Needs From: VolunteerCNY.org

Opened in the Summer of 2023, this newly designed health and wellness complex brings key services under one roof with a needed focus on wellness, healthy aging and brain health, including Alzheimer’s disease research and care.

Some aspects of this role include:

Greeting and making everyone feel welcome and expected Helping people find their destination by escorting them or providing wheelchair transportation Delivering specimens to the lab or medications from the outpatient pharmacy to clinicsObtaining & delivering prescriptions or food pantry items for patients in Nappi clinics Guiding patients to registration areas and offering assistance if requested, in use of the registration kiosks

Patients are so appreciative of the assistance volunteers offer in this new building - it's a great way to help while being active and social!

Volunteers greet, escort, and transport patients & visitors to a variety of units and departments at both University & Community Hospitals.  They also deliver cards, flowers, personal belongings and specimens to the lab, in addition to completing other tasks.  Volunteers spread joy throughout the hospital with each and every in interaction.

This is a great way to: give back, be social and active & learn more about Upstate!  

JAN 2025:  THIS ASSIGNMENT IS CURRENTLY FULL, WITH OPENINGS ANTICIPATED IN MAY.

Cancer Center volunteers are typically, but not necessarily survivors or past care-givers of friends/family members with cancer.  They understand the unique needs of these patients and their loved ones.

 

Volunteers round on all patient service & waiting areas; offering refreshments, comfort items, general helpful info to patients/caregivers. 

 

Volunteers help patients complete American Cancer Society forms, navigate Upstate buildings and orient patients & families to the Cancer Center resources.

At Upstate, healing comes in many forms- including the wag of a tail and the unconditional love of our pet therapy dogs.

Nestled amidst the hustle & bustle of medical care, patients and staff alike experience the warmth, healing & uplifting power that pet therapy dogs bring. With their gentle tail wagging and comforting presence, these four-legged therapists embody the spirit of compassion and acceptance.

At Upstate, we have two separate programs comprised of teams (certified* handler & dog) who make scheduled visits with:

Patients – for “Animal Assisted Therapy” Staff members for employee de-stress events

Through our partnering organizations, your pet may earn certification and put these benefits to work for those in need.  Visit our website for more info on our Pet Therapy programs.

*While we would love to have as many dogs as possible certified, not all who apply will be accepted.  Visit PAWSofCNY.org or PetPartners of CNY for more info on whether or not your dog is the right fit & for more info on getting evaluated and becoming certified.

Caring and friendly volunteers work hand-in-hand with both patients and the nursing units; answering call bells, visiting with patients & their families.  They are willing to survey recreational needs and deliver Comfort Cart items, sometimes helping patients to pass the time.

Volunteers greet/visit patients and their families – assisting where needed, ensuring personal items are within reach, run errands, take specimens to the lab and stock supplies.  

A big part of this role is checking in on patients and their loved ones to ensure they are as comfortable as can be, helping visitors navigate the hospital and visiting with patients who may be lonely or bored.

The PACU & Surgery Center step-down units provide care to patients after surgery while recovering from anesthesia until they are moved to either their hospital room or are discharged home.

 

Volunteers help prepare stretchers, run errands, deliver lab specimens, stock blanket warmers and stock supplies for the PACU and Surgery Center.  Volunteers also discharge patients in wheelchairs or help staff transport patients on stretchers.

Upstate University Hospital's Emergency services are wide ranging from: Adult Emergency and Trauma to Pediatric Emergency, and Geriatric Emergency Medicine (for those 65+).

 

Volunteers stock supplies, run errands, take specimens to the lab, assist in the transport of patients and prepare stretchers & beds.

 

Volunteers also round on patients offering non-clinical assistance.  Visitation is offered to patients who are particularly anxious, scared or lonely.

The Child Life Program at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital helps young patients cope with their fears and anxieties by offering pre-operative sessions and therapeutic activities that are tailored to meet their social, emotional, and developmental needs.

 

Caring, friendly volunteers work hand-in-hand with Child-Life specialists and pediatric patients in the Children’s Hospital, pediatric Emergency Department & Hematology/Oncology units.

 

Upon the direction of a staff member, they visit with patients and their families, are willing to survey recreational needs and deliver Activity Cart items, and sometimes help patients to pass the time.  Volunteers may also ensure common areas and items within those areas are sanitized in between use.