Brookings Health System Expands Volunteer Program

Brookings Health System announced today it is expanding its volunteer opportunities available at Brookings Hospital. The announcement coincides with National Volunteer Week, April 23-29, which celebrates and recognizes people who engage and give back to their communities.

“With the new hospital expansion and renovation opening, we’ve worked with team members to identify meaningful ways in which volunteers can help impact the high-quality care we deliver to patients,” said Human Resource Director September Bessler.

Newly added volunteer positions include:

• Information/Wayfinding: help patients and visitors navigate Brookings Hospital, make deliveries to patients’ rooms, and assist with clerical duties.
• Inpatient Care: interact with patients in the swing bed area. Provide companionship by playing games, doing puzzles, sharing interests or simply visiting with patients.
• Gift Shop: assist with daily operations of the gift shop once open in its new location. Activities will vary depending on ability and interest but include: unpacking merchandise, entering merchandise into computer, pricing and displaying merchandise, assisting customers and ringing sales, stocking and light housekeeping of gift shop.

Volunteer candidates may also apply for existing opportunities, including birth/postpartum doulas, hospice and The Neighborhoods at Brookview skilled nursing home.

To become a volunteer at Brookings Health System, candidates should apply for the opportunity areas they are interested in. Brookings Health System will match the candidate to the area that best suits their skills and qualifications. Volunteers must submit their medical immunization records and pass a background check. Candidates may also have to train for the opportunity they apply for.

Volunteers working four-hour or longer shifts will receive a meal voucher good at Brookings Health System’s cafeteria.

For more information or to apply for volunteer opportunities, please visit www.brookingshealth.org/Volunteer. Questions about volunteering may be directed to Volunteer/Gift Shop Coordinator Lisa Rasmussen at volunteer@brookingshealth.org.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic, and medical clinics in Arlington, White and Volga, South Dakota. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, surgical and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.