Volunteer Needs From: WVU Center for Community Engagement

EVERY DAY IS VETERAN'S DAY!

Please read the entirety of this description to acknowledge that you understand this volunteer opportunity! 

Virtual Greetings for hospitalized Veterans. Send your personally designed patriotic greeting cards as well get well wishes to hospitalized Veterans at the Louis A. Johnson VAMC. These greetings are printed in color and distributed to Veterans throughout the Medical Center and our Community-Based Outpatient Clinics. 

Please note, we ask that you truly take your time and not simply log-in to Canva or another editing software and add a banner that says 'Get Well.' To receive credit, we ask that you please demonstrate that you have taken time to specifically design and craft each card.

We have noticed that individuals are copying and pasting copyrighted items from various sites

including: Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Etsy.com, etc., we ask that you please be mindful that doing so

is not what was intended for this opportunity. Our goal of this Volunteer Need is to have 'homemade'

cards as if they were receiving virtual cards in the mail. We encourage you not to engage in this

activity. 

Please ONLY send PDF or WORD formatted greetingsPatients enjoy colorful artwork and positive messages. This is a way to express your gratitude to our nation's heroes any day of the year! Send your virtual messages to MAIL4VETS@VA.GOV. We are asking that if you wish to receive 'credit' for any cards made that you submit your time within 1 week of completion for credit. There will be a 20 card maximum offered for volunteer credit 

Here are some GREAT examples of work we have received so far:

Thank you so much! 

Volunteers provide transportation to VA medical appointments to Veterans for whom transportation is a barrier to receiving healthcare. At this time there is an urgent need for volunteer drivers from the Morgantown area to the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg,WV. Opportunities in other counties may also be available. 

Volunteers may choose a window of availability they may set based on their own schedules however this opportunity is best for those who can commit to at least one year of involvement. 

Copy and paste this URL to your browser to fill out basic Volunteer information:  https://ppd-cdcep-volunteernow.dynamics365portals.us/

 

Volunteer drivers typically will use a van provided by the VA that is fully equipped with a plexiglass barrier and full PPE. In some cases a private vehicle may be used but mileage is not reimbursed. Drivers will not be transporting veterans who are ill, only those with regular scheduled medical visits.

Drivers must complete a Veterans Administration background review and have a valid drivers license. There is an additional physical exam provided by VA. You will be provided information and forms to complete when you sign up. This process can take up to 60 days.

Current infection control measures and privacy protection are part of the Volunteer driver training program.

Volunteer Job Summary

Transport ambulatory Veterans to and from their destination to their VA medical appointments.

Volunteers are responsible for cleaning out the inside of the van after each trip using supplies provided to you by VTN.

Follow all Infection Control guidelines for cleaning and Personal Protective Equipment

Collect patient names day or two before driving from Hospital Service Coordinator (HSC) through phone or in person

Contact Veterans the day before to schedule rides to VA medical appointments to ask screening questions. Do not transport patients who have symptoms. Contact the VTN Coordinator office at 7623 or 3669 to make other arrangements for the patient.

Report to the HSC for assignments, will keep log sheets, current and turn in trip tickets upon return to the medical center

Depart the medical center when the last patient has completed or finished with his/her appointment

Report accidents and van deficiencies to HSC

Minimum Requirements

PPD (blood test), complete driver’s physical, valid driver’s license, valid proof of vehicle insurance

Abilities Required

Ability to answer the phone, customer service skills, drive a vehicle, multitask

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Additional Information:

Volunteer has patient information (name and phone number)

Rules for vans:

No relatives or friends of the driver may accompany the volunteer driver on any VA sanctioned trips

Volunteers will not be permitted to accept money and/or gifts from any Veteran patient

Volunteers are not permitted to lift patients

Volunteers and patients must wear seat belts at all times

No smoking in VTN vehicles from volunteers and/or patients

Report any accidents or deficiencies to HSC and Engineering department using the protocol located in the glove compartment of your vehicle.