Volunteers are a Critical Part of the Greater Avista Team

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands – one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” - Audrey Hepburn

It does not matter which department you ask at Advent Health Avista (formerly Avista Adventist Hospital), the staff will tell you that their volunteers are an integral part of the team and that most departments depend on dedicated and hard working volunteers to operate at the utmost efficiency.

Volunteering is an amazing way to help others while filling yourself with a sense of community. Volunteering increases social skills, improves self-esteem and provides an opportunity to learn new valuable skills. Avista has a long history of volunteer programs and appreciates having a group of people who are there to help others with whatever is needed. From nutrition services, checking in patients, to refilling supplies in the emergency rooms, there is a volunteer job for just about everyone.

People of all ages, from 16 to retirees, are welcome to join the amazing volunteer team. Volunteering at Avista is a great way for high schoolers looking to fill service hours for college resumes or their National Honor Society requirements to help in the community and meet those goals. For college kids who are thinking about going into medical school, this is a way to see the ins and outs of daily hospital life. Retirees who find themselves wanting to help others will also find a rewarding experience and an opportunity to extend their invaluable lifetime of knowledge to others.

Opportunities for volunteers at Avista are varied and can be tailored to your talents and interests with endless options from working the front desk and gift shop to helping in the New Life Birthing Center. The emergency room and surgical centers have volunteers to help with restocking rooms so everyone has the equipment needed to help the next patient. Nutrition services has volunteers taking orders and helping deliver food to patients. There are volunteer ministers who are available to patients and their families for prayer or to deliver the Eucharist.

One of the most unique volunteer teams is Avista Animal Helpers. There are more than 20 teams of therapy dogs and handlers who have been delivering smiles and love to patients since 2009. Hamilton, Jessie, and Charlie are just some of the furry co-workers who always have wagging tails and an endless supply of love to give to patients and staff alike.

At Avista, we make sure every single one of our volunteers knows that they are truly valued and loved. They are a part of each team they work with and it’s this commitment to our volunteers that leads to long lasting relationships. One Avista high school volunteer went to college and came back after graduation to work here at Avista in a clinical position as a nurse.

Real happiness can be found in the service of others and nowhere are there more opportunities to serve than in health care. If you are looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity to help in your community, please contact us at 303-673-1189 or email sherrifrazier@centura.org