HOSPITAL & NURSING HOME SERVICES

There are four hospitals in Lancaster County and five hospitals in the Capital Region that need help from American Red Cross volunteers. Although all of the health care facilities need help in some of the same areas, there are specific needs at each hospital. If you have a specific interest, such as working with children or working in a particular department, you may check with hospital volunteer coordinators. They may be able to place you in the specifically-requested area.

There are also nursing homes throughout the Susquehanna Valley looking for help from Red Cross volunteers. Opportunities are numerous.

Although the below descriptions include volunteer needs in nursing homes, there may be others. You may help with maintenance, grounds keeping, clerical work or housekeeping. Some sites even need volunteers who like to serve ice cream, give manicures or play an instrument! Each facility has its own special needs. The Red Cross can provide you with many of these descriptions or can refer you to the agency to receive one.

Please note: In addition to a Red Cross volunteer orientation, you may be required to attend a hospital or nursing home orientation and/or interview. This is handled by the volunteer coordinators at the site.

Nursing Home Aide

Spend time talking to residents, serving meals, writing letters, delivering mail, feeding residents, filling water pitchers, transporting residents, operating elevators, making beds and more. Volunteer Schedule: Varies Hours Required: Varies Minimum Age: Varies with different facilities

Activities/Recreation Aide

Help the residents have fun! Assist them with crafts, community outings, summer picnics, transportation and other activities. Volunteer Schedule: Varies Hours Required: Varies Minimum Age: Varies with different facilities

Caring Friend

A caring friend is a volunteer who is matched with a resident to provide companionship, helping him or her to interact in conversation and nursing home activities whenever possible. A year round commitment is desired. In addition to the necessary orientations, the volunteer is asked to attend a Caring Friends Workshop. This training is free. The Caring Friends Workshop is a good opportunity to learn or to develop skills to improve interaction with the elderly. The two-hour workshop includes group discussion, exercises and a role-playing game to provide the volunteer with a better understanding of what it is like to live in an elderly-care facility and what it is like to grow. Volunteer Schedule: Varies Hours Required: Varies Minimum Age: Varies with different facilities

Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center

1500 Highlands Drive Lititz, PA 17543 (717) 625-5000 Volunteers are needed to assist in patient care areas with activities such as running errands, filling water pitchers, reading to patients and playing with children. Clerical opportunities are also available in certain departments. Volunteer Schedule: Varies, dependent on placement Hours Required: 4 consecutive hours per week preferred Minimum Age: 14 Back to Hospital Table

Ephrata Community Hospital

169 Martin Avenue Ephrata, PA 17522 (717) 733-0311 Transporting patients, running errands and generally assisting the nursing staff with non-professional duties are most helpful. Opportunities also exist in behind-the-scenes areas for those interested in non-direct patient contact. Volunteer Schedule: Day/time varies with each department Hours Required: 3-4 consecutive hours per week preferred Minimum Age: 16 Back to Hospital Table

Lancaster General Hospital

555 North Duke Street Lancaster, PA 17603 (717) 290-2005 Be involved in one or more of the following: transportation of patients, delivering flowers and mail to patients, clerical tasks, gift shop coverage and assistance in express testing, post anesthesia care unit and the waiting room. Other opportunities include relief of the information desk receptionist, nursing unit helpers and in the emergency room. Lancaster General Hospital volunteers can choose to help at the main hospital, the Health Campus or any LGH-operated facility. Volunteers must complete orientation and have proof of immunization to chicken pox, measles and rubella. If an individual cannot provide documentation, the hospital can complete a blood test, free of charge, to reach these results. Annual PPD testing is a requirement for all volunteers. Volunteer Schedule: Dependent on assignment Hours Required: 4 consecutive hours per week Minimum Age: 16 Back to Hospital Table

Lancaster Regional Medical Center

250 College Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603 (717) 291-8126 Volunteers are needed for patient transport to and from therapy areas and radiology, and as couriers/escorts to run errands for nursing stations and are used in over 50 areas of the hospital. A TB test is required for each volunteer, but is provided by the hospital. A teen program runs from mid-June to mid-August. The hospital also provides lunch, parking and a uniform. Volunteer Schedule: Dependent on assignment Hours Required: 3-4 consecutive hours per week preferred Minimum Age: 14 Back to Hospital Table

Hershey Medical Center

500 University Drive Hershey, PA 17033 (717) 291-8126 During summer months there is a special program in which teenagers may assist in different departments in the hospital. Volunteer Schedule: As needed Hours Required: Flexible Minimum Age: 18 (except during summer program) Back to Hospital Table

Holy Spirit Hospital

503 North 21st Street Camp Hill, PA 17011 (717) 763-2656 Opportunities are available in various areas including patient care as well as offices. Volunteer Schedule: Varies Hours Required: 3-4 consecutive hours per week Minimum Age: 16 Back to Hospital Table

Pinnacle Health at Community General Osteopathic

4300 Londonderry Road Harrisburg, PA 17105 (717) 652-3000 Opportunities vary. During summer months there is a special program in which teenagers may assist in different departments in the hospital. Volunteer Schedule: As needed Hours Required: 3-4 consecutive hours per week Minimum Age: 14 Back to Hospital Table

Pinnacle Health at Polyclinic Hospital

2601 North 3rd Street Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717) 782-4141 Opportunities vary. During summer months there is a special program in which teenagers may assist in different departments in the hospital. Volunteer Schedule: As needed Hours Required: 3-4 consecutive hours per week Minimum Age: 14 Back to Hospital Table

Pinnacle Health at Harrisburg Hospital

111 South Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 782-3131 Opportunities vary. During summer months there is a special program in which teenagers may assist in different departments in the hospital. Volunteer Schedule: As needed Hours Required: 3-4 consecutive hours per week Minimum Age: 14 Back to Hospital Table

If you have any questions, contact our volunteer specialists by calling 234-3101 or 299-5561, or via e-mail.