VOLUNTEERING AT PICC

    WHY DOES PICC NEED VOLUNTEERS?

Volunteers are a critical part of the health care team at PICC, providing a special element of love and concern. Because they give their time and talents, volunteers create an irreplaceable atmosphere of warmth and goodwill, and perform numerous services and tasks that enable us to hold our costs to $151 per baby per day compared to hospital care averaging about $3500. Currently, we have the support of over 200 volunteers.

     WHAT ARE THE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT PICC?

Although we refer to this volunteer as a “cuddler”, the duties of this position stretch far beyond the limited opportunities for actually holding and comforting a baby. These duties might include laundry, stocking shelves, dusting or any other chores that will help us maintain a clean, efficient, organized and pleasant facility for the babies. ”Cuddler” positions are scheduled for 1-1/2 hour shifts, once a week between 6:30 AM until 8:30 PM. We want to stress that holding (and maybe even feeding) the little ones here is certainly a part of this position, but the babies here are suffering from the effects of drug-withdrawal and therefore, at times, are unable to be held by anyone other than the nursing staff. Volunteers at PICC need to be 18 years of age.

      REQUIREMENTS

No special skills are necessary, just a love of babies. But you must be able to perform light housekeeping skills such as sweeping, laundry and cleaning. It is very important that a “cuddler” maintain his or her schedule. Substitute lists are available for those days you are unable to make your time.

      HOW DO I BECOME A VOLUNTEER?

For people interested in becoming a volunteer, we have a simple, but key, process to follow (in accordance with our state licensing regulations).

1. INFORMATIONAL TOUR

Potential volunteers are required to take one of the scheduled tours of PICC. These tours are held about once a month and are the starting point to becoming a volunteer.  Information is given about being a PICC volunteer so everyone interested will know what they can expect and if PICC is a good match for them.
A reservation can be made by calling the center:253-852-5253.

2. APPLICATION

Application forms, which will be handed out after the informational tour, need to be completed and returned to Pam Huffman, Director of Public Relations

3. INTERVIEW

If there is a volunteer vacancy that matches the time availability of the applicant, the individual is contacted for a personal interview

4. PAPERWORK

At the interview, the prospective volunteer will also be asked to complete some paperwork. This includes a Criminal History Background Check. Additionally, all volunteers will need to pay for and submit proof of a negative TB Test (PICC has information about where TB tests are conducted.) Nobody is allowed to serve as a cuddler until the TB Test is confirmed negative.

5. TRAINING

Training is the final step. This process takes about an hour and is done one-on-one with PICC’s volunteer trainers.

We count on our volunteers! They are an essential part of keeping our costs down while maintaining a high quality, healthy, happy and secure environment at PICC.

For more information contact:
Pam Huffman, Director of Public Relations
Phone: 253-852-5253
Email: pamhuffman@picc.net