Surgical Waiting Room

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The Surgical waiting room volunteers are the liaison between surgical staff and waiting family and friends. The volunteers working in this area need to be caring, compassionate and helpful. Confidentiality is of vital importance. They need to keep the families in the waiting room informed and comfortable. These dedicated volunteers have to react calmly to all situations that present themselves during any given shift. They must call a chaplain when it seems necessary. The family room across from the waiting room may be used for privacy. The volunteers need to be ready to listen to parents in the waiting room, when they are concerned about their patient. Under these circumstances they may check with the operating room or the recovery room and report back to the parents. Showing patience and a smile helps the parents very much. The volunteers have to remember that surgeons, nurses and parents are often under high stress and they are the calming influence.