Why volunteer?

Examples of services provided by our volunteers include:

• Administrative support
• Aide to families and visitors
• Errands and messengers
• Patient care
• Patient contact
• Special projects and events
• See a list of more opportunities

Certified as a Service Enterprise by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteerism.

At Park Nicollet, some of our best innovations have been shaped by input from patient and family partnership councils. From the revolutionary patient-focused designs of HealthPartners Frauenshuh Cancer Center to innovative care models at Melrose Center, patients are helping create a brighter future at Park Nicollet.

Patient Partners are valuable members of the health care team at Park Nicollet. Patients and family members volunteer their time and perspective to help shape the way we deliver health care. At Park Nicollet, we have 200 Patient Partners who serve across the organization on over thirty advisory councils. These councils provide localized feedback regarding care at various inpatient and clinic settings.

What does a patient partner do?

There are a variety of ways you can be involved as a patient partner:

• Storytelling - Hearing about others’ experiences helps us gain new perspectives, improve processes, and collaborate to make the patient experience the best it can be. Patient partners have opportunities to share their stories in large or small groups, over the phone or in writing.
• Advisory councils - Patient advisory council members meet regularly and collaborate with Park Nicollet team members to improve processes and communication, help with facility planning and improve the patient experience.
• Quality improvement events - Throughout the year patient partners participate in events focused on specific improvement initiatives. Patient partners work alongside cross-organizational teams, typically for a short but concentrated period of time.
• Team member training - During orientations, patient partners can share their stories and facilitate discussions to help employees gain new perspectives and enhance the overall patient experience.

Other engagement opportunities include sitting on committees, mentoring new partners and participating in various improvement initiatives. Patient partners have facilitated support groups, helped improve directional signage, provided input on facility designs and helped enhance patient education materials. Patient partners also occasionally help us gather feedback from patients and families while they are receiving care. This is a volunteer-based program; time commitments are flexible based on your desires and availability.

Who can be a patient partner?

We are always looking for patients and family members who want to help us improve care for all people. We welcome patient partners of all ages, backgrounds and experiences who can:

• Share insights and information about their experiences
• See beyond personal experiences
• Show concern for more than one issue
• Listen well
• Respect the perspective of others

How can I become a patient partner?

Joining our patient partner program involves submitting an application and going through a brief interview process, attending orientation and determining what type of initiative you would like to be involved in.

To learn more about becoming a patient partner, call 952-993-7139 or complete the online application form .

For more than 50 years, Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital Service League has supported care to patients, families and the community. The success of many Methodist Hospital programs and projects are due, in part, to support from Service League.

Through funding and service, Service League supports:

• Community education
• Celebration for Life Gala
• Gifts for patients, flowers at Christmas and Mother’s Day, walker bags and cancer caps
• Grants for the department needs, Methodaires, junior volunteers and more
• Hospital tours for schools and community groups
• New Year's baby stockings for our Family Birth Center
• Park Nicollet Foundation's Tree of Lights and Celebration for Life Gala
• Park Nicollet Frauenshuh Cancer Center hospitality area
• Care Integration (emergency assistance for patients and their families)
• The Gift Shoppe in Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital

If you would like to help others and make new friends, we occasionally need help with mailings, knitting and sewing projects and other special projects. Service League membership is open to anyone interested in serving Park Nicollet patients, families and the community. Our annual meeting and luncheon occurs in October and features interesting speakers and opportunities to socialize. Our "Update" newsletter is mailed to members three times a year. For more information, call 952-993-5128.

At Park Nicollet, we believe in giving children the chance to positively impact their community through volunteer opportunities. More than 70 youth, ages 16 to 18, regularly volunteer their time and make a difference in the lives of our patients and community.

• The Gift Shoppe
• Flower delivery
• Aide to nursing staff
• Information desk
  

Applications for our summer volunteer program will only be accepted between April 1st and April 30th.

After we have received your application, you will complete an interview, health assessment and background check. All of these steps must be done before June 1st. If you do not complete these steps before June 1, you will not be able to volunteer in the summer program. To apply, fill out an application .

Qualifications

1. Must be at least 16 years old by April 30th.
2. The summer program runs from June-August. We will work with you to find a schedule that fits your and our patients’ needs. If you will be gone for more than two weeks during the summer, we will not be able to place you, and ask that you please not apply.
3. Your health assessment will take place at Methodist Hospital. Typically, you can expect to complete the interview and health assessment on the same day. Finger printing, as required by the background check, will take place off-site on a different day and time.
4. We are unable to guarantee a volunteer position for every applicant.
5. Please allow one week after the April 30th application deadline to hear from our office about scheduling an interview.