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We NeedYou!
A F E W H O U R S O F Y O U R T I M E M A K E S
A D I F F E R E N C E F O R O U R PAT I E N T S
By Andrea Nagel
Kootenai Health
has one of
the strongest hospital volunteer
programs in the Northwest,
consisting of the Kootenai Health
Auxiliary for adult volunteers, the
Nightingales for retired nurses, the
teen volunteer program, Mended
Hearts for cardiac patients, and
Safe Kids for injury prevention.
These volunteers provide a host
of services throughout the year,
ranging from escorting patients
and running errands for staff to
creating a welcoming environment
in waiting areas. Kootenai Health
Donna Kalanick installs a car seat as
part of Safe Kids Kootenai County’s
weekly car seat checks.
volunteers annually donate
more than 35,000 hours in
service to the health of our
community.
“We are so fortunate to
have our volunteers,” said
Sarah McManus, director of
volunteer services. “The heart of a
volunteer is exceptional. Because
we are a not-for-profit hospital, they
play a very important role.”
O P P O R T U N I T I E S T O S E R V E
Nightingales (volunteer nurses).
Nightingales are volunteer nurses
who spend their time interacting
with patients and families. Working
under the guidance of staff nurses,
Nightingales provide services that
fit their personal schedule and
interests. Nightingales spend time
with patients, assist them with
daily tasks and activities, and
assist staff with admissions and
discharges. Nightingales must have
an active or emeritus RN license.
Auxiliary.
Kootenai Health’s
Auxiliary is made up of nearly 200
men and women who provide a
variety of services for the hospital.
The Auxiliary is managed and
operated by an elected board of
officers, and members are expected
to provide 40 hours of volunteer
service annually. Auxiliary services
include (but are not limited to):
◗
◗
Escorting patients
◗
◗
Providing directions to
visitors
◗
◗
Managing waiting rooms
◗
◗
Delivering newspapers, mail,
flowers and gifts
Teen volunteers.
Founded in
1980, Kootenai Health’s teen
volunteer program is for teens ages
14 to 18. Teens have the option to
volunteer during select summer
sessions or on weekends and
evenings throughout the school
year. They perform a variety of
tasks, including:
◗
◗
Discharging patients
◗
◗
Delivering newspapers, mail,
flowers and gifts
◗
◗
Running internal errands for vari-
ous departments and staff
Mended Hearts.
Volunteers with
Kootenai’s Mended Hearts group
have personally been through a
serious cardiac event or open-heart
surgery. They meet with current
cardiac patients to offer support and
guidance.
Safe Kids Kootenai County.
Volunteers with Safe Kids Kootenai
County educate the public about
car seat, bike helmet and water
safety. Car seat technicians edu-
cate families about proper car seat
installation and techniques to help
keep their children safe. A special
certification course is required to
become a car seat technician.
Joyce Kollaja (right)
volunteers in the surgical lobby, assisting
nurses like Heather Jones (left) and
family members of those receiving care.
B E C O M E A
V O L U N T E E R
If you
would like to become a
volunteer at Kootenai Health,
contact our Volunteer Services at
(208) 625-4645
or visit
KH.org/
volunteer
. For the Mended Hearts
group, call
(208) 625-4693
, or
for Safe Kids Kootenai County,
contact Donna Kalanick at
(208) 625-5722
.
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VOLUNTEER SERVICES