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Thank you for your interest in helping us to improve the health of our community by volunteering at Berkshire Medical
Center. We have a rich history of volunteerism in providing essential services for our patients, their families, and our staff.
Berkshire Medical Center has volunteers, ranging in age from 14 to over 90 from a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds. Everyone - patients, staff and the community - benefits from the contributions of our volunteers. We look forward to meeting you.
The Mission of BMC is to improve the health of Berkshire country and surrounding communities
regardless of ability to pay.
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BMC will be nationally recognized as a premier health care organization, delivering the highest quality patient-care in a learning environment.
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Ownership – Be Proud of BMC. Accept responsibility for actions and maintain an environment that promotes Patient-Centered Care. o
Appearance – Instill confidence by presenting a professional appearance that is clean and neat. o
Communication – Take the initiative to obtain or provide prompt, accurate, and complete information. o
Commitment to Co-Workers – Treat one another with respect, honesty, and courtesy. o
Privacy – Respect and protect others’ Right to Privacy and Confidentiality at work and in the community. o
Explanations – Explain what you are doing and what they can expect in terms they will understand.
Keep people informed. o
Commitment to Safety – Share responsibility for ensuring a safe and secure environment. o
Comfort – Ensure the comfort of our patients and their families. o
Commitment to Excellence – Seek to exceed our customers’ expectations by providing high quality service with care, compassion, and courtesy.
All Volunteers are in the unique position to advocate for the patients and represent the hospital. We rely on your generosity to assist us in fulfilling our mission of improving the health of our community. We ask that in all your responsibilities here at
BMC that you abide by Our Values.
 Compassion – We believe in fostering caring relationships.
 Respect – We believe in treating everyone with dignity, kindness and understanding.
 Excellence – We believe in providing the highest quality care and superior patient satisfaction through outstanding teamwork.
 Stewardship – We believe that to ensure our future ability to fulfill our mission, we need to maintain a financially viable organization and focus our resources on the most pressing health needs of the community.
 Trust – We believe in building trusting relationships based on communication, competence, teamwork and ethical conduct.
 Diversity – We believe that in order to serve all of our patients, we need to develop the cultural competency and diversity of our staff and work to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in the health status of our community.
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The Volunteer Services Department of BMC is committed to finding rewarding opportunities for volunteers that support our staff and enhance the experiences of our patients and their families.
The Volunteer Services Staff will work with prospective volunteers to explore the opportunities that are available to volunteers. Active volunteers can expect to be given meaningful assignments in which there is effective supervision and orientation. In return volunteers are expected to carry out the mission of the hospital and department to the best of their ability and in a manner that is consistent with our values.
 Volunteers are recruited by the Volunteer Services Department at Berkshire Medical Center on a pro-active basis, with the intent of expanding volunteer involvement in caring for our community through the services provided at the hospital.
 The recruitment and selection of volunteers shall reflect the process used by Berkshire Medical Center Human
Resources Department.
 Volunteers are recruited without regard to gender, disability, age, race, or other condition. Volunteers are recruited based upon their skills, abilities and suitability to perform volunteer responsibilities.
 Not all applicants will be considered for volunteer positions. Placement is not guaranteed.
 Volunteers who are between the ages of 14 and 18 must have written consent of their parent/guardian prior to volunteering.
 Additionally, a reference from the school guidance counselor is required.
 The prospective volunteer:
 Completes a volunteer application
 Applicants must be at least 14 years of age
 Able to volunteer a minimum of 3-4 hours per week
 Provides reference information
 Signs a release for a criminal background check
 Participates in a screening interview (either in person or on the phone)
 Upon acceptance into the program – the Volunteer completes orientation
 Have a tuberculosis (PPD) test (available through BMC’s Occupational Health)
 Have a criminal background check
 Provide a Driver’s License/State ID (or other comparable photo ID) for copying purposes.
This copy will be placed in your volunteer folder.
 Attend Volunteer Orientation (1 ½ hour OSHA/HIPPA training)
 Department specific training
 All prospective volunteers will be informed by Volunteer Services Staff of their acceptance into the Volunteer
Program.
 Work as a volunteer will begin once all pre-requisites are complete, orientation attended, and background and reference information obtained.
 Additionally, volunteers will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding upon the completion of this pamphlet.

