Service and Volunteer Opportunities

for Pre-Med Students & Orientation Questions

Marion County Health Department:
Shadow and observe doctors and nurses in the clinic.Contact Jinny Powell at 361-2677, Tuesday through Thursday 7am to 5:30pm to set up a time.

Willamette Valley Hospice:
Various opportunities available including hospice volunteer training.
Contact: Rose Mary Bilstein at 503-588-3600.

Oregon Health Action Campaign:
This agency focuses on education and organization rather than the service aspect of health care. Get involved with research on Health care policies in Oregon, data collection, speaking with citizens on the phone about how to access and health care and how to use their health plan better. Contact Ellen Pinney at 581-6830 ext. 2

Red Cross:
Several different programs are in need of volunteers. Instruct first-aid and CPR, be a presenter on HIV-AIDS (training provided), or teach youth about safety. For a more personal aspect, get involved with Emergency Services Disaster Training and help families affected by disaster ie: respond to single family fires, assess their needs, distribute vouchers for needs.
Call 585-5414.

Salem Hospital:
Get involved with the Emergency Friends Program, or volunteer in the North OR: recovery room for day surgery, or on patient floors. Volunteers will need to attend one 2-hour training/orientation session, and attend a short appointment for an interview and some paperwork. They also need to commit to at least one shift per week; shifts are 2-4 hours depending on the department.
Contact the volunteer office at 370-5277 to find out when the next training session begins.
Shadowing and internships are done through Human Resources. For doctor shadowing and surgery observation, or to set up an internship, contact Beverly Spink at 370-5227 (Don't get these numbers confused! They are very similar.)

West Salem Clinic:
Do you speak Spanish? This clinic needs volunteers who can interpret for patients. Also, people are needed to do waiting room maintenance which includes making sure patients are being helped within a reasonable amount of time, and making sure that policies are being followed. Volunteers can also stock rooms with medical supplies, label sample medications, and shadow doctors in the clinic.
For more information contact Lynn Martin, Clinic Director, at 588-5804.

Willamette Emergency Medical Service:
If you are a certified First Responder or EMT-Basic, you can volunteer for WEMS. WEMS provides professional, on-campus, rapid response medical care to students, faculty and guests of Willamette University. Contact the Director of WEMS, at 370-6697.

Guadalupe Clinic, Salem:
A clinic for Latinos in this area. Volunteers must be fluent in Spanish. Jobs include, but are not limited to, answering the phone and making appointments, cleaning and setting up examination rooms, putting patients in rooms; versatility and willingness to tackle any job are important qualities for volunteers.
Call Vickie Latimer, 364-5818

Orientation Questions to Ask Volunteer Organizations
Read these questions over to help you focus on what kind of experience you want to have. Then when you meet with an organization, ask them some or all of these questions to find out whether the experience will fit your needs. Be open minded too, every experience brings learning.

(in no particular order)

What is the general purpose of your agency?
May I have a tour of the facility?
Who are your clients?
How often do the clients frequent the agency?
How do the clients hear about this agency or the services you provide?
What is your role in the agency?
Will you be my supervisor, and if not, when may I meet her/him?
What types of volunteer options are available at this agency?
What types of projects are available for me to do?
What projects do you need me to do?
How are things communicated in this agency? (Memos, meetings, etc.)
I would like to learn more about _________________. What opportunities are available for me to do that?
Do you have a training manual for my type of service project?
What are the roles of volunteers in this agency?
Will I have the opportunity to work with other volunteers?
Who should I go to if I have questions?
How will you give me feedback about my work?
How did you get involved in this agency?
What are some of the main issues facing this agency?
What services to you/the agency provide to clients?
What is the agency’s mission?
Are there similar programs in Salem? Nationwide?
Do you have any materials I can read about the agency?
How did the agency begin?
Has the focus of the agency changed over time? If so, why?
How is the agency funded?