Visit-A-Bit Telephone Volunteer

Visit‑A‑Bit (VAB) Telephone Volunteer

Reports To: Visit‑A‑Bit Volunteer Coordinator

Time Commitment: 1–2 hours per week

Length of Commitment: 12 months

Environment: Volunteering is conducted remotely via telephone.

Summary of Position: The VAB Telephone Volunteer provides companionship and emotional support to an assigned older adult participant through weekly scheduled phone calls. Volunteers engage participants through conversation, active listening, and encouragement to help reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• • Call assigned participant a minimum of once per week
  • Provide friendly companionship and supportive conversation
  • Communicate questions or concerns to the Volunteer Coordinator
  • Complete required online contact form
  • Follow program guidelines and maintain appropriate boundaries
  • Interact in a respectful, patient, kind, and non‑judgmental manner

Qualifications:

• • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Demonstrates empathy, patience, reliability, and clear communication skills
  • Access to a landline or cell phone
  • No prior volunteer experience required

Training & Supervision: All Telephone Volunteers complete required training prior to placement. Training includes a virtual orientation via Zoom, program expectations, communication skills, volunteer boundaries, HIPAA & HITECH confidentiality training, OSHA health and safety education, and documentation procedures.

Volunteers are supervised by the Visit‑A‑Bit Volunteer Coordinator, who provides ongoing support, guidance, and periodic check‑ins throughout the volunteer experience.

Volunteer Benefits & Support:

• • Flexible scheduling to accommodate availability
  • Conversation topic ideas and visit guidance at onboarding
  • Mindfulness tips and emotional well‑being resources
  • Weekly conversational well‑being topics shared by the Volunteer Coordinator
  • Invitations to attend two annual Visit‑A‑Bit socialization events, which include lunch
  • The personal and emotional reward of making a meaningful difference in an older adult’s life

Application & Screening Requirements: All prospective volunteers must complete a Volunteer Application and required screening prior to placement. This includes completion of a Missouri Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) background check. The cost of the FCSR registration is covered by VNA/SSM Health.

Contact:

Michele Prevedel, Visit‑A‑Bit Volunteer Coordinator 314‑918‑7171 (Option 2) michele.prevedel@ssmhealth.com

https://www.ssmhealth.com/volunteer/visit-a-bit-program