Volunteer Series Part 1: Shands at UF

Previously in blog land, we took an in depth look at volunteering, its benefits and opportunities in Gainesville. This week we will expand on that by taking an in depth look at some of the opportunities available. Our first stop will be Shands at UF. Read on to find out how easy it is to get involved and some great departments that need help.
First you need to visit Shands website and fill out an online application. Next, take the online quiz. After that, make sure you have a copy of your immunization records and TB test. Lastly, just fill out the form with a date and time that works for your placement interview. College students are placed at the beginning of each semester or three times a year. Adults are placed at anytime throughout the year.
Opportunities
There are a wide range of opportunities in the Children’s hospital ranging from a playroom volunteer to a childbirth lactation class helper. One of the volunteer opportunities that stood out in my mind is the NICU cuddlers. NICU cuddlers hold premature babies and help with other nursery duties. Being a new mom, I understand how important close contact is for newborns so this is a very special and important volunteer opportunity.
If kids are not your thing, then you might find your calling helping adult patients. You can devote your time to the brain tumor team, cardiovascular unit and liver transplant unit. These opportunities give you a behind the scenes look at different medical specialties. Most of the volunteers perform administrative functions and get an inside view of the ongoing research and clinical trials in these fields.
Other opportunities include lab work, direct patient care, nursing, pharmacy and radiology. You can test drive a career as a nurse or work as a Heart mender providing emotional support to patients and their families with heart disease. Another volunteer position that stood out in my mind was the No one dies alone program. Volunteers can provide emotional support while sitting with a dying patient.
Last but not least, you can volunteer in other areas at Shands like the gift shop. There are also separate opportunities at the Shands cancer hospital.
Well, that was a lot of information. If you are interested in medicine, I am sure that you will be filling out the Shands volunteer application today. But if medicine does not interest you, wait till next week and we will look at educational volunteer opportunities. Stay tuned!!