Phoenix VA Health Care System - Volunteer Service

 Description of Program:

The Phoenix VA Health Care System benefits from the services of over 1000 individual volunteers each year. Our volunteers provide assistance each day to ensure this remains a health care center of excellence. Our volunteers encompass all ages and experiences from the young to the seasoned senior citizen who bring along with them a wealth of life experiences. These volunteers strive to be recognized as leaders in the community and enhance veteran satisfaction through the delivery of compassionate, high quality care.

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 6:00 am to 3:30 pm (except for Federal Holidays).

Location: Building #3, Room 10, which is located just north of the main medical center building.

Eligibility: Minimum age is 14. An annual TB test is required and all volunteers must complete a one time Volunteer Orientation.  Fingerprints and a background investigation are required for all volunteers over the age of 18.

 Volunteer Opportunities

The following is a list of volunteer positions available in Phoenix. This is only a partial list and does not include all opportunities available.

• Guest Services – Escorts patients in wheelchairs or gurneys to designated areas within the medical center. They deliver lab specimens, patient charts and records. Guest Services volunteers also serve as shuttle bus drivers throughout the campus, both inside and outside, picking up veteran patients, family members, visitors and employees from outlying parking lots and transporting them to the main medical center building and the Ambulatory Care Clinic addition.
• Escort Dispatch – receive requests to transport patients, charts and lab specimens.
• Clerical – assists staff members with general clerical work to include answering phones, filing, typing and reception of veteran patients and visitors.
• Recreation – transports patients to activities both on and off campus such as bowling alleys, Diamondbacks baseball games, fishing etc. Assists in the preparation of food and serving patients.
• Information Desk – provides directions to various areas within the medical center and is available for general information.
• State Veterans Home - Various positions available.
• Honor Guard - Ritual Guard.
• VTN Drivers - Valley wide.
• OEF/OIF Program - Various positions available.

Stop by or call the Volunteer Office in Building 3
650 E Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-222-6419

 Volunteer Application Process

All potential volunteers are required to attend a daylong orientation session which covers training mandated by Central Office. This orientation is an introduction to the medical center and contains much the same topics as employee orientation. During this session, volunteers will complete their application forms to include the VHA Privacy Policy Training Record. Volunteers will then be interviewed by supervisors from various disciplines within the medical center and undergo job specific training.

Volunteers will receive a tuberculin test, at no charge to them, and the test will be administered on an annual basis. Photo identification badges will be issued to each volunteer by Police Services upon completion of the background investigation.

 Volunteer Benefits

Volunteers that work four (4) hours or more each day receive a complimentary meal from the Veterans Canteen Service located in the main medical center building.  Volunteer's vehicles must display an issued parking sticker. VA Voluntary Staff annually honor their volunteers with an awards ceremony and banquet to recognize their hours of service to America’s veterans. Contact your Voluntary Staff for additional information.

 Volunteer Orientation Schedule

The sessions are normally held on the first Tuesday and third Monday of each month, dependent upon space availablity.  Contact us for specific date.

Stop by or call the Volunteer Office in Building 3
650 E Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-222-6419

 Youth Volunteers

Voluntary Service considers our youth volunteers an integral part of the overall Volunteer Program. Youths between the ages of 14 and 18 are encouraged to join the program and in return will receive valuable experience and training which will be of benefit in applying for scholarships or employment.

 VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) Committee

Each VA Medical Center has a VA Voluntary Service Committee comprised of representatives from the various veterans 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.

 Special Events

On occasion, local veteran organizations or commercial businesses will organize and sponsor a golf tournament with proceeds being donated to the VA Medical Center.  These proceeds are then used to sustain various programs offered by the VA for its veterans.

 How To Contact Us

Stop by or call the Volunteer Office in Building 3
650 E Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-222-6419

 Donations

Community resources help extend VAVS services. VAVS relies solely on donated support to execute its mission: provide supplemental assistance to the VA and its patients.

To see a list of what material items are needed, click here.

All monetary and material donations should be submitted through the Assistant Administrator, Voluntary Services.

MICHAEL D. ACHEY
Chief, Voluntary Department
650 E Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ. 85012
(602) 222-6419
Fax: (602) 222-6592