Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine specialties are expanding their office space. Sleep services will remain in Suite D-24 and Pulmonary will move to Suite D-21, 25 Newell Road in Bristol, beginning March 25.

Caring Today For Your Tomorrow

Volunteer

Wherever volunteers serve, their extraordinarily generous donation of time and service is vital to Bristol Health’s success, and helps make us, and our community, a special place.

Volunteering at Bristol Health

Sharing your compassion, talents and expertise is what makes becoming a volunteer at Bristol Health is a rewarding experience. Our volunteers are an integral part of operations and help to create a comforting environment for our patients and families. More than 200 volunteers provide service to 30 different departments and programs at Bristol Health, donating over 20,000 hours each year.

Wherever volunteers serve, their extraordinarily generous donation of time and service is vital to Bristol Health’s success, and helps make the hospital a very special place.

Adult Volunteer Program

The Adult Volunteer Program is designed to engage volunteers seven days a week. Adult volunteers usually work shifts of two to four hours per day and may work one or more days/evenings per week depending on scheduling needs. Assignments are determined based on skills, personality and interests. The following are some of the volunteer opportunities available:

Patient and Customer Relations

The Information Desk Volunteers welcome visitors, assist with directions, and provide information about the hospital to guests, as well as giving patient information and answering phone inquiries.
 
The Patient and Guest Escort greets, escorts or transports patients and visitors (by wheelchair) throughout the hospital.

Patient Support

Patient Care Unit Volunteers assist patients, families, and staff in the patient care area by performing safety checks and clerical duties, running errands, assisting with patient discharges, interacting with patients to make them more comfortable and ensuring patient needs are met.
 
The Cancer Care Center Volunteers provide assistance to staff in caring for patients.  They will get nourishment and beverages for patients, offer comfort or other items as requested by the patient.
 
The Emergency Room Volunteers support patients and families in the Emergency Department, and assists staff by running errands and helping with variety of tasks such as bringing blankets to patients, searching for wheelchairs and other such jobs.
 
The Eucharistic Minister Volunteers distribute the Eucharist to patients who request and are able to receive it.
 
The Hospice Volunteers share their time and talents with Hospice patients and their families, providing companionship to patients and supporting caregivers and families in various ways (reiki, music, playing cards, reading, discussing hobbies, or just sitting quietly). Hospice volunteers receive ample training regarding basic Hospice principles and end-of-life care.
 
Patient Representative/Safety Support Volunteers meet and greet new patients, and introduce patients and families to the Patient Relations Program and the Patient Bill of Rights. They offer support, act as a resource and report any patient concern. These volunteers also check patients to ensure personal items are within reach, make sure patients understand how to utilize their call bells, and make sure their needs are met.
 
Ingraham Manor (Adult Care) Volunteers assist the recreation and other staff in transporting patients, talking to patients, playing cards or reading to patients, and assisting with patient activities.
 
The Pet Therapy Volunteers bring their dogs to visit patients and offer comfort. Training and certification are required.
 
Reiki Volunteers are certified reiki practitioners who provide gentle hands-on healing touch and relaxation to patients.
 
Tender Touch Volunteers are trained to provide hand and foot massages to patients.
 
Clerical Volunteers are utilized as receptionists, assist with answering phones and perform various clerical tasks including mailings, filing, faxing, etc. In addition, volunteers with computer skills may be involved with various computer projects.

Spiritual Care Volunteers are spiritual companions who, under the direction of the Hospital or Hospice Chaplain, provide a confidential and sacred space to our patients, families, and staff to process matters of the heart, mind, soul and spirit. Spiritual Care volunteers look to bring hope, purpose, meaning and connectedness to the bedside.

As a Spiritual Care volunteer you must be open to many cultural, spiritual, faith and non-faith based and/or religious values we all hold. Your lens on this team will be to discern how ones personal spirituality and practices affect their medical care, shape their medical decisions and influence end-of-life issues.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers in Receiving and Distribution assist in delivering packages and supplies to various departments throughout the hospital.

The Volunteer Process, for adults 18 and over: 

  • Complete application
  • Participate in interview conducted by Volunteer Services
  • Have Medical Information form completed by your physician
  • Have a TB test
  • Attend/complete orientation

Junior Volunteer Program

The Junior Volunteers must be 14 years of age. They are assigned to work in most departments within the hospital. The program provides invaluable experience for young adults.The Junior Volunteer Program has two offerings.

  1. The Academic Year Program is coordinated with high school students, making it possible for them to gain valuable experience in the hospital setting. The Junior Volunteers report to the hospital after school and work until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  2. The Summer Junior Volunteer Program is designed to provide the Junior Volunteers with a meaningful experience and to explore different careers in healthcare. The Junior Volunteers work from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Junior Volunteer Program Process

  • Complete application and e-mail the completed application to: volunteerteam@bristolhospital.org
  • Participate in interview conducted by Volunteer Services
  • Have School Reference Form completed by Guidance Counselor
  • Have Medical Information form completed by your physician
  • Have TB test
  • Attend/complete orientation

Junior Volunteer Application

News, Advice & Stories

Jun 21, 2019

Celebrating New Downtown Building | Bristol Health News

In honor of the opening of their new building downtown, Bristol Health is hosting a celebration outside the Medical Care Center with food, music and games.

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Apr 05, 2019

Bristol Hospital At Senior Fair | Bristol Health News

At Bristol Eastern High School, about 40 attendees came to see Dr. Bellezza who was giving free foot and ankle checks to those with chronic foot and ankle pain.

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Jan 14, 2019

2018 Lights Of Love Campaign To Support Bristol Hospice Program

Bristol Hospital has once again launched its 2018 Lights of Love campaign to support the hospice program of Bristol Homecare and Hospice.

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Oct 29, 2018

Bristol Agency Honors Local Family | Bristol Health News

Local family was honored at Bristol Homecare and Hospice Agency for special care they provided last year to the family of 57 year-old Michael Gullotta.

Read More

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