Great hospice volunteers are those that are compassionate and good listeners.

Hospice volunteers are also trained to provide bereavement support to families after the death of their loved one. This support may be provided through one-on-one visits, phone calls, or written correspondence.

Another role some hospice volunteers choose is that of assisting in the hospice office. They assist with chart assembly, filing and other duties. Many of the hospice volunteers assist hospice with various fundraising activities. All hospice volunteers attend an extensive 20-hour training before they begin volunteering.

This is a group of men and women over the age of 60, who assist elderly or disabled individuals to remain independent in their home for as long as possible. Senior Companions visit homebound, isolated adults. They provide support to family caregivers, assist with vital services such as grocery shopping and appointments, and act as a friend who listens and cares. The Senior Companion program is a joint venture with Lutheran Social Services, with senior companions receiving a small stipend to supplement their transportation costs.

The Auxiliary is another option for those seeking involvement in a worthwhile cause. The auxilians maintain services in the gift shop, and work diligently throughout the year to raise funds to provide essential benefits throughout the facility.