Volunteering at BID Plymouth
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth volunteers supplement clinical and general service areas throughout the hospital, providing the many extra touches that help support BID Plymouth’s mission “To improve the health and well-being of our patients and community by providing a full continuum of health care services with excellence and compassion.” In addition to being part of the hospital team, volunteers have the opportunity to work with, and learn skills from, the hospital’s professional staff. By giving their time to BID Plymouth, volunteers are truly reaching out to their community.
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth depends on its volunteer staff as it depends on its medical staff and employees. A volunteer position at BID Plymouth involves a serious commitment and a high level of responsibility. The volunteers are an integral part of the hospital. They are responsible, cooperative, dependable, and commit time and energy to their roles.
Volunteers range in age from 16 to 96. They are from varied backgrounds: retirees, students, parents and others.
Getting Started
- Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age and in good health.
- A commitment of (1) four hour shift/week over 6 months for adults (80 hours for students) is required.
- Applications must be completed and references provided.
- An interview is required and acceptance for service is determined by individual qualifications and the needs of the hospital.
- Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth also performs criminal background checks on each adult applicant.
- All volunteers must comply with required health screenings.
- Volunteers are given an orientation to the hospital and trained in his/her area of service.
- The hospital supplies uniforms and free meals while on duty.
Each year the hospital honors its volunteers with an Annual Appreciation Event. The true rewards the volunteers receive, however, come from the knowledge they are giving service to others.
Areas of Service
There is a volunteer opportunity that will satisfy most schedules as well as accommodate personal interest. Most volunteers commit to one (1) 4 hour shift/week. Shifts are typically 8:00 am–12:00 pm, 12:00 pm–4:00 pm and 4:00 pm–8:00 pm, Sunday through Saturday. Volunteering may involve direct patient contact or service in one of the support areas.
Volunteers find rewarding service in the following areas and special programs:
- Bookmobile
- Clerical/Support Services
- Surgical Services
- Philanthropy
- Dietary Services
- Endoscopy Department
- Emergency Department
- Escorting
- Gift Shop
- Oncology Department
- Patient Representative
- Pastoral Visitor
- Staff Education
- Summer at BID Plymouth Program
Junior Volunteer Program
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth offers a junior volunteer program to those aged 16 to 18 years old. Participants must commit to 80 hours over a six month period. Junior volunteers typically volunteer either a four hour shift after school or on the weekend. Duties include transporting discharged patients, delivering lab specimens and medical records, performing errands across the facility etc. Applications are accepted year round.
Summer at BID Plymouth
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth offers a volunteer program for students specifically designed for summer service. Volunteers must commit to 80 hours of service to be considered for this program. A typical schedule could include up to three shifts per week. Participants in the Summer at BID Plymouth Program reach out to others, serve the community and learn skills in the healthcare field. Transporting discharged patients, delivering medical records, performing errands for the lab, assisting the food service department, and delivering mail and flowers to patients are just some of what you will experience. Shifts are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm. A variety of opportunities await you when you walk through the doors of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth. Your experiences can be a key to a new and exciting future. The application deadline is March 31.
College Student Program
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth offers a program for college students majoring in healthcare fields. Students are placed in areas with direct patient contact to provide hands-on experience. Students are expected to volunteer (1) shift/week from the time they are released from school in May until they go back to school in the fall. College students should plan on completing necessary paperwork and testing while they are home on winter or spring break. Applications are due by March 31.
BID Plymouth’s Tradition of Voluntarism
In 1901, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth received its charter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a hospital in the Town of Plymouth. What once was a two-story brick building with 12 beds is now a 164 bed, non-profit acute care community hospital serving 12 towns and employing over 1,800 people. Although voluntarism has always been part of the BID Plymouth tradition, it wasn’t until 1968 that the Volunteer Services Department was established and a director hired. Since then, the program has grown to more than 350 volunteers who donate over 60,000 hours per year.