Volunteer at UnityPoint Health - Meriter

Who can apply?

Anyone 16 years old or older is able to apply. Please note volunteer roles are limited for those under 18 years old. 

When can I apply?

Application Opens:

• Fall 2024: 7/15/24
• Spring 2025: 12/2/24
• Summer Intensive 2025: 4/1/25
• Fall 2025: 7/14/25

What is the time commitment?

• Onboarding
  • This process can take up to 2 months to complete. Failure to complete the onboarding process in a timely manner, can lead to Volunteer Services rescinding the offer of placement at UPH – Meriter.
  • Onboarding happens Monday – Friday 7:00am - 5:00pm.
    • Due to the multiple departments involved in onboarding, if you are unable to attend appointments during the weekdays, we are unable to move you forward as a volunteer.
• Volunteer Role
  • Time commitments vary based on the role. As a volunteer you must be able to:
    • Volunteer once a week for 2 – 4 hours, unless otherwise noted in your service description.
    • Serve a minimum of 60 hours; unless your role requires more extensive training, then it is a 120-hour minimum commitment.
  • Looking for a shorter commitment?
    • Summer intensive roles:
      • 12 weeks during the summer
      • 2 shifts per week
      • Each shift is 2 – 4 hours, unless otherwise noted.
      • Must be able to complete 10 out of 12 weeks during the summer for a total of 20 shifts.
      • Winter Intensive will be offered to those who successfully completed their Summer Intensive role.
  • Leave of Absence (LOA)
    • Once you have completed the minimum requirement for your role, you are able to take a leave of absence ranging from one month to one year.
      • Due to the needs of our programs, if you take a LOA, we are unable to hold your shift and upon return you will be placed as a substitute unless a regular shift is available.
      • If you are unable to return after a year, you will be inactivated and will need to reapply should you desire to return to volunteering.

What is the process to become a volunteer?

Our onboarding process is comprised of many parts. This is to ensure the health and safety of our patients and visitors.

Onboarding

1. Apply
   1. You will be asked to create a username and password to begin the application.
   2. Our application typically takes 10 – 15 minutes to complete.
   3. You can only apply when the application is open.
   4. Start your application online.
      1.  Please Note: If you’ve previously applied with us, you will need to email msn_volunteer@unitypoint.org to notify us of your interest.
2. Interview & Role Selection (Interviews take place Monday – Friday 8:00am - 2:00pm)
   
   1. Once your application is approved:
      
      1. You will receive an email with a link to fill out and upload all required health and background check documents. All instructions must be carefully followed, as failure to do so will result in rejection of your application.
         
         1. You will be required to provide proof of the following immunizations:
            
            1. Covid Vaccine (initial series or most recent booster required)
            2. Flu Shot (only needed October through March)
            3. Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
            4. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
            5. Hepatitis B
            6. Varicella
         2. No exemptions are accepted for volunteer roles.
      2. An email to schedule your 30-minute interview will follow, once all required documentation has been approved. You can choose to complete your interview via Microsoft Teams or in person. This allows us to get to know your interests, skills, and availability to match you with a role and shift. Please know your schedule to ensure this can be completed in a timely manner.
      3. If you want to become a crafter in addition to your onsite role see How do I become a crafter?
3. Attend Health Screening Appointment
   1. Completion of required bloodwork (this will be done through our Employee Health Services (EHS) department).
   • Please do not get any additional vaccinations until you’ve spoken with EHS.
4. Attend Orientation (Orientations take place Monday – Friday 7:00am – 6:00pm)
   
   1. Orientation is an in person half day session, that includes policies, procedures, paperwork, facility tour, and badge photo.
   2. You will need to bring the following:
      1. One form of identification (License, School ID, or Passport)
      2. Your calendar in order to sign up for required training shifts.
         
         1. Training shifts ensure that you are comfortable with your role as a volunteer and vary in the number required.

To maintain compliance all volunteers are required to complete the following every October regardless of when you onboard:

1. Annual Education (All volunteers)
   1. This is a mandatory, one hour training that DNV, our accrediting partner, requires that we provide.
   2. This includes a knowledge check.
   3. Training hours are given for attending.
   4. Any volunteer unable to complete this requirement by the deadline will be inactivated.
2. TB/Flu requirements (Patient Contact volunteers)
   1. If you volunteer onsite at Meriter, in our clinics, at CAP, or NewStart, you are required to complete the following:
      1. TB Screening Questionnaire
         1. This is a questionnaire, not a second TB test.
         2. Employee Health Services will notify you if a test is needed.
         3. Any volunteer unable to complete this requirement by the deadline will be inactivated.
      2. Submit proof of Flu Shot
         1. Any volunteer unable to complete this requirement by the deadline will be inactivated.

We require anyone interested in volunteering in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to serve in a different volunteer capacity for a minimum of 6 months prior to transferring. Please see our list of other opportunities.

We do not maintain a waitlist for the NICU.

When a shift becomes available it is offered to all current volunteers who may want to transfer. Due to the extensive training required to volunteer in the NICU most volunteers spend one to eight years in this role. This means that open shifts in the NICU are limited.

Who can apply?

• Anyone, there is no age requirement to be a crafter.

When can I apply?

• Our crafters can apply at any time. Apply online today. Paper copies are available in our office if desired.  

What is the time commitment?

• We ask for a minimum of one drop off per month.

What is the process to become a volunteer?

1. Apply online today
2. Orientation
   1. We offer 30-to-90-minute sessions which include:
      1. Pattern Review
      2. Sample Feedback
      3. Supplies
3. Submit proof of Covid Vaccine (initial series or most recent booster required)

To maintain compliance all volunteers are required to complete the following every October regardless of when you onboard:

• Annual Education (All volunteers)
  • This is a mandatory, one hour training that DNV, our accrediting partner, requires that we provide.
  • This includes a knowledge check.
  • Training hours are given for attending.
  • Any volunteer unable to complete this requirement by the deadline will be inactivated.
• Crafters are not required to complete the TB/Flu requirements.

Thank you for your interest in shadowing at UnityPoint Health–Meriter (UPH - Meriter). Opportunities remain limited for shadowing. UPH - Meriter allows purposeful observation/shadowing for specific experiences defined by our leadership. Shadowing is allowed for training, fulfilling a recommendation for acceptance into a graduate program, and for UPH-Meriter employees/volunteers applying to a healthcare program.

Please contact our Medical Education Team at msn_medicaleducation@unitypoint.org for further information.