 Orientation is conducted by appointment in the Volunteer Services staff.
 Orientation includes an overview of the hospital and department, roles, expectations, a tour, and other training subjects as required by regulatory agencies.
 Orientation is an opportunity for a prospective volunteer to have a fuller understanding of the different jobs available.
 The Volunteer Services Staff is committed to providing volunteers with a rewarding opportunity that enhances the experience of our patients and their families as well as supports our staff.
 Our goal is to match volunteers with an appropriate and rewarding experience.
 Volunteer opportunities fall into two categories – Patient Well-being and Clerical/limited patient contact.
 Volunteer Office (clerical)
 Patient Escort/Liaison (patient centered)
 Staffing waiting areas (limited patient)
 Nursing Assistant (patient centered)
 Department Filing (clerical)
 Patient Relations** (patient centered)
 Comfort Care Partner ** (patient centered)
 Food Service Assistant (patient centered)
 Pastoral Care** (patient centered)  Prayer Shawl Group (limited patient)
** These areas require additional placement interviews to see if you would be a good fit. Also, some additional credentials are required.
 Reiki ** (patient centered)
 Information Desk (limited patient)
 Pet Therapy** (patient centered)
 Central Sterile (clerical)
 No volunteer will be asked to do anything that they are uncomfortable doing.
 Volunteers should try to agree to serve in areas of greatest need for the hospital.
 Volunteers will have the opportunity to shadow a volunteer in the position(s) they are interested in to help determine if that is an appropriate placement.
 No placement will be made unless the requirements of both the volunteer and the Volunteer Services Staff can be met.
 In some departments, an additional interview and determination will be made by the Department Director.
 We do not place individuals in volunteer service to be trained for paid positions.
 Volunteers are not to approach staff or supervisors during their volunteer shift looking for employment.
 Supervision will be provided to all volunteers through the Volunteer Services staff in coordination with your department director if applicable. The Volunteer Services staff is responsible for the day-to-day management and guidance of volunteers. Any concerns or assistance needed should be directed to the Volunteer Services staff.
 Volunteers will be provided department specific training. On-going training for volunteers will be offered through the year in order to update volunteers on current trends and hospital information.
 In the course of your volunteer responsibilities, you may identify a need for more information and training in a specific area. Please speak with Volunteer Services staff to arrange a possible training.
 Communication is the key to a successful and rewarding volunteer experience. Volunteers are encouraged to talk with our staff if they require clarification regarding their tasks or if they require clarification regarding their tasks or it they have questions in general.
 Complaints and suggestions are welcomed and should be directed toward the Volunteer staff.
 Information that volunteers need in order to perform their duties, as well as updates are distributed regularly.
Please check the volunteer bulletin board in the Volunteer Services Office each time you arrive for your scheduled assignment.

 Berkshire Medical Center strives to maintain a safe and productive workplace with honest, trustworthy, qualified, reliable and non-violent volunteers.
 The Volunteer Services department will act in accordance BHSP 113 – Applicant Reference Checking and
Requests for References (a copy of BHSP 113 is available upon request) which states: o
Applicants will be made aware during the interview process that employment (volunteering) with the
Medical Center is contingent upon receipt of appropriate reference information. Further, if information becomes available through medical examination, background checking or through the general screening process indicating the unsuitability of the applicant for employment (volunteering), the Medical Center in its sole discretion may terminate the employment (volunteer) relationship. o
All reference material received will be held in strict confidence and will be placed in the volunteer's personnel file if an offer of employment (volunteering) is extended and accepted.
 Prospective and current volunteers are expected to cooperate fully with the reference and background checks which include signing a consent form to conduct a background check.
 Because volunteers make a commitment of support our patients and staff it is important that they are reliable.
Please commit yourself to punctuality and regular attendance.
 Call or e-mail your assignment supervisor if you must be late or absent and clear changes in your schedule with the Volunteer staff.
 If you will not be volunteering for several weeks or months, please notify us as soon as possible.
 All volunteers should be able to volunteer a minimum of 3 to 4 hours per week.
 Chronic inconsistencies of attendance may result in the volunteer relationship to be terminated.
 The Volunteer Office is open from 7:30 AM through 3:30 PM Monday through Friday.
 Weekend shifts and flexible hours are available.
 Berkshire Medical Center records hours of all volunteers.
 All volunteers are required to record their hours on the time sheets provided.
 These hours are important to us, in order to designate awards accordingly.
 Berkshire Medical Center is committed to recognizing its volunteers for the invaluable services they perform.
Service pins are awarded for the first 100 hours of service, 500 hours of service, 1000 hours of service, 2000 hours of service, and 3000 hours of service. The final award is the Presidents Call to Service Award that is awarded for 4000 hours of service.
 An annual celebration will be held for the purpose of these awards.
 Volunteers working the equivalent of a full shift, at least 3 hours, are given a complimentary meal ticket.
 Coffee break and snack tickets are also available.
 These are a privilege provided for our volunteers, please respect this and use these tickets appropriately.

