Volunteer orientation at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital lasts a few hours, but learning doesn't stop there. This resource library is intended to provide you continuous education about the hospital, its resources and patient/family care.
Learn at your own pace as you read and watch these materials. Check this page often as we'll be adding new materials as they become available.
Caregiver Informational Videos | Communication | Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity | DNV Accreditation | Dogs on Campus | Empathy Training | How to Use the Volunteer Database System | How to use the SJTV Entertainment System | Patient Safety | Volunteer Appreciation | Volunteer Manual | Workshops and Educational Material
Read the Volunteer Services 5-Year Strategic Plan View Strategic Plan Goals and Highlights
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The dual handset phones you see in patient rooms and throughout the hospital are utilized to access interpreters for non-English speaking families.
Using the dual handset phones (Language Line Solutions®) to access a telephone interpreter
- Pick up the left handset.
- Press the red button.
- Select the language using the phone keypad.
- Provide the patient MRN.
Watch this video to learn how to use the dual handset phone.
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Expressing condolences to someone experiencing sorrow is often difficult and uncomfortable. If done in a thoughtful and heartfelt manner, these often simple acknowledgements can make a lasting and treasured impact on those who are grieving.
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As a volunteer, you are an ambassador of the hospital, and everything it stands for. At St Jude, we value and respect ethnic, cultural, religious, and lifestyle differences, and it is your responsibility to uphold these values in everything you say and do. You should never treat patient families, staff, or visitors differently based on their race, sexual orientation, or gender identity. All who enter the St. Jude campus should be treated with mutual respect.
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St. Jude does not discriminate against patients, families, companions, or visitors based on sexual orientation, gender identity, identification as LGBTQ, or any sex stereotype.
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Many volunteers have expressed that they would like to know more about the Amish families and their culture. St. Jude does not have specific materials about this, however, we found several links online that do a good job of explaining the culture and breaking it down. We hope these websites will help answer your questions.
Links to general information about the Amish culture:
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DNV (Det Norske Veritas), the accrediting body chosen by St. Jude, places patient care as a top priority. To do this, DNV applies a risk-based approach to patient safety that helps hospitals achieve and meet the expectations of our patients and families. While also incorporating a quality management approach, our organization will benefit from improved patient safety and quality of care, continual identification of areas of improvement, ongoing growth of reputation and trust, and improved staff satisfaction. DNV surveys St. Jude to their standards and our policies and processes. They conduct surveys on an annual basis that support a collaborative, educational, and transparent accreditation process.
DNV was originally founded in 1864 as a membership organization in Norway that supported marine insurance clubs to establish set rules and procedures. They are a global leader in quality assurance and risk management supporting Energy, Food, and Healthcare industries. DNV was deemed by CMS as an accreditation program in healthcare in 2008.
As a volunteer, you could be included in the survey. If you encounter a surveyor, just be yourself, answer any questions asked, and remember that you can ask a staff member for help to find the answer. You received a general orientation to the hospital/took a competency quiz on safety and other procedures, you were trained on your unit/area in which you serve, and on all general hospital policies.
There are three different types of dogs a person might encounter at St. Jude. Please read these flyers to better understand the differences. Remember: No matter the dog’s role, if they are at St. Jude, they are serving a purpose, so please do not approach or pet these animals.
VSys One, an online volunteer management software, is used to manage all St. Jude volunteer records. Volunteers are expected to check their record regularly and update as needed. Features of this software include: Access to contact information, add volunteer hours, self-schedule for shift, upload a profile photo, and much more. VSys is very mobile friendly so you can control your records from anywhere at any time.
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Did you know that hand washing is the number one way to prevent the spread of infection? Please watch this informative video about proper hand hygiene and hand washing techniques.
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Have you ever wondered what it means when a Harvey Team is called? A Harvey Team occurs when a patient’s heart has stopped beating or they have stopped breathing. What should you do?
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Volunteers must be properly trained to work in the inpatient unit. This video will teach you what you need to know.
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St. Jude designated a No Hit Zone to promote comfort, safety for all.
St. Jude is joining a growing number of children's hospitals and other facilities across 111 countries and 46 states in becoming an international No Hit Zone partner.
This program is designed to reinforce an environment of comfort and safety for patients, families, staff and visitors. Violence of any kind, including spanking children as a form of discipline, is prohibited on St. Jude property.
"St. Jude has always emphasized the safety of our patients, their families and our staff. Obtaining No Hit Zone designation is an exciting opportunity to reinforce this commitment," said Niki Jurbergs, PhD, Psychology. She is co-organizer of the No Hit Zone initiative at St. Jude, along with Jen Harman, PhD, Psychology, and Valerie Crabtree, PhD, Psychosocial Services chief.
The No Hit Zone policy means that:- No adult shall hit an adult
- No adult shall hit a child
- No child shall hit an adult
- No child shall hit another child
No Hit Zone signage, posters and pamphlets will be placed prominently across the institution.
Caregivers can talk with St. Jude social workers, child life specialists, psychologists and other care team members to learn about positive parenting practices.
Learn more information about No Hit Zones.
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(Purple top containers)
Super Sani-Cloth® Wipes should be used on all toys and surfaces. This product has a 2-minute wet time. Watch the video below for instruction on proper use of the wipe. Note: Your area may still use the blue-top Clorox Wipes. Please refer to the Clorox Wipes information for usage instruction.
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Read The Beryl Institute White Paper to which St. Jude Volunteer Services Staff contributed. The Evolving Role of Healthcare Volunteer Programs: Elevating the Human Experience through Generosity and Connection
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Many people frame their illness experience within a spiritual or religious model. It is how they assign a language to, explore meaning of, and cope with the drastic changes occurring in their life. It is possible, that as a volunteer, a patient or family member may say something of a spiritual or religious nature to you. This video presentation will assist you in knowing how to appropriately respond should you find yourself in that situation.
If you have any questions about this subject or would like to discuss in more detail, please feel free to contact St. Jude Director of Spiritual Care, Mark Brown, at 901-595-3672 or mark.brown@stjude.org.