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Volunteering
Volunteer Programs
Parish Health Program
The Parish Health Program began at Saint Alphonsus in
1989, and is a partnership between us and community churches to help meet the
emotional, physical and spiritual needs of the faith community. Under the direction of Sister Alice Mary
Quintana, CSC, R.N., M.S., Saint Alphonsus had coordinated Parish Health for congregations
in the Treasure Valley with Registered Nurses as volunteers. For more information,
contact 208-367-6494.
Saint Alphonsus has also become the site where the Basic Preparation Course for Parish Nursing is available to anyone. The curriculum is supplied by the International Parish Nurse Resource Center, St. Louis, Mo. Since 1989, Idaho has graduated many Parish Nurses. Standards of practice are maintained and set up by the American Nurses Association. The course is given each November.
The Saint Alphonsus Parish Nurse Program requires that all nurses who belong to the congregation coordinated by Saint Alphonsus must take the course within the year they volunteer as a Parish Nurse.
Two additional programs have started in partnership with the Parish Nurse Program and Saint Alphonsus: Partnership in Caring and No One Dies Alone. Through the Partnership in Caring Program, Cancer Care Center patients and Parish Nurses in the Treasure Valley are united. The Parish Nurse journeys with the patient as they are going through their treatment and/or after their treatment is over. The referral comes from the doctor or staff at the Cancer Care Center. Through the No One Dies Alone Program, the reassuring presence of a volunteer companion is provided to dying patients who would otherwise be alone. With the support of the nursing staff, companions are able to help provide patients with the most valuable of human gifts: a dignified death.
Healing Music Program
Volunteer musicians provide music as a service
to comfort and support
patients, family members and staff. Instrumentalists (guitar, flute and
piano) and vocalists provide healing music in designated areas as
arranged through Volunteer Services. Music for the patient bedside—which requires
musicians trained in this specialized field—and for
special needs is also available upon request or by pre-arranged
appointment through Volunteer Services.
Pet Therapy Program
Dogs and their owners visit patients, visitors and
employees. These are
people-loving dogs, and owners have spent a number of hours training their
pets to be around a variety of individuals. Our Pet Therapy Dogs have
passed the testing and orientation offered by the Saint Alphonsus Recreational
Therapy Department.
Caring Clown Unit
Hospital clowns are a joy for patients, families,
visitors and the staff of Saint Alphonsus alike! Our clowns MUST graduate
from the Smile Aide Training Seminar. A clown cart packed full of fun
and laughter has been put together by the clowns to use as they visit the
units.
Junior Volunteer Program
For youth ages 14-18, Saint Alphonsus offers the opportunity
to experience volunteering in a hospital setting through the Junior Volunteer
Program. The
program allows teenagers who may have an interest in a medical profession
to see first hand what actually goes on in a hospital.
For more information about volunteering or our opportunities, e-mail us at volunteers@sarmc.org.
