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 is required.
Pass a criminal background and dependent adult/child abuse registry check.
Attend a placement interview/orientation session.
Complete necessary training.

All UnityPoint Des Moines hospitals have the same requirements. Please contact the hospital of your choice for specifics.

Our Campuses

Iowa Methodist and Blank Children's Hospital

NEW OPPORTUNITY! We are growing and expanding our UnityPoint Health Gift & Flower Shops! We are looking for outgoing and energetic volunteers with a desire to provide excellent customer service. We are building our team for all shifts, any day of the week. We hope you will join our team! If you are interested in volunteering in our Gift and Flower Shops. To apply, please go to the left hand side of this page and click on the IMMC/Blank Children's Volunteer Application. Thank you for your interest.

NEW OPPORTUNITY: Administrative Assistants
The Volunteer Services department currently has openings for Administrative Assistants. The position includes answering phones, taking messages, assisting with walk-ins, printing electronic cards for patients, calling churches when members are admitted to the hospital, and some assembly of projects. Times can be flexible if needed. Mornings: Wednesdays-9 am-12 pm, Afternoons: Any days Monday- Thursdays-12 pm-3 pm. If interested, please complete volunteer application and note interest in Administrative Assistant position.

NEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Surgery Waiting Room
The IMMC/BCH Surgery Waiting Room is a busy place where volunteers play an important role in providing positive customer service to families who are waiting for loved ones in surgery. Volunteers let the families know when surgeons are ready to meet with them following surgeries and provide a helpful, welcoming presence in the waiting room. Volunteers are needed in this area from 3-7 pm on weekdays. Several shifts are available and substitutes are also needed. Volunteers in this area do not provide any medical information to families; that is the responsibility of the surgery staff. If you love helping people and are interested in volunteering in the surgery waiting room from 3-7 pm, please contact Sarah Brix, Sarah.Brix@unitypoint.org.

Critical Care Family Waiting Room
Greet and assist family members and visitors in the family waiting area. Answer questions, guide and direct, and assist taking family members to patient rooms. Provide comfort and a warm and compassionate place for folks to wait while in a stressful time. Monday afternoons noon-4.

Family Resource Library
Volunteers provides support to the Family Resource Library by coordinating medical and health care information, Children's corner, business center for visitors, etc. Weekday daytime-10am-2pm

Iowa Lutheran Hospital

Please fill out the Iowa Lutheran Hospital Volunteer Form (on the left) to request additional information about how to become a volunteer or call 515-263-5227. A few of our volunteer opportunities are highlighted below:

Escort
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 at the main entrance of the hospital to escort patients to departments or to various testing areas. There are three shifts Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., or 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Surgical Waiting Room Host/Hostess
We are looking for volunteers who enjoy interacting with families and staff and who would love to assist anxious families by serving as a host/hostess and as a liaison between families of patients and staff in this fast paced environment. Volunteers will also make coffee, track families and provide communication. Volunteers assist in the surgical waiting room during two shifts Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

SHIIP Counselor
Do you enjoy working one on one with people and problem solving? Love a good mystery? Then the Senior Health Insurance Information Program might be for you! We are in need of volunteer counselors that provide helpful information regarding Medicare coverage, Medicare supplemental insurance, long term care insurance or filing of Medicare claims for people 60 years of age and over. Counselors are trained through the Insurance Commissioner's Office. Once trained must be able to analyze Medicare plans; work independently and have a positive problem solving outlook. Very flexible scheduling.

Volunteer Office Receptionist
Are you looking for a fun and 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 are looking for. Volunteer receptionists use their time and talents to assist in answering the telephone, greeting customers, managing small projects and completing basic computer tasks, etc. Their strong customer service skills helps set the tone for anyone coming into the volunteer office. From walk-in client questions to running errands and helping with projects, the volunteer receptionist is vital to helping the office run smoothly and efficiently.
A variety of shifts are available. Monday – Friday 8:30- 12:30 and 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Methodist West Hospital

The following volunteer opportunities are available at Methodist West Hospital. If you are interested in volunteering for any of the following opportunities, please fill out the volunteer application. After your application has been accepted, the volunteer office will contact you to discuss the health screen, orientation and training process.

Ambassador Volunteer
Methodist West is looking for a volunteer on Monday afternoons from 12-4; Tuesday afternoons 12-4; Fridays from 10-2 or 12-2 at the main information desk located in the main lobby. Our Ambassador volunteers assist the visitors coming into the hospital as well as escort patients and their families to various locations at the hospital. There are 2 volunteers staffed at the desk. If you enjoy interacting with the public and are able to walk to/from various departments at the hospital we would love to visit with you further. Please fill out the application for Methodist West Hospital if you are interested.

Gift Shop
Methodist West is looking for individuals who enjoy working with the public and can provide retail sales in our hospital gift shop. Volunteers must have good customer service skills and enjoy working together as a team with another volunteer. We are needing individuals who can volunteer on a substitute basis which means it is not a permanent weekly shift but on an as needed basis. The volunteer typically knows their scheduled day(s) a month in advance. Day and time varies Monday through Friday from 10:00-1:00 or 1:00-4:00. We have a need for substitutes who can volunteer between 1-3 times per month. We will work with your schedule and availability. Please fill out the application for Methodist West Hospital.

Surgery Waiting Area Desk:
Our surgery waiting area is looking for volunteers who like to multi-task and enjoy dealing with a wide variety of people. The volunteers greet our surgery patients and their families and communicate with them throughout the time they are in the surgery waiting room. Positions are available on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 7-11:30. If you like working with the public as well as working closely with staff, please fill out the application for Methodist West Hospital.

My UnityPoint Volunteer
Current Openings – Tuesdays from 1-4; Wednesdays from 2-4
Volunteers will work with staff to ascertain list of patients needing to be enrolled in MyUnityPoint program. Volunteers will help patients enroll in program on the computer. Must be comfortable on the computer. Training is provided to all volunteers. Must be able to walk throughout your shift and willing to go in patient rooms.

Patient Support Volunteers
Methodist West is needing volunteers in our patient support area. These volunteers assist our Food and Nutrition staff in the cafeteria by restocking silverware and condiments and wipe off tables in the dining area for the first 20 minutes of the shift. They then assist patients on the floors by refilling their water, providing magazines for the patients and their family, notify staff if patient has any questions or needs assistance. This is a great position that offers variety with patient interaction. The volunteer must be comfortable being on their feet and walking from patient room to patient room. The shift is from 9:30-12:30 on Wednesdays. Orientation and training is provided. Please fill out the application for Methodist West if you are interested.