Become an Ambassador with Dana Farber

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Become an AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Volunteer and serve with the Dana Farber (must be 55+)

Patients and families often find themselves overwhelmed, lost, and unaware of the many resources available to them at Dana-Farber and in the Boston area. It can be difficult to navigate a complex system while balancing the physical and emotional tolls of illness. Friendly support, guidance, and access to helpful information can help easy anxiety and frustrations; it also can help patients and families feel more in control of their experience and less overwhelmed.

The Ambassador Program seeks to provide patients, family members, visitors, and staff with friendly and helpful volunteers who offer directions within YCCC, throughout the Dana-Farber campus, escort patients to appointments while helping answer questions along the way; provide one-on-one support to help a patient or family member someone who might otherwise feel lost and overwhelmed; provide information about Dana-Farber programs and resources.

Goal: Patients and family members will feel welcomed, supported, aware of available resources, and assisted in finding their way. Patients and families will experience decreased anxiety, greater knowledge of available resources, and increased satisfaction of their overall care.

Activities:
- Being visible in all patient entrances
- Escorting patients and families to appointments by foot
- Providing comfort, support, and empathy
- Maintaining confidentiality at all times
- Providing directions within YCCC, throughout the DFCI campus, and to BWH and CHB
- Understanding patient flow to help patients and families understand the nature of their appointment day
- Providing information as needed/requested about Dana-Farber programs
- Directing patients and families to the appropriate program or resource for additional information
- Attending routine Ambassador meetings
- Depending on timing of shift, distributing lunches or art supplies to patients in infusion areas

Training and Education:
1. Complete Volunteer Services Orientation
2. Shadow Ambassador Volunteer
3. Attend quarterly volunteer meetings (remote)
4. Work closely with Volunteer Services Staff to triage issues as they come up
5. Cross-train in other roles as needed including lunch cart and art cart
6. Attend one in-service training per year (remote)

Commitment:
One 3-hour shift per week for one year.

Requirements:
- Occupational health clearance including COVID-19 vaccination and booster
- Background check
- Volunteers must be able to be on their feet for the three-hour shift
- Volunteers must be able to transport patients in wheelchairs and push a lunch cart (40+ pounds)

To Qualify:

• Complete and pass a CORI Check
• 55 +Years or older

We offer reimbursement for some out-of-pocket expenses, ongoing training and support, access to events in the City of Boston, and an invitation to our annual volunteer recognition event.

Call (617) 635-4374 to sign up!