Volunteer Services

What is the process to become a volunteer?

• Complete the application.
• Be accepted to schedule an interview
• Schedule and attend an individual or group interview session
• Pass a background check (adults only)
• Schedule and attend a Volunteer Orientation
• Have ID badge picture taken by Volunteer Services
• Complete TB clearance - provided by LLUH
• Receive a mandatory flu vaccination between October 1st to March 31st each year -provided by LLUH
• Attend program specific training

PLEASE NOTE:

• If you cannot commit to the 100 hour requirement, please visit our Community Volunteer Events for community volunteer opportunities within the Loma Linda University Health community.
• We do not take volunteers receiving academic credit or court-ordered community service.

Can children under the age of 16 volunteer?

Volunteers must meet the volunteer requirements listed above in order to volunteer. Children under the age of 16 may be able to assist at certain events that permit younger children to participate, but they cannot volunteer at our LLUH entities.

What does LLUH look for in volunteers?

LLUH Volunteer Services looks for candidates who believe in our Mission, Vision, and Values. During the interview process we are looking for volunteers that:

• Have the desire to be a part of something larger than yourself.  - Teamwork
• Want to give back to your community and are able to balance your needs with those of our patients and their families. - Wholeness
• Are honest, trustworthy, and reliable. - Integrity
• Show kindness and concern for others. - Compassion
• Have the skills necessary to help us reach our goal of offering the best possible patient care experience. - Excellence

Does LLUH Volunteer Services accept internships or externships?

LLUH Volunteer Services does not place volunteers for internships, externships, observations, or any type of community service that is for school or academic credit or academic work. Internships and externships often require specific placements, projects, and requirements for intern/extern students. Interns and externs must report the hours of service to the school or career program. An internship or externship may require an agreement of terms with the school and LLUH. Any inquiries about internships and externships should go to Ghinette Aguilar at gaguilar@llu.edu.

Does LLUH Volunteer Services accept court-ordered community service?

LLUH Volunteer Services does not accept volunteers needing community service hours for court-ordered service, tickets, or probation. Volunteers must be able to commit to 100 hours of service in a year. They must also pass a background check. Any applicants needing court-ordered community service will be declined.

I am having complications with the application.

We have found that many times our website does not function well with Apple internet browsers such as Firefox and Safari. You will need to use the web browser Internet Explorer to complete the application. If you are unable to get to a computer that will work with the application, we welcome you to visit our office to complete your volunteer application Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please be sure to call at 909-558-8022 ahead of time to ensure our computers are available.

How long is the process before I can volunteer?

The volunteer on-boarding process will typically take 2-weeks to a month. The process can vary on availability of programs as well as the time it will take the volunteer to complete all required paperwork.

When can I sign up for interviews?

Once you complete the online application, you will be contacted by our office via e-mail within 5-business days indicating whether your application was accepted or declined. If your application is accepted, you will be able to sign up for an interview located in your volunteer calendar.

Why do I have to get an influenza immunization?

According to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), receiving an influenza immunization “is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flu and lessen the chance that you will spread it to others.” For additional information about the “flu” shot, visit the CDC at www.cdc.gov or visit our employee health services office.

When can I take orientation? How long is orientation?

Typically, you will be invited to an orientation once you attend an interview and are accepted to be a LLUH Volunteer. Volunteer orientations are 3-hour sessions and include training about LLUH culture, programs, policies and safety. Please allow time to find parking and the orientation location. Volunteers that are late to orientation will be asked to reschedule for the next orientation.

When do I begin training?

Training is the last step before becoming an official LLUH Volunteer. Once all on-boarding requirements are complete, your volunteer coordinator will contact you to work with your schedule and sign you up for a volunteer training date. On the day of your training, you must present yourself in full uniform. Please be aware that the training length of each program will vary.

Where can potential volunteers park their vehicles?

Potential volunteers are authorized to park in the Patient and Visitor parking structure, P3, located on the corner of Barton Road and Campus Street. Once your volunteer process is completed, you will be given additional information on where you can park, and be required to register your vehicle(s) through the Online Parking Management System. If you are volunteering at an offsite location, you will be specifically assigned to designated parking lots by the Department of Parking.

Can I be placed into a Research opportunity through Volunteer Services?

Although our hospital is an academic facility with numerous research studies, Volunteer Services does not place volunteers into research programs. Research volunteers are preselected by the research department.

I am a Research volunteer and I have not completed the volunteer process. Can I have a volunteer badge?   

No. If you are currently volunteering in a research program, but have not completed the volunteer process, please complete the volunteer application immediately. Research volunteers that have not completed the volunteer on-boarding process will not be permitted to conduct research, authorized to meet with patients, collect data, or be on the premises without a volunteer badge and clearance. Please select "Department Approved Programs" on the application. The application will require candidates provide two references; one of the listed references should be the research assistant or department head of the research program.

