Volunteer Opportunity Details:

The Emergency Dept Case Management Program at SFGH works with people who are frequent users of the medical emergency services at SFGH. Our program is housed, with the Healthy San Francisco Program, on the hospital campus in Building 80 second floor and we are open for appointments and drop-in clients from 8:15 AM to 4 PM (we close noon to 1 PM.) We provide outpatient counseling, medical care and crisis services.

Escort:
Clients served by EDCM may need help getting to hospital-based specialty clinic appointments or to X-ray. Volunteer escorts are very helpful.

EDCM is also developing and off-site activities program helping clients access community events such as museums. plays, sports, etc. We are developing a role for volunteer escorts to these events as well.

Staff and volunteers take one-hour shifts to be available, at a reception window that looks out on the waiting area, to greet clients and alert staff to the client's arrival.

Receptionist:
The position (with supervision and staff availability and support) involves asking clients who they are here to see, or, finding out the nature of their visit and contacting staff about the person waiting. The position also involves keeping an eye on the milieu of people waiting and ensuring that if someone should be upset or frustrated or demonstrate any problem needing immediate attention that staff are alerted to respond.
Sometimes people may come in and be prone to discussing their personal information in a public setting. The receptionist helps to redirect them and their conversation in a way that maintains their confidentiality and preserves calm in the waiting area.

We have found that people with a calm manner and good 'people skills' do very well in this position.

We have gotten feedback and staff certainly find that it is an interesting a rewarding way to meet our clients and help people feel relaxed as they await services.

There is a computer at the reception area desk for other work or interests that the receptionist may have while on their shift.

Volunteers are trained in managing agitated or potentially assaultive behaviors. Staff are available for immediate response when an occasional problem with agitated behavior arises.
Because there are occasional incidents when people become agitated a volunteer with mobility problems, particularly if wheelchair bound, may not feel personally comfortable but this should be individually assessed.

This opportunity is sponsored by: SFGH Dept Of Psych /Emergency Dept Case Mgmt

We need volunteers who are free at these times Weekdays This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Adults (26-54) Adults (55+)

Contact Person: Kathy O'Brien, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

1001 Potrero- 7th Floor San Francisco, CA 94110 (See a map)

Directions:

EDCM is located on the SFGH hospital campus, in Building 80 second floor (Ward 82)at corner of 22nd St and Potrero Ave   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 24th and Mission,   Walk distance (in minutes): 20   Nearest Bus Stop: #9, #48 and #33, 5 minute walk

Web Site: http://insidechnsf.chnsf.org/

Last updated on March 9, 2010