Student Volunteering
How many volunteers work at ARMC?
Approximately 545 volunteers serve ARMC annually in 50 different departments. Each semester approximately 90-105 students who are Pre-Med, Pre-Nursing, Education, Business, Psychology, and other majors volunteer at ARMC.
Who is allowed to volunteer in the student volunteer program at ARMC?
Students who are enrolled at UGA, Athens Tech, and other universities, colleges, and technical
schools participate in the student volunteer program at ARMC.
How many hours will I work as a student volunteer at ARMC?
Student volunteers are placed during the first week of each semester. Student volunteers then work at least 3 hours
per week for the remaining 15 weeks of the academic semester. Students are encouraged to continue working during
breaks from school (such as Winter Holiday break, Spring Break, etc.) and to return for consecutive semesters of
service. ARMC does not set up one-time observations/visits for student volunteers. ARMC also does not allow
credit for volunteer hours towards court-related community service assignments.
Can I work weekends or evenings after school/work?
Yes! Many of the student volunteers work on evenings and weekends.
How and when do I apply to volunteer at ARMC?
Students interested in volunteering at ARMC should call 475-3510 and press option 2.
To allow time to complete all requirements, students should call by mid-term of the semester BEFORE
they wish to begin a volunteer assignment. The message contains information about the upcoming semester's
placement and orientation dates and times AND information about mandatory health screening requirements. Each
new student volunteer must attend one placement and one orientation session before beginning work. Also, each
student must comply with the health screening requirements and bring documentation of this to the placement
session. Students who do not comply will be asked to return the following semester with complete documentation.
Students will not be allowed to volunteer at ARMC without these documents.
Where and when will I work as a student volunteer?
At the semester placement session you will have an opportunity to read listings of "volunteer responsibilities" for
various departments which have requested student volunteers. You will also see a listing of times and days volunteer
assignments are available. During a short placement interview, you will be placed into a weekly three hour volunteer
assignment based on your choice of service area and available time slot. Students who arrive early at the placement
session have a larger selection of placement opportunities since students are placed on a first come, first serve basis.
What else will I do at the placement and orientation sessions?
During the placement session you will complete an application, have an ID picture
made for your ARMC name tag, and learn more about the area to which you are assigned to work.
During the Hospital Orientation session you will be trained in infection control, fire safety and codes, confidentiality,
etc. The orientation is required for all hospital volunteers as mandated by the Joint Commission and OSHA. You will also
receive department-specific training on your first day of work in your assigned area. Health screening and
orientation updates are required annually thereafter.
What are some of the departments in which student volunteers work?
- Anesthesia
- Breast Health Center
- Cardiac Cath Lab
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Coumadin Clinic
- Emergency Department
- Family Care
- Guest Services
- Labor and Delivery
- Medical Records
- Mind Body Institute
- Oncology
- Occupational Therapy
- Orthopedics
- Patient Administration
- Pediatrics
- Post Anesthesia Care Unit
- Physical Therapy
- Radiology
- Speech Therapy
- Supply Distribution/Patient Transport
- Well & Wise Readers
AND MORE...
Will I get a record of my hours worked to use with job or school applications in the future?
Each volunteer is expected to clock in and clock out for each shift worked. Volunteers who fail to clock in will not
have a complete record of hours worked. The Volunteer Services Department will provide a letter of documentation
of hours worked upon request.
What if I want to return for a second semester of volunteer work?
Students may return to work for several semesters or even years. Usually a student's schedule will change from
semester to semester due to changes in class schedules. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Volunteer
Services office of any schedule changes and desire to change volunteer assignment. Students must keep the same
volunteer schedule and assignment area for the duration of the semester. However, students may change to a new
department and schedule at the beginning of the following semester by attending another placement session.
What other expectations do you have for student volunteers at ARMC?
Many departments at ARMC depend on the assistance of student volunteers. Many student volunteers are interested
in job related experiences; however, it is desirable that both the student and the Medical Center reap benefits from
the volunteer assignment. The hospital desires punctual, dependable, committed individuals who can help patients,
families, visitors, and staff in a variety of ways. As a volunteer, you will be expected to fulfill the duties assigned to
you which in turn will help ARMC provide better service to its customers.
Also, all student volunteers are expected to dress professionally and follow any department-specific dress codes.
You will learn more information about hospital dress codes at orientation.
