OAK LAWN Be a Hospital Magician: Bring joy and magic to sick kids in hospitals

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Open Heart Magic (OHM) is a Chicago based Children's Foundation that brings hope to children struggling in hospitals, reinvigorating their youthful enthusiasm and helping them get better using the therapeutic power of magic and laughter.

Open Heart Magic magicians are all business professionals who volunteer their time to work one on one with the children at their hospital bedside. As a therapeutic Hospital Magician, you'll bring laughter and wonder to kids who need it most...vulnerable, scared kids undergoing medical treatment. You'll take their minds off their fears and - most important - help them feel empowered. Last year, our Hospital Magicians reached over 5,000 young kids and teenagers. We need more magicians to reach more kids.

Have Fun, Change Lives

With Open Heart Magic, it's not just the kids who feel better. Our Magicians tell us they look forward to their hospital visits all week long. They say that - after a visit - they basically float for the rest of the day. A Hospital Magician gets to be a part of so much joy. You delight your patients by performing magic at their bedsides. Then you empower them by showing them how it's done. Until your next visit, you leave them with magic supplies; a booklet with more magic tricks to learn; and a sense of being in control.

No Need to Know Magic

You don't need to know magic to be an OHM magician. You just need to be committed to learning the magic techniques that we will teach you. You'll receive training one evening a week for 12 weeks, plus practice on your own. You'll develop confidence and have fun as you learn sleight of hand, fundamentals of strong close-up magic, techniques on empowering kids and adapting magic to different medical situations (i.e. performing magic with a child who cannot use his hands).

Not Your Typical Magicians

We are not child party magicians or clowns wearing funny outfits. To build rapport and make kids laugh, we often use self-deprecating humor. If you are not able to laugh at yourself or do not have a sense of humor, please do not apply.

TIMES OF SERVICE/HOSPITAL LOCATIONS: Hospital Magicians visit kids every other week. We are currently placing volunteers at Advocate Christ Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn. Each visit to the hospital lasts approximately 120 - 150 minutes.

TRAINING LOCATIONS AND TIMES: Magic University Training for this Open Heart Magic position will begin in August 2012. Two-hour training sessions will be held weekly at 6:00 PM, usually on Mondays or Wednesdays. The location of Magic U will be held downtown at our office at 300 W Adams which is near public transportation and the Metra station. Trainees will be evaluated on two levels. You will first be evaluated on your performance of magic routines. The second evaluation is on your adaptation techniques and ability to work in a hospital room. A simulated hospital room will be provided for this evaluation. After you've passed both evaluations, you'll feel confident that you can successfully work with kids. You'll be able to relax and have a truly good time!

We're looking for dedicated, high energy, fun, outgoing individuals with a sense of humor, plus the sensitivity and social skills to work with kids and families who are going through a difficult time. Because Hospital Magicians visit Intensive Care, Neurology, Pediatrics and Oncology, we’re looking for individuals with the "heart" to help kids who are seriously or chronically ill.

Performance experience in the arts, magic, comedy, teaching, public presentation, business facilitation or any similar activity is highly regarded. Being an interesting, interactive, engaging character is helpful to being a great magician. Previous experience in volunteering is highly regarded. You must have an interest in learning magic, as this art requires dedication to learn and practice skills. The magic routines taught are professional level, extremely visual and astonishing, yet they can be learned in a shorter time due to our experience training magicians.

Your commitment to learning to become a Hospital Magician and to being present at all scheduled service times is paramount. These kids will be depending on you to come and do magic. If you travel often or have an unpredictable schedule, please do not apply.

A commitment to at least one year of service is required: This is due to the extensive training investment required to prepare you to skillfully and confidently perform close-up magic. You will need to consistently provide service every other week as part of the program. Turnover is extremely low and these positions are valued.

YOU MUST PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK, BLOOD TESTS AND DRUG TESTS: You are required to pass a strict background check and blood tests. Your immunizations, including an annual flu shot, must be up to date. You are required to follow hospital and Open Heart Magic procedures and best practices as they relate to patient interaction, health and privacy guidelines and aspects of your volunteer service. We know it sounds like a lot of requirements but, once you pass them, you'll be able to do something absolutely amazing for these kids. Plus, you'll get to know a group of funny, energetic, interesting 30-something magicians who - besides being dedicated to this important cause - know how to have fun. This includes our annual appreciation dinner where OHM will treat you to an evening of good times and celebrate your success helping kids.

Thank you for your good intent. We look forward to speaking with you. We only have a limited number of volunteer positions and they go quickly, so please apply now!