Volunteer at IU Health Arnett, Frankfort and White Memorial

Mission Statement

The Volunteer Services Department for IU Health has been established to develop and maintain an efficient and humanistic volunteer group who offer an extra dimension of care and service to patients, empathy for families and visitors and supportive services for the organization’s staff.

All of this assists us in our commitment to pursue perfection, to provide compassionate care and to embrace our healers so that we can provide for our patients and families the assurance that they made the right choice for their health care.

Benefits to Volunteering at IU Health

The intangible benefits of volunteering are many. A volunteer may benefit from an improved sense of self-worth, pride and accomplishment while improving the lives of others. Hospital volunteer opportunities provide the added benefit of interacting with those you are helping so you can see the difference you make in the lives of others.

Volunteering can:

1. Help you make new friends and contacts while strengthening your tie to the community
2. Increase your social and relationship skills
3. Provide benefit for your mind and body because it
   1. Increases self confidence
   2. Combats depression
   3. Helps you stay physically active
4. Teach you valuable job skills
5. Provide exposure to careers in healthcare.
6. Volunteers with a shift over a typical mealtime are entitled to meal benefits.

Pet Therapy Program

Pawsitive Healers

This exciting volunteer program at IU Health strives to enhance the experience of patients and visitors through dog visits. Our Pawsitive Healer Canine teams are dedicated to bringing smiles and joy through their regular visits.

How Do I Become an IU Health Pawsitive Healer?

All volunteer dog teams at IU Health are required to complete an accredited pet therapy training program in order to visit patients in a hospital setting. The owner/handler must provide documentation of completion of training, testing, vaccinations and proof of liability. Pet visitation is a scheduled encounter with a dog by an authorized person. The handler must be trained to handle the dog and must complete the volunteer process for IU Health.

To find out more information about dog accreditation, visit the following support programs:

• Pet Partners. This program trains volunteers and their pets for animal programs in hospitals.
• Therapy Dogs International. This volunteer organization is dedicated to regulating, testing and registration of therapy dogs and volunteers in hospitals.

Basic requirements to become an accredited pet therapy dog:

• Your dog must be at least one year old and have lived with you for at least six months. Handles must be at least 18 years old.
• Your dog needs to have good obedience skills:
  • Remains relatively disinterested in the presence of a neutral dog
  • Enjoys being petted and handled by many people at the same time
  • Not bothered by a finger hooked in their mouth, or loud, sudden noises
  • Does not exhibit any stress reactions during these activities
• Your dog does not: growl, bike bark, whine, chase, attack or attempt to jump on a person or another animal.

For more information about IU Health’s Pawsitive Healers K-9 team, contact Volunteer Services at 765.838.6288.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the age requirement to volunteer?

Volunteers must be 18 and over to volunteer.

What are the time commitments?

Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 45 hours of service and a minimum of three hours of service per week is required. However, the total number of hours may be subject to change depending upon the needs of the department and volunteer and with approval of the volunteer supervisor.

How long does the application process take and how soon can I begin volunteering?

Prospective volunteers must complete a volunteer application, which contains the names and telephone numbers of two personal, non-relative references. After completing the application process, a screening interview must be scheduled with the Department of Volunteer Services.

Applicants are reviewed and a reference check and criminal background check are then conducted. Upon successful completion of these checks, the applicant must finish the application process by scheduling and attending an interview with a potential supervisor. Once the screening interview has been complete, you will receive an email from Volunteer Services, which will include the online training and orientation instructions.

Volunteers must also provide documentation of vaccinations and will receive various screening.

Is there a dress code?

Yes. We require all volunteers to wear tan or khaki slacks/pants, a solid white shirt, the red hospital-issued Volunteer jacket and their IU health-issued name tag.

Can I volunteer in more than one area?

With the numerous volunteer requests we receive, we typically limit a volunteer to one area for the 15-week commitment.

How many days a week can I volunteer?

Volunteers can volunteer one or two times a week for 3-4 hour shifts.

What volunteer shifts are available?

Volunteer shifts vary depending on the service area but generally shifts are available seven days a week from 7 am – 8 pm. Where volunteers can serve vary.

What can I expect at the volunteer orientation?

Training topics include a general overview of the volunteer program, infection control policies, environmental safety, liability, patient confidentiality, HIPPA and other hospital policies. The online training must be taken on an IU Health Arnett computer.

Volunteers should be properly trained by their departmental supervisor or designated staff to successfully complete assigned tasks. This training is divided into two areas: basic workplace instructions (e.g. location of bathroom, where to put coat, etc.) and volunteer task assignments.

Where do I park?

Parking varies depending on the location of volunteering shift. Always park in the last row in the parking lot from the main entrance.

Do you offer internships?

Yes, please contact Human Resources for more information at 765.838.6285.

Will I be able to shadow a doctor or have a clinical experience?
Volunteer services does not offer this opportunity. If you are a medical student seeking educational opportunities, please visit Medical Student Education.

What health requirements do I need to meet?

Volunteers must provide documentation of vaccinations.

Employees, faculty, physicians, staff, students and volunteers across IU Health Arnett, Frankfort and White Memorial are required to receive the flu vaccination.

All volunteers are screened for tuberculosis following the interview and must be determined to be free of active infection by the Employee Health Nurse before beginning service within the hospital. Any volunteer with a positive reaction to the PPD test is advised to follow up with their physician.

Volunteers must receive a TB screening on an annual basis to maintain active status.

How do I become a hospice volunteer?

Please contact the Hospice Coordinator, Marcy Hintzman 765.838.5784 or email mhintzman@iuhealth.org.

Can I volunteer just for the summer?

Yes, but we do require a 15-week minimum in all volunteer service areas.

What are attendance expectations?

Volunteers are expected to meet their commitments to their scheduled service hours. Supervisors must be notified of any absences in advance or as soon as possible. The Department of Volunteer Services should be notified of any extensive absences. After three consecutive absences without notification, the supervisor and/or the supervisor of the Department of Volunteer Services reserve the right to terminate a volunteer.

All volunteers must sign in and out when reporting for service. Failure to do so and illegible handwriting will result in service hours not being recorded. Time must be recorded on the time sheet in the designated service areas.

What is the evaluation process?

All volunteers should demonstrate a good understanding of assigned tasks. A competency assessment by the supervisor should be given after 90 days of service and then on an annual basis of the start date.