The Emergency Department volunteer serves as a patient-family advocate for the Duke University Medical Center Emergency Department.

Providing comfort and compassionate listening while protecting patient confidentiality, the volunteers focus is on facilitating a low stress visit to the Emergency Department.

The volunteer may provide comforts such as blankets, wet cloths, and reading materials. Volunteers may provide snacks if permitted by health care staff. Local knowledge of motels, restaurants, and other amenities for the family or visitor is very helpful. Bilinguals are extremely useful, but not a required skill; we prefer Spanish and English speakers.

The volunteer serves as a compassionate listener. The volunteer must have excellent verbal skills, be self-motivated and self-confident, and must be able to work with minimum supervision at a high energy level.

The volunteer needs computer skills and must be comfortable working with a diverse patient population and able to accept the realities of life in the Emergency Department.

Contact Information

Joy Parton, 919-684-3646

E-mail: parto005@mc.duke.edu

Address: PO Box 2895, DUMC
Durham, NC 27710

Time Commitment

Nine to 12 months, one day per week, two to four hours
Students must be 18 years old and commit to two semesters, one day per week, two to four hours

Location

Duke University Hospital

Training

As appropriate for duties, Fire and Safety, Confidentiality.

Application

Required with references, background check and health review.