San Francisco VA Health Care System
Got time? Got talent? Voluntary Service Wants You
A group of volunteers gathers in the San Francisco VA Medical Center’s back yard. Looking for something to do in the New Year? We have ideas for you!
Voluntary Service at the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS) invites you to volunteer. You can put your time and talents to good use while enhancing our Veterans’ health care experience.
Volunteering at our Medical Center or at one of our VA community clinics offers you a perfect platform to share your knowledge and skills. Our VA community clinics are located in downtown San Francisco, San Bruno, Santa Rosa, Clearlake, Ukiah, and Eureka.
“One of the most precious gifts you can give is that of your time,” says Chief of Voluntary Service Owetdia Dupree. “We have many positions throughout our health care system that are waiting to be filled by individuals and groups that are willing and able to give of themselves. Let us find a position that suits your skills, interests and schedule.”
Here are our current volunteer needs:
Medical Ward Volunteers in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Transitional Care Unit (TCU), Telemetry, Acute Care, and Emergency Department: Volunteers are needed in these areas to assist with non-clinical work. This is a great assignment if you have an interest in, or plan a future career in, the health care field.
Volunteer Transportation Network Volunteers (for Crescent City, Eureka, Fort Bragg, Clearlake, and Santa Rosa areas): Volunteers with a current driver’s license and no points on their driving record the past 5 years are needed to transport Veterans to the San Francisco VA Medical Center. Van drivers are needed to transport patients from the Crescent City Veterans Service Office to the Eureka VA Clinic. Volunteers for this position must be available to volunteer at least one day a month.
Hospitality Concierges: These volunteers are stationed in areas to welcome and greet Veterans and visitors arriving at the Medical Center, and also help at the Hospitality Discharge Center to make the discharge experience comfortable.
Telephone Customer Service: Volunteers help make appointment reminder calls and help with answering phones at different patient clinics.
Escorts: These Customer Service volunteers provide assistance with transporting patients, in escort "Staxi" chairs, to their scheduled appointments.
Parking Lot Golf Cart Drivers: Golf Cart Driver volunteers help visitors and Veterans get to the Medical Center buildings from our parking areas. To fill this role, volunteers must have a current driver’s license.
Volunteer Office Assistants: Volunteer Office Assistants help different medical or administrative offices throughout the Medical Center and at our community VA clinics with filing, answering phones, and greeting and directing patients.
Hospitality Beverage Cart: Volunteers deliver infused water or coffee to outpatient clinics and waiting areas.
Summer Student Volunteers: Every summer, our high school students volunteer their time and get experience volunteering in a health care setting. We encourage you to complete an application before your summer break so you are ready to start during your summer break.
Musicians: We are always looking for talented volunteer musicians to perform in designated patient areas or for special events.
Magazine/Book Cart: Volunteers sort donated magazines and books and take the book cart to designated waiting areas.
Research Assistant Volunteers: Research volunteers help with database entry and complex filing in a highly regulated environment.
Curbside Greeters: Customer service is important in making all Veterans and visitors feel welcome. These volunteers are stationed at curbside locations to assist Veterans and visitors with getting into the Medical Center.
Special Event Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to help with our special, recurring events. Some examples of these events include holiday decorating, gift distribution, Veterans Day Parade, and National Salute to Veteran Patients.
“If you are interested in one of the roles above, or if you have other skills to offer, please call us at (415) 750-2144 so we can discuss how you can best use your talents to help our patients,” says Owetdia. “Voluntary Service invites you to be a part of helping Veterans. You can make a difference!”
Ready to volunteer? You can print out a volunteer application here, complete it and bring it with you to the Voluntary Service office (San Francisco VA Medical Center, 4150 Clement St., Bldg. 7, First Floor, Room 120).
