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Yes, we do have an active group of MH visitors. I dont really know the history of how they got started...they were in place when I started my position 12 years ago. They are a chapter of the national organization, and I require them to be registered as full volunteers in order to visit in my hospital. I do know the other hospitals in my area require the same. The volunteer assignment description for my hospital reads as follows:
Mended Hearts Team
| Duties: |
To visit heart patients in Saint Joseph Hospital
A. Visit, with the approval of the hospital and physicians, pre-operative heart surgery patients.
B. Visit heart surgery patients' families.
C. Visit in the Out-Patient department, waiting rooms and patient rooms.
D. Distribute Mended Hearts approved literature.
E. Demonstrate heart pillows.
F. Discuss Mended Heart's mission.
G. Fill out required paperwork and maintain records.
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| Qualifications: |
A Mended Hearts team member must be a heart patient or spouse accompanying a heart patient, and a member of the Mended Hearts Organization. Mended Hearts team members will complete required training for and be an accredited Mended Hearts visitor. Mended Hearts team members must attend an annual reaccredidation class.
All volunteers must attend a general volunteer orientation as well as a department specific orientation.
Must maintain absolute confidentiality.
Adequate conversational English is required in order that the individual be able to take direction, understand how to complete job tasks, communicate adequately with patients and co-workers as necessary, understand and follow safety guidelines and understand the volunteer handbook and all hospital policies. Must be able to read and write.
As a hospital volunteer, you may be exposed to blood, body tissues or fluids, hazardous waste materials, sudden fluctuations in temperature, outside weather radiation, toxins, poisonous substances, dust, chemicals, bodily injury, and loud or unpleasant noises.
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My office receives a surgery schedule everyday that lists only those patients about to have open heart surgery. The Mended Hearts visitors use that schedule to determine who they will visit. |