What is the policy when a volunteer is injured?

• If you become ill or injured, or you are exposed to a hazardous material of any kind while you are here, you must do the following:
• If the injury involves a needle stick, you must immediately wash the site, and then go to the LLUMC Emergency Department (ED) for follow up.  Please be sure to tell the ED staff that you are a volunteer.

In addition, please notify your supervisor and the Volunteer Services office.  The hospital does not assume responsibility for any accidents or injuries while on volunteer duty.  Your personal health insurance is the primary responder in case of an accident or injury. As a volunteer you are not covered under LLUMC’s worker’s compensation program. You can read more by checking out Volunteer Agreement.

Can I take a leave of absence?

Yes. LLUH, Volunteer Services does allow volunteers to take a leave of absence. Please contact a Volunteer Coordinator for details 909-558-8022.

Does volunteering improve my chances for getting a job with LLUH?

Although volunteerism is a great way to get experience, utilize existing skills, network with key players and be in-the-know of the daily business and operations of the hospital; it does not improve or guarantee a volunteer will get a job with Loma Linda University Health. All volunteers, like the general population must apply and qualify for a position with Loma Linda University Health by completing the application located on the LLU Careers website. Volunteers must go through the same interview and selection process as general applicants.

Can a volunteer be terminated?

Yes. A volunteer does not fall under the same termination laws as an employee. A volunteer can be terminated without cause or explanation. A volunteer's profile and file may also be deleted when service is terminated.

What kind of benefits or rewards do the volunteers receive for their service?

• Discounts to various theme parks (available through LLU Student Services)
• 20% discount at the Cafeterias (not valid with meal tickets.)
• 20% discount at the Gift Shops (applies to gift items only.)

Drayson Center:

Become a member right away for only $30/month.

• At 500 hours, volunteer membership is reduced to $25/month.
• At 1,000 hours, volunteers receive a free membership.
• At 5,000 hours, volunteers receive free membership and a free guest pass with each visit.

Volunteers reaching the 100 hour award level will receive a sticker for their volunteer badge and will be eligible to receive a $10 meal ticket after 4 or more hours of service in a day. The meal ticket is valid at any of our Cafeterias. Meal tickets can be obtained from the Volunteer Services office Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., or from the Medical Center Gift Shop during business hours.

How do I get a letter of recommendation?

Volunteer Services does not provide letters of recommendation for volunteers. However, a letter of service hours can be provided. To obtain a letter of service hours for the time dedicated as a volunteer, please contact the office of Volunteer Services at 909-558-8022 or email volunteerservices@llu.edu.

What are the requirements to continue to volunteering throughout the year?

After volunteers have completed the on-boarding process and all training requirements, volunteers must complete the following in order to continue to volunteer each year.

• Have all on-boarding processes completed
• Continue an active status
• Complete the BLUE Book and other online compliance trainings located on the Organization Wide Learning (OWL) website
• Get 1-annual TB clearance each year, (provided by Employee Health Services)
• Get the flu vaccine between October 1st through March 31st each year
• Complete a training competency every 3-years after initial training

What is the BLUE Book?

The BLUE Book is an organization wide online training through the Organization Wide Learning (OWL) system. All employees, students and volunteers must complete the BLUE Book each year. It focuses on the following subjects:

• Corporate Compliance
• Patient Safety
• Workplace Safety
• Health Safety and Infection Control
• Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals
• Emergency Preparedness, Codes & Protocols
• Fire Safety

Anyone taking the BLUE Book must complete it with a score of 80% or higher. To take the BLUE Book, a volunteer must have completed the volunteer on-boarding process, have a volunteer profile or an established LLU/LLUMC email account. Please contact Volunteer Services if you are having trouble accessing or completing the BLUE Book, 909-558-8022.

Where can I go for my TB test and Flu Vaccines?

Volunteers must receive their TB tests from Employee Health Services located at the Faculty Medical Office. Flu vaccines can be received from either Employee Health Services or your own provider. If you receive your vaccine from your own provider, you will need to submit documentation to Volunteer Services. Additional details and information will be provided at the appropriate time during your onboarding process.

What do the different volunteer statuses mean?

After completing the application process volunteers’ profiles will show a status label under their photo on their profile page. If you click on the "Compliance Record" menu item below the status label it will show all the documentation, training and processes completed or needing to be completed to maintain volunteer status.

• A “PENDING” status means that the volunteer is in the on-boarding process. Pending volunteers will need to complete all requirements found on the profile page in order to move to the “ACTIVE” status.
• An “ACTIVE” status means that the volunteer is current on all trainings and documentations and can volunteer in the program they selected.
• An “INACTIVE” status means that the volunteer has not served any hours in more than 3-months or is past due on a compliance requirement such as TB test.