United States Achievement Academy - National Award Yearbook (Lexington, KY)

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A WALK TOGETHER Often a young volunteer makes a friend in the course of helping others. A HELPING HAND Extended in friendship and love, a helping hand is the most valuable contribution a hospital volunteer can make 215

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YOU HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH, YOU HAVE NEVER DONE ENOUGH, SO LONG AS IT IS STILL POSSIBLE THAT YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO CONTRIBUTE. Dag Hammarskjiild It takes a special kind of young person to serve in a hospital without pay. Over 200,000 teen volunteers now serve across the country, and they make an important contribution-to patients and to the hospital staff The young hospital volunteer is important because he or she provides the extras, the personal attention that adds so much to the comfort and well-being of patients. Seeing to those important extras leaves the regular staff free to concentrate on making patients well as quickly as possible. How does a hospital volunteer serve? In many ways: he or she helps out in nearly every department of the hospital- wherever helping hands are needed. The volunteer's duties include: Nursing assistance-answering signal lights, carrying mes- sages, running errands Escort service-guiding patients to x-ray and therapy Child care-looking after children whose parents are visit- ing, helping in the playroom in the children's wing Personal service-delivering flowers and mail, taking phone messages, visiting with patients Gift, book, flower carts-bringing treats and cheerful ex- tras from room to room Staff assistance-performing general clerical duties for busi- ness office, admitting office, x-ray depart- ment Food services-helping patients choose menus, delivering orders, serving trays and snacks The novice volunteer gets careful training for these impor- tant duties. He or she is interviewed, participates in orienta- tion and gets on-the-job training by working with hospital staff or experienced volunteers. The work of a hospital volunteer is important, but what are the rewards? They include personal development-learn- ing how to work with other people, making a contribution to the community, and leaming new skills. Most important is the special reward of satisfaction that comes from bringing comfort and happiness to others. The more tangible rewards of a volunteer job well done are the professional uniform to wear with pride, perhaps a pin or certificate recognizing a job well done, and the special honor of receiving a United States Achievement Academy Leadership and Service Award. Only those young people nominated by their hospital vol- unteer directors are eligible for this special award. The Stan- dards for Selection are as follows: l. Dedication 2. Dependability 3. Citizenship 4. Leadership 5. Support of the volunteer program 6. Enthusiasm 7. Director's recommendation 8. Example to other young people 9. Attitude and cooperative spirit 10. Responsibility The young volunteer should be proud of his or her contri- bution. The USAA Leadership and Service Awards are one way for a grateful hospital and community to say thank you. RIGOROUS TRAINING A hospital volunteer must be ready for any emergency that might arise. Here young people are learning important first aid techniques.

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IN THE PHARMACY Distribution of regular medication is an important responsibility. FOOD SERVICE The hospital volunteer assists in the distribution of meals. CLERICAL DUTIES Hospital volunteers work throughout the facility, including welcoming visitors to the information desk. COMPASSION WITH A SMILE A nurse is an excellent role model for the hospital volunteer. 216