Patient Education Pavilion Volunteer

Mount Sinai Hospital’s Patient Education Pavilion (PEP) provides a range of resources and services for inpatients, outpatients, their families and friends. The Pavilion’s online health information supports patients and families and allows them to participate in their health care and positively influence health outcomes and quality of life. Volunteers in the Pavilion will help to provide patient and family-centered care by ensuring patients and families receive reliable and up-to-date information from trusted on-line resources, videos, and e-learning.

OUTCOMES:
The following are outcomes of Volunteer involvement:
• PEP Volunteers will ensure that patients, families and visitors receive reliable health information
• Patients will know they can come to the PEP with health questions and concerns
• Patients’ knowledge about health conditions will be enhanced by time spent in the PEP
• Patients will be more capable in searching for online health information
• Patients will leave the PEP feeling that their questions have been attended to and that they have been “heard”

ACTIVITIES:
Volunteers will be supported by the Information Specialist. Duties may include:
• Open/close the Pavilion at designated times
• Respond to specific health information requests from patients and visitors
• Support users on the use of the Internet for finding reliable on-line health information
• Conduct simple web searches for reliable on-line health information
• Assist patients and caregivers with printing health documents
• Assist patients and caregivers with connecting to the wireless network
• Assist in preparation of monthly Powerpoint presentations on different health topics
• Maintain the appearance of the PEP
• Maintain usage statistics
• Ensure that resources are available and working (computers, printers, television)
• Advise on ordering brochures and other print health materials
• Extra duties as required (will be discussed with volunteer)

SKILLS:
• Previous library or related experience (i.e. teaching) or a professional health care background an asset, but no required
• Excellent customer service skills
• Can competently perform web searches
• Ability to problem solve patient concerns
• Proficient with computers

ATTITUDE:
• Ability to empathize with patients, family members, and visitors
• Ability to maintain boundaries of position; volunteers will refrain from providing advice of any sort

COMMITMENT:
• Volunteers should be prepared to make a 6-month commitment
• Volunteers must participate in 2 training sessions; a General Hospital Volunteer Orientation and a 45-minute Pavilion specific training that includes scenario-based learning and online searching for health information
• All volunteers must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19

If you would like to volunteer in the Patient Education Pavilion please email your CV to:
[email protected]

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.