Connecticut Children's Medical Center
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Volunteering

Mission
Thank you for your interest in Connecticut Children's Medical Center's Volunteer Program. Our Volunteers in Pediatrics currently number more than 200 and provide essential help in numerous service areas. Volunteers are valuable members of teams devoted to the care and well being of our kids, and we are proud of their contribution.

Volunteer Services enhances and supports the services of Connecticut Children's Medical Center through the provision of trained volunteers. Volunteer Services is dedicated to providing the highest possible quality of service while respecting the dignity, individual differences and cultural diversity of our patients, families, staff and the communities we serve.

Who Can Be A Volunteer?
Volunteer opportunities are available for anyone who is 14 years old, dependable, and able to commit to at least three hours of service per week for a minimum commitment of one year (six weeks during the Summer period). Volunteers are required, by regulations to be a minimum of 14 years of age. Some departments have other age requirements - for example, Patient Care units require volunteers to be at least 18 years old.

Volunteer Benefits
Besides the personal satisfaction of enhancing the quality of life for hospitalized children and their families, our volunteers receive:

  1. Meal Passes: Adults & students who volunteer at least 3 hours or more on a shift receive a meal pass that is valid in the cafeteria for that day.
  2. Fitness Center, located on the Medical Centers premises, is available to all volunteers 18 and older.
  3. Library: The Hartford Hospital Medical Science Library and Robinson Library are available for use by all volunteers.

How Do I Volunteer?
We accept applications for our Summer Program beginning January 1 through April 30 each year. Applications for ongoing Volunteer service may be submitted at any time.

  1. Download the volunteer application packet:
    (Right click on link with your mouse and choose "save target as" to save file to your computer.)

    Fax complete packet to 860.545.9525 or mail to CCMC, Volunteer Services, 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106. Please note, incomplete application packets will not be accepted.

  2. A complete Application Packet contains all forms as listed above.  TB documentation is not required at the time of your application submission.  Incomplete Application Packets will not be considered.
  3. Upon receipt , your application will be reviewed. Based on your preferences, availability, and the current needs of the hospital, you will be contacted for a personal interview.
  4. Once references are checked and your application is approved, you will be scheduled to attend our two hour Volunteer Orientation.
  5. Upon completion of the Orientation, a TB screening must be completed.
  6. Once all procedures are completed, and you are medically cleared, current placement options will be presented to you, and a starting date will be arranged with staff in the area where you will be working.

Volunteer Opportunities
(click here for age requirements for volunteering at CCMC)
ArtReach Program Foundation
Auxiliary Gift Shop
Child Life Injury Prevention Center
Clerical (Monday - Friday 9am-4pm only) Pet Therapy
Day Care Reach Out and Read
Emergency Department Special Projects

ArtReach Program
The ArtReach program supports the healing and wellness of our patients and their families through art, music and performances. Our need for volunteers includes assisting with the Daily Art Activity (12-3pm), labeling and hanging artwork at CCMC, creating project "kits" that can be delivered to patient rooms and other opportunities that are as varied as our programs! If you are interested please contact Ann Kollegger, Arts Program Coordinator at akollegger@ccmckids.org or 545-9858 for more information.

Auxiliary
The Auxiliary seeks volunteers for service after business hours. For more information, please download the letter from Auxiliary President Lisa Sundean. Word (25k doc) or Adobe Acrobat (6k pdf)

Child Life
Provide play activities to children and/or teens. These activities might include cuddling babies, arts and crafts, games, reading, and other play activities. Volunteers will also make rounds on patient floors to distribute items that are on our entertainment cart. When children are unable to physically go to a playroom, or activity center, the volunteer can provide activities at the bedside in the patient’s room. **Volunteers assigned to this area must be 18 years or older**

Clerical
Volunteers are often placed in offices throughout the Medical Center, offering support to the staff by running errands, photocopying information, filing, assembling mailings, and any other clerical type function.  Volunteers are needed Monday - Friday 9am-4pm only.

Day Care (CCMC Campus)
Provide child care and play activities to well children at our employee daycare on the Newington campus. The “Almost Big Day Care” has 3 areas: “The Baby Room” (3-18 months), “The Toddler Room” (18 months – approximately 3 years), “Preschool” (3-5 years). Volunteers are needed: Monday – Friday 9:00 –12:00 or 3:00 –5:00 pm.

Emergency Department
Provide clerical assistance to the office staff in the Emergency Department. Duties might include photocopying, filing, courier to mailroom or other clinical areas in the hospital for delivery of materials, intermittent support of children being seen in area (i.e., reading a story, playing a game, etc.)

Foundation
Exciting opportunities also exist to help out with fundraising projects and events throughout the year. This is a great way to network and make new friends.

Gift Shop
Located on the second floor atrium lobby, the Gift Shop offers a large selection of personal and gift items, cards, crafts, toys and games, snacks and flowers. It is open Monday – Friday 9:00am – 6:00pm.

Injury Prevention Center
The Injury Prevention Center welcomes volunteers for selected research and program activities. For more information, contact the IPC administrative associate, Siobhán Ranniello, at 860.545.9988 or srannie@ccmckids.org.


Pet Therapy
Connecticut Children's Medical Center uses trained volunteers and their own adult dogs to visit with consenting patients on patient care units and waiting areas in the Medical Center.  Any dog accepted into the Pet Therapy Program, must have current certification in a program specifically geared towards therapy dogs.  Examples are; Delta Society, ECAD or Therapy Dogs International.  Additionally, as a general rule, we accept no dog under the age of two years, and/or under 25 pounds. 

Reach Out and Read
Stationed in the outpatient care center waiting areas, these volunteers read stories with children. Books in both English and Spanish are available through Volunteer Services and the Primary Care Center.


Contact:
To request an application packet, call Volunteer Services at 860.545.8540 or e-mail Kim Temple at ktemple@ccmckids.org.

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