 Volunteers that are on the patient floors will be issued photo identification badges by Security. Photo IDs are to be worn at all times while volunteering at BMC. If you are not on the patient floors you will receive a Name badge from the Volunteer Office. Both types of badges should be clearly visible, picture/name side out, and located between the shoulders and the waist for easy reading.
 A lanyard with “volunteer” inscribed on it is available through the volunteer office.
 As a representative of BMC, your appearance is expected to be neat, clean, and professional. Smocks or Red
Golf Shirts are available to any volunteer by the hospital. These are stored at the Volunteer Services Office.
 Student Volunteers are required to wear a red golf shirt provided by Volunteer Services with khakis or white or black pants. Closed toe shoes such as sneakers (something comfortable) can be worn.
 The wearing of attire such as shorts, unusually short skirts or dresses, sundresses (sleeveless backless), Tshirts, (except BMC, in designated areas as defined by the uniform policy), inappropriate undergarments, halter or strapped tops, excessive jewelry, excessive make-up, blue jeans, clothing made of faded, stone washed or blue denim material and similar items of casual attire is not permitted as they do not represent a professional or business-like appearance.
 Hair should be clean, combed and neatly trimmed or arranged. Eccentric styles are not permitted as they may be upsetting to our patients.
 Sideburns, moustaches and beards should be neatly trimmed. Eccentric styles (including neon colors) of facial hair will not be permitted.
 Shoes must be appropriate to the work area and type of work performed to assure safety and good appearance.
The wearing of sandals, open-toed shoes or similar casual footwear is not acceptable in any patient care or service (e.g. Environmental Services, Storeroom, Transport or Nutrition and Food Services) area. The wearing of open-toed shoes is acceptable in non-patient care areas, but sandals are not allowed. Exception to this will occur only with approval of department director and if necessary for the specific nature of work performed.
 All potentially visible tattoos must be covered where practical.
 Piercings above the neck are discouraged as they may be disturbing to our patients. More than one facial piercing will not be allowed. The wearing of ear lobe plugs will not be permitted.
 Any employee having direct patient contact may not wear artificial nails.
 Perfume, cologne or any other substance that could potentially create an offensive odor for patients or coworkers should not be used while at work.
 Loose fitting, baggy clothing should not be worn by employees who work with machinery.
 Extremely tight clothing should not be worn as it is confining, not permitting free movement and could be disturbing or distracting to patients.
 Pants should be appropriately belted and worn at the waist. Capri’s should be of a professional business nature.
 Long hair that hangs loosely around the head and shoulders is not appropriate for nursing division employees as well as those who work in food service areas.

 In order to assure your safety, please have your ride pick you up promptly after your shift.
 Volunteers may park in visitor parking areas.
 Valet parking is available to volunteers without charge as well.
 You are spending a lot of time in training to be able to access many areas of the hospital that otherwise you would not be able to enter.
 While you are working at BMC we ask that you not bring friends with you for a shift nor have people come to visit you.
 Berkshire Medical Center provides a smoke-free environment and prohibits cigarette, pipe, cigar and other smoking within BMC buildings, enclosed walkways, elevators and hospital-owned vehicles.
 Smoking at public entrances to BMC buildings, including the entire front entrance area is prohibited, except in designated areas.
 BMC Policy BHSP156 – SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT is available upon request.
 It is the policy of Berkshire Medical Center to assure the safety and well being of its patients and employees in a drug free work place.
 BMC Policy BHSP 109 – DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE is available upon request.
 Berkshire Medical Center accepts the service of volunteers with the understanding that such service is at the sole discretion of the Berkshire Medical Center.
 Volunteers engaged in inappropriate behavior; i.e. horseplay, using foul language, gossiping, using cell phones during service times, and other discourteous behavior may be immediately dismissed from the program.
 Volunteers agree that the organization may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to terminate the volunteer’s relationship with the Berkshire Medical Center or to make changes in the nature of their volunteer assignment.
 It is important that you notify Volunteer Services with changes in your: o
Mailing address o
Telephone number o
E-mail address o
Emergency contact o
Volunteer status

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Volunteer’s Name (Please Print)
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Signature
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Date