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Tuomey Healthcare System's 100-year history is grounded in being a good community partner and the art of giving. Today, our volunteer programs prove that spirit is alive and flourishing in this community. Tuomey's hundreds of volunteers give of themselves each day, ensuring a long-term commitment to Sumter's health and improving the lives of everyone they touch.
Our volunteers play a vital role in providing excellence health care. Tuomey has approximately 280 adult volunteers, 60 Junior Volunteers and 80 Medical Explorers. Our oldest volunteer right now is 97, proving you're never too old to give back to your community.
If you would like more information about volunteering at Tuomey, please contact us at (803) 774-8658 or cybilwilliamson@tuomey.com. Let us show you how rewarding volunteering can be.
Steps to Becoming an Adult Volunteer
1. Fill out an application, providing two references.
2. Meet with volunteer services manager to discuss openings, your interests, volunteer rules and have first PPD planted (TB test).
3. Tuomey performs an extensive criminal check.
4. If approved, you will train with an existing volunteer until you are comfortable with your role and responsibilities.
5. You will be placed in an area you choose.
6. Scheduling is flexible and depends upon your availability and the area in which you are assigned. Mornings, afternoons or the middle of the night--you decide!
Medical Explorers
The Medical Explorers program is open to all Junior Volunteers and other high school students interested in learning about different medical professions. Explorers meet one evening each month, usually off-site, to learn about a different specialty ranging from emergency medicine, developmental pediatrics and dermatology to rehab, sports medicine and radiology.
Tuomey also offers an all-day shadowing program called Career Tracks where we match Explorers with a professional in their career of interest. This year, some of the more unique professions of interest included forensics, veterinary medicine, surgery (Explorers actually scrub in!) and family practice. Additionally, field trips are a part of the program. Last summer we toured the Southeast Ambulatory Care Center in Myrtle Beach then went to dinner at Medieval Times.
Because this program is affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, the cost is minimal. An $18 uniform top must be purchased.
Junior Volunteers
This year-round program, open to young adults aged 13 to 18, is a vital part of our healthcare system. The youth who participate are responsible and committed. In fact, for the past two years, our teenage nominees have won the S.C. Governor's Volunteer Award in the youth category. Following is more about how to become a Junior Volunteer and what the position means on an ongoing basis.
1. Fill out an application, write a short essay explaining why you want to be a junior volunteer, and provide two references, one of which must be a current teacher. (We work out other arrangements for home-schooled students.)
2. Tuomey accepts approximately 30 students per semester. Each volunteer must participate in an all-day orientation class (held twice a year in January and late May/early June) and attend a CPR class before starting work. (Accepted volunteers will be notified approximately one month before the orientation date.)
3. You will train with an experienced teenager on your first day and will most likely work on the nursing floors, in sterile processing or the print shop.
4. Your work schedule is flexible and keeps school a top priority. Usually during the school year, students work once a week either after school or on weekends. During the summer, you can work all day or weekends. And you may volunteer in more than one area of the hospital or on more than one day.
We have a party for all Junior Volunteers during volunteer week in April and an awards party during the summer. We welcome the opportunity to write recommendation letters for college, scholarships, etc. for our Junior Volunteers.
Service Areas and Benefits
Current departmental openings for volunteers include:
- day surgery, front desk, dietary and surgical waiting
- ER reception area
- print shop
- courtesy cart and secretarial support (especially the Maternity Clinic and the Sumter Family Health Center)
Other volunteer areas and roles include:
- floor hosts to assist the nursing staff
- Born to Read program--visiting new moms to explain the importance of reading
- Emergency Department
- recovery room
- rehab (inpatient and outpatient)
- Outpatient Imaging Center at Tuomey Medical Park
- ICU Waiting Room
- sterile processing
- greeters
Benefits of volunteering include:
- annual blood work (the same service Tuomey employees receive)
- free PSA or mammogram each year after one year of service
- invitations to Tuomeyfest, birthday parties, annual awards luncheon, and the Christmas Party
- several community discounts (the same service Tuomey employees receive)
- meal tickets for each shift worked
- best of all, meeting new friends
Save yourself a trip to hospital:
download your Volunteer Application and Health Check Form here.
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