Why Volunteer?
Volunteering allows you to:

• Help people in need
• Give back to your community
• Make a true difference in the world
• Improve your skills
• Expand your knowledge
• Learn about health care careers first-hand
• Build your resume
• Meet new people
• Have fun!

Studies are showing that volunteering may even improve your health!  According to “Psychology Today” magazine, “Belonging to a club, attending religious services or volunteering may contribute as much to good health as quitting smoking or getting more exercise.”
 
So if you are not already an OSF Saint Anthony volunteer, we would love to have you join our volunteer team!  We currently have many open positions and opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of our patients and their families—and to experience the positive impact on yourself as well.
 
In the words of Helen Keller, “Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness; it is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”

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Volunteer Pledge
All new volunteers are asked to commit to the following:

• Volunteer for a period of at least one year and at least 150 hours.  (Most volunteers work approximately three to four hours per week.)
• Support the Mission of OSF HealthCare, which is: “In the spirit of Christ and the example of Francis of Assisi, the Mission of OSF Healthcare is to serve persons with the greatest care and love, in a community that celebrates the gift of life.”     
• Be positive, helpful, compassionate and professional at all times while volunteering.
• Be prompt and reliable.
• Perform assigned volunteer duties to the best of one’s ability, understanding that there is no monetary compensation.
• Comply with the Volunteer Services dress code and all hospital policies and regulations.
• Help train other volunteers.
• Maintain complete confidentiality in regard to all information concerning patients and hospital operations.

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Volunteer Requirements
To become a volunteer at OSF Saint Anthony, we need you to:

• Complete the volunteer application.  Please stop in Volunteer Services any weekday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or call Kim Anderson at (815) 395-5064 to request an adult application (for those above the age of 18) or teen application (ages 14-18).
• For adult volunteers: Include on your application the names of two professional references (former employers/supervisors are preferred) and the name of your physician, including their addresses and phone numbers. 
• For teen volunteers: Have the two personal reference forms completed by a teacher, counselor, job supervisor or pastor/minister, and have a parent or guardian sign the “TB Test Permission Form & Chicken Pox Assessment.”

If your application meets our requirements, we will contact you to set an interview date.  The remaining requirements are arranged if/when a volunteer has been accepted into a volunteer position: 

• Purchase a volunteer jacket for $15 from Volunteer Services and have your photo taken for your identification badge.
• Complete a 2-step TB skin test, which is provided and paid for by the hospital.
• For adult volunteers: Complete a blood test, to test for rubella and rubeola immunities.  The test is provided and paid for by the hospital.
• For teen volunteers: Provide a copy of your immunization records (especially the dates you received the MMR vaccine.)  
   
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Volunteers Can ‘Float’ From One Job To Another
Within our hospital, volunteers work in over 50 different areas doing many different jobs. All of these volunteer positions are very important and helpful to both staff and patients. In a few areas, it is vital that we have volunteers working specific shifts. When volunteers are unable work their scheduled shifts, Volunteer Services must find substitutes to fill the slots.

The areas in which volunteer staffing is vital during particular hours include:

• administrative reception desk;
• Gift Shop;
• main reception desk;
• shuttle cart and van;
• surgical waiting room.

Because it can be difficult to find willing and available volunteer substitutes when needed, particularly when needed at the last minute, we have created a “Volunteer Float” position in which volunteers receive training in two or more areas of the hospital and choose a work schedule. In addition, you may have a set schedule and work one particular shift each week, or
you may be on-call and have a flexible schedule.

Volunteers who choose the set schedule work on the same day and time each week (such as Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.). When they arrive at the hospital, they check in with Volunteer Services to receive their assignment for the day. Volunteers who choose to be on-call do not come to the hospital until they are called. They are asked if they are available but are under no obligation. It is very much appreciated when they are willing and able to substitute. We would like to place more people in our “Volunteer Float” positions. These volunteers not only greatly benefit the hospital, but they also receive some nice benefits, including job diversity, expanded skills training and flexible schedules. These positions also offer exposure to the overall hospital and the wide variety of healthcare careers.

For more information about the OSF Saint Anthony volunteer program, you may call Volunteer Services at 815-395-5064.

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Come Join Our Team
Come join our team of dedicated volunteers at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. Each year, volunteers at OSF Saint Anthony donate thousands of hours and provide a variety of valuable services for patients and medical center staff. If you would like more information about our volunteer program, please call Kim Anderson at (815) 395-5064 or send her an e-mail at kimberly.anderson@osfhealthcare.org.

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