I volunteer on Thursdays
For about three months now, I wear white pants every Thursday (yes, even after Labor Day). Only because it is an integral part of my volunteer uniform along with the over sized, royal blue smock. After a day of orientation, a TB test and a background check, I am officially part of the Little Company of Mary family :)
For the first two days, you are a "floater" where your responsibilities circle around duties such as discharging patients, delivering specimens, transferring equipment, DELIVERING FLOWERS and many other little things. I was amazed at how many things go unnoticed in a hospital environment and it felt good to be a part of that invisible operation. After my floating training, they assigned me to Labor and Delivery (post partum).
Here, I made ice packs, passed out dinner trays, collected dinner trays, put together grab and go kits, broke down charts of discharged patients etc etc. I was quickly reputed as the best ice-pack-making volunteer (dude, it's just like wrapping lumpiang shanghai). I liked working here since I got to listen in on the turn over from the day to night nurse. They would sit in the conference room and orient and update the next nurse about their patients. I loved hearing this!!! I couldn't help but imagine myself in those shoes....
After a while though my Filipina "supervisor" wasn't giving me anything to do. She was always complaining about how she never knows when a volunteer is going to come. How is it so hard to remember that she'll have my extra hands EVERY Thursday from 3-7PM?!?! One time when I got there, she says, "Hay nako! Walang nang trabaho! Why don't you just go home and come back tomorrow?" To which I replied, " Sige Tita, balik na lang ako. Punta na lang ako sa gym ngayon!"
For a couple more Thursdays, I felt that they really didn't need my help. Maybe it was because of my available schedule. So I asked to be reassigned. Enter Diagnostic Center on Fashion Way.
On my first day there, Gloria (a high-glam quasi-retired volunteer) greeted me with such enthusiasm. She introduced me to everybody at the front desk who all seemed to be really very welcoming. I hate to compare but the atmosphere at the diagnostic center was more my cup of tea. People were actually pleasant and had time to chat. I also noticed that even the technicians were all pretty much happy. It was a happy happy place.
My job: I take the patient (after they get their paper work done) and take them to get changed into their robes and lead them to the proper waiting area. After which I take their chart and bring it to the proper lab. MRI, CT Scan, Bone Density, Ultrasound and Xray. Remember: They can always keep their underpants on :P
So because of me, the wait time is drastically cut short and the traffic of the clinic is a lot smoother... at least on Thursdays from 4-7PM. Oh! And I get double hours since it's outside hospital grounds. Just a little more and I'm entitled to free meals. Yay!
So this is what I look forward to every Thursday. This is what I'll be doing in about thirty minutes. And even if I sacrifice a little (unpaid) time with my regular job, it is sooooo worth it!
Cheers.
For the first two days, you are a "floater" where your responsibilities circle around duties such as discharging patients, delivering specimens, transferring equipment, DELIVERING FLOWERS and many other little things. I was amazed at how many things go unnoticed in a hospital environment and it felt good to be a part of that invisible operation. After my floating training, they assigned me to Labor and Delivery (post partum).
Here, I made ice packs, passed out dinner trays, collected dinner trays, put together grab and go kits, broke down charts of discharged patients etc etc. I was quickly reputed as the best ice-pack-making volunteer (dude, it's just like wrapping lumpiang shanghai). I liked working here since I got to listen in on the turn over from the day to night nurse. They would sit in the conference room and orient and update the next nurse about their patients. I loved hearing this!!! I couldn't help but imagine myself in those shoes....
After a while though my Filipina "supervisor" wasn't giving me anything to do. She was always complaining about how she never knows when a volunteer is going to come. How is it so hard to remember that she'll have my extra hands EVERY Thursday from 3-7PM?!?! One time when I got there, she says, "Hay nako! Walang nang trabaho! Why don't you just go home and come back tomorrow?" To which I replied, " Sige Tita, balik na lang ako. Punta na lang ako sa gym ngayon!"
For a couple more Thursdays, I felt that they really didn't need my help. Maybe it was because of my available schedule. So I asked to be reassigned. Enter Diagnostic Center on Fashion Way.
On my first day there, Gloria (a high-glam quasi-retired volunteer) greeted me with such enthusiasm. She introduced me to everybody at the front desk who all seemed to be really very welcoming. I hate to compare but the atmosphere at the diagnostic center was more my cup of tea. People were actually pleasant and had time to chat. I also noticed that even the technicians were all pretty much happy. It was a happy happy place.
My job: I take the patient (after they get their paper work done) and take them to get changed into their robes and lead them to the proper waiting area. After which I take their chart and bring it to the proper lab. MRI, CT Scan, Bone Density, Ultrasound and Xray. Remember: They can always keep their underpants on :P
So because of me, the wait time is drastically cut short and the traffic of the clinic is a lot smoother... at least on Thursdays from 4-7PM. Oh! And I get double hours since it's outside hospital grounds. Just a little more and I'm entitled to free meals. Yay!
So this is what I look forward to every Thursday. This is what I'll be doing in about thirty minutes. And even if I sacrifice a little (unpaid) time with my regular job, it is sooooo worth it!
Cheers.