Absences or Lateness
You are expected to work your assigned schedule on a consistent basis. Any planned absences (i.e. vacation, appointments) should be voiced with as much advanced notice as possible to ensure coverage can be identified.

Attitude
We expect excellent customer service skill; courteous, pleasant, helpful and tactful. Leave your personal problems or issues at the hospital doors. Remember that emergencies, anxiety, urgency and change are always present at a hospital. Try to remain composed as these things do occur from time to time. The role of the volunteer is to help alleviate these issues not add to them.

Breaks and Lunch Hour
Volunteers are entitled to breaks based on the number of hours worked. Lunch breaks are offered to those working greater than 4 hours a day. Breaks can be coordinated with other volunteers in your area to ensure coverage.

Confidentiality
Volunteers have the same legal responsibility for the protecting privacy as the staff of the Clinical Center. The patient is the key to our research efforts at the NIH Clinical Center and should be treated with courtesy and respect. Preserve the trust placed in you. Remember anything that you hear and see in the Clinical Center is to remain confidential. There is no tolerance for breaching patient confidentiality.

Employment at the End of the Volunteer Services
A volunteer assignment is not given on the basis of future employment with the Clinical Center. The Volunteer Program can not promise that employment is the end result. However, the director of the Volunteer Program can provide a letter of service or recommendation for a job well done. Job openings can be found at www.usajobs.gov.

Good Judgment
If you are uncertain or doubtful about a situation, seek advice from your supervisor or the Volunteer Services Program before taking action. Do not make promises or commitments that you can not keep or that you find questionable. It would be better to say you do not know than to pretend you do. Refer all special concerns and requests from patients to the appropriate hospital personnel. Volunteers are expected to support paid staff, not necessarily to perform their duties.

Grooming/Uniforms
Proper grooming and appearance distinguishes the volunteer corp. All uniforms and shoes should be clean and neatly pressed at all times. Wear comfortable, close toed shoes.

Illness and Injury
Hospital volunteers are considered employees of the Federal Government for purposes of medical service benefits for work related injuries or disease. In case of injury sustained by a volunteer while in the performance of duty, the procedures applicable to regular government employees will be followed.

Parking
Parking is available to volunteers during your scheduled volunteer time. Volunteers must display a special Clinical Center volunteer parking permit issued to the license number of the car. Cars not displaying this permit, parking in un-authorized areas, or occupying more than one space, may receive a parking violation ticket. The hospital can do nothing about a ticket once it is issued. Most parking restrictions apply only during weekdays so volunteers serving on evenings and weekends may park in general parking areas. Weekend parking is not allowed in spaces designed “consultant”, “Government Vehicles only” or “24 hour on-call”.

Record Keeping
Notify the Volunteer Program if you have there are any changes of address, telephone number, email address or emergency contact information.

Signing
You must sign in when reporting for duty and sign out when leaving the hospital (actual time, not scheduled time). This is in compliance with the HHS requirements that a record of actual service performed by each volunteer shall be maintained. This also enables the Clinical Center Volunteer Services Program to know at all times who is in the building, to ensure that your assignment is covered and to locate you in an emergency. This record provides evidence of your volunteer service should you request a letter of recommendation or need service learning hours.

Supervision
Volunteers will be accepted for a specific assignment and will report to the supervisor, who shall have immediate responsibility for the supervision and control of volunteers assigned to him/her. Follow your volunteer assignment carefully and learn the scope and limits of your duties. Know your supervisor; accept instruction and guidance graciously and whole heartedly. Do not take the initiative in performing unauthorized services for patients without the clearance of your supervisor.

Termination
Volunteer service arrangement may be terminated at any time by the volunteer, the volunteer organization or the Clinical Center Director of the Volunteer Services Program for inappropriate or illegal behavior.

Valuables
Leave all valuables or large amounts of money at home or keep them with you if you must bring them to the hospital. The hospital can not be responsible for the losses of personal property. We have lockers available in room 2-5561 for you to use while on duty. Please make sure to bring your own lock. No overnight use.

Volunteer Agreement
A job description will be provided for each volunteer assignment outlining the scope of the services to be performed by volunteers accepting the assignment.