Adult Volunteer
Volunteers at Iowa Methodist, Iowa Lutheran and Methodist West make a difference for our patients, families and staff at the hospitals. We have opportunities for men and women. There can be opportunities both in patient care areas and non-patient areas such as the gift shop, family waiting rooms, clerical support, and more. A typical volunteer assignment is once a week for 2-4 hours. We ask our volunteers to make a six-month commitment.
Requirements to becoming a volunteer:
- Have a desire to help and become a part of our health care team.
- Complete a volunteer application (including contact information for 3 personal references).
- Complete a simple health screening at no cost to you. A seasonal flu vaccine and COVID vaccine are required.
- Pass a criminal background and dependent adult/child abuse registry check.
- Interview/orientation.
- Complete necessary training.
All UnityPoint Des Moines hospitals have the same requirements. Please contact the hospital of your choice for specifics.
Join Our Team
If you love helping people and would like to be a part of our UPHDM Adult Volunteer team, please select the campus you would like to apply for:
Iowa Methodist Medical Center & Blank Children's Hospital
Iowa Lutheran Hospital
Methodist West Hospital
Our Campuses
Iowa Methodist and Blank Children's Hospital
Service Spotlight: HELP Program
What is HELP? The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) was developed by health care experts at Yale University to prevent delirium and physical decline in hospitalized older adults. HELP is now part of quality health care in more than 200 hospitals in the United States and internationally.
The Hospital Elder Life Program at UnityPoint Health works with nurses, doctors and other health care professionals. HELP staff and volunteers receive special program training and education to provide activities and services to assist in keeping patients engaged and active.
We are looking for several volunteers to join the HELP team at Iowa Methodist Hospital. A 6-month commitment is required.
Iowa Lutheran Hospital
Service Spotlights:
Not New Shop
If you would enjoy working with the public and helping to provide a valuable service to the community, then volunteering at the Not New Shop thrift store is for you! We are looking for customer service-oriented individuals to assist customers with purchases, sort and price donations and keep the shop the shop in order.
Gift Shop
Would you enjoy interacting with the public in a fun retail environment? Do you have great customer-service skills? We are looking for individuals to help in our Gift Shop. Volunteers assist customers, ring up sales and help keep the shop organized. Various shifts are available as well as substitute spots. Please join us for a fun fill environment! A great place to learn retail skills and be a part of great retail team.
Escort Volunteer
Do you enjoy talking with people? Would you like to get exercise by walking while you give of your time? Are you good at putting people at ease? Then we need you! We are looking for compassionate individuals to be stationed in the main entrance area of the hospital to escort patients to various testing areas.
Volunteer Office Receptionist
Are you looking for an engaging activity in which you could use your office experience to help others in a friendly atmosphere? Our volunteer receptionist position may be exactly what you're looking for. Volunteer receptionists use their time and talents to assist in answering the telephone, taking messages, referring calls, etc. Their customer service friendliness helps set the tone in for visitors coming to the volunteer office. From walk-in client questions to running errands and helping with assigned projects, the volunteer receptionist position is vital to helping the office run efficiently.
Methodist West Hospital
Service Spotlight: Super Subs
Are you interested in volunteering at Methodist West Hospital but unsure of what you would like to do? Becoming a Super Sub might just be your answer! Super Subs are cross-trained in different positions throughout the hospital. This could include serving as an Ambassador (escorting patients and families to destinations), Surgical Waiting Room Attendant and/or maintaining the Welcome Center. You would have the opportunity to find what you enjoy by getting hands-on experience. This usually leads to a permanent position in the area you are most interested in.