El Paso VA Health Care System - Volunteer Service

 Description of Program:

The El Paso VA Health Care System consists of the Health Care Center in El Paso and a community based outpatient clinic in Las Cruces. Volunteers can be found working side-by-side with staff at both facilities. The facilities are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 4:45 p.m. (except Federal holidays). The minimum age for volunteers is 14 years and there is no maximum!. All volunteers are required to complete volunteer orientation and TB testing.

 Volunteer Opportunities:

Volunteers perform very vital functions to ensure that our veterans enjoy their visit to our facility. Some of the positions available are:

• Appointment Ambassador - Call patients to remind them of upcoming appointments
• Administrative Clerk - Volunteers assist staff members with answering phones and general clerical work such as filing, typing and reception of veteran patients and visitors.
• Diabetes Education Ambassador - Assist the Diabetes Educator with the program.
• Drivers for DAV Transportation Network - Transport veterans to and from their VA appointments.
• Escort Ambassador - greet visitors, provide information/directions, check out wheelchairs, escort veterans by wheelchair to appointment.  
• Mobile Book Cart - Our volunteers deliver books, magazines and newspapers.
• Patient Ambassador - check-in patients at different medical clinics
• Refreshment Servers - serve refreshments to veterans
• Records Room - File, find/retrieve/deliver medical records to clinics
• Pharmacy Staff Support - Label and package prescriptions for mailout
• Shuttle Cart Driver- Our volunteers provide shuttle cart service to the front entrance of the facility from the parking areas.

 Application Process:

All potential volunteers are required to attend 4 hour orientation session which covers training mandated by Central Office. This orientation is an introduction to the Medical Center as well as its policies, functions and objectives.  It is also an opportunity to learn about volunteer service procedures within the medical center.  

Volunteers are required to receive a tuberculin skin test when they begin volunteering. This test is administered free of charge. The test must be repeated on an annual basis in order to keep your volunteer status with the VA. Photo identification badges will be issues to each volunteer by our Human Resources upon completion of background investigation.  The Supervisor in the assigned area will provide job specific training.

To start the process, contact:

      Voluntary Service Office
      El Paso VA Health Care System
      5001 N Piedras
      El Paso, TX
      Room A325
      Phone: 564-7882

Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. through 4:45 p.m. (except Federal holidays). Tuesday, 9 a.m. through 4:45 p.m

 Volunteer Benefits:

Volunteers serve our veterans for a variety of reasons such as wanting to give back for our veterans sacrifices, staying active in their community, enjoyment of communication, and much more. Volunteers who work 4 hours or more a day are provided a meal in our great Veterans Canteen Service. 

Additionally, every year volunteers receive TB testing, flu shot, and also have a great time at the Volunteer Awards Banquet during National Volunteer Recognition Week.

To top off the list of benefits are free parking, free volunteer apparel and an identification badge.

 Special Events:

Voluntary Service also coordinates many of the internal special events held at the facility. Such events include National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, Empty Stocking Campaign, Volunteer Awards Programs, Memorial Day, Red Cross Blood Drives, fund raising events, and volunteer training.

 How to Contact Us:

Voluntary Service Office
El Paso VA Health Care System
5001 N. Piedras
El Paso, TX
Room A325
Phone:  564-7882      
Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. through 4:45 p.m. (except Federal holidays).  Tuesday, 9 a.m. through 4:45 p.m.

 Donations:

Services and programs for patients and family members are enhanced entirely through donations received through VA Voluntary Service.  This includes programs for our homeless, indigent, and low-income veterans and their families. Your donations also support our awards and reccognition program for our 220 + volunteers who provide valuable time and service in support of our veterans and our health care system.

 

Your donations are processed through the Voluntary Service and used for the purposes as desired by the donor.  If you are interested in making a monetary or material donation, please ensure your donations are submitted through the Voluntary Office program manager.  If you are interested in making a donation and have any questions, please contact our Voluntary Services Office at (915) 564-7881.

We appreciate your support of the El Paso VA Health Care System.

 VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) Committee:

Each VA Medical Center has a VA Voluntary Service Committee comprised of representatives from the various veteran organizations who have members participating in the VAVS program.  This committee is an advisory body and helps coordinate established plans and policies for volunteer participation.