Central Maine Healthcare offers many specialized volunteer options. Learn about the available opportunities and contact us today.
Pet Therapy
This program provides patients the opportunity to express themselves by relating to animals. For many patients, it improves their sense of well-being. Pet Therapy volunteers must be the regular handler of the dog. The volunteer must be responsible, cheerful, well-groomed and possess good communication skills. They must be able to follow visiting policies and honor confidentiality. If a patient requests a canine visit, the dog is taken into the room, where they can be petted or cuddled. For many patients who have pets at home, it is a great comfort. And for those who may have never experienced the unconditional affection of a happy dog, it is a new and joyful experience!
Pet Therapy Dogs must be registered with Therapy Dogs International and maintained according to the standards of the organization. The volunteer must provide proof of an annual dog license, shot record and National Membership Card. Therapy Dogs even wear a photo identification badge while they are on their volunteer duty.
For more information about how to have your dog certified to become a Therapy Dog at CMMC, please contact Dave Foster at: 207-415-7501 or email fosdaddy1@gmail.com.
Patient Representative Program
This program features volunteers who visit newly admitted patients. The volunteer seeks to openly discuss the quality of care the patient is receiving. If there is a concern, the volunteer reports it to the patient’s nurse and the guest relations coordinator. Volunteers also provide the coordinator with a daily report to ensure appropriate follow up. Patient Representatives act as a friendly visitor to patients and are trained in listening skills, confidentiality and reporting. Many improvements have been made at our facilities as a result of patient representative reports. Patient representatives must be cheerful, possess a positive attitude, be good listeners, and be willing to follow instructions.
Junior Volunteer Program
This Junior Volunteer Program is designed specifically for teenagers who are 14 to 17 years old who can volunteer a minimum of 4 hours per week. These volunteers have a desire to assist members of their community in a medical environment or want to learn more about medical careers. Junior volunteers are offered placement year-round or for the summer months only.
The Junior Volunteer Program is for mature teens who are responsible, independent and enthusiastic. Program space is limited as volunteer duties are based on need.
Central Maine Healthcare Project Team
This is an on-call program where volunteers are called in to complete necessary projects that may be on a recurring, urgent or timely schedule. Volunteers may be asked to collate projects, direct patients and families, assist with special events, or many other opportunities. This is an ever-changing fun volunteer duty that will assist CMH team members in being successful. Basic clerical skills are necessary with the ability to follow directions, have a good sense of humor and enjoy assisting a variety of team members
Caring Stitchers
We invite knitters to make handmade blankets, lap robes, sweaters, etc. for patients within our facilities.
You can be a current volunteer within our program, or someone who knits at home for benefit of our patients. Please note that Caring Stitchers who knit at home do not have to go through our volunteer application process, but we will want to have your contact information on file so we can communicate with you regarding specific needs that match your talents!
This is a special group of giving individuals that come together to give our patients a special gift to take home with them after their stay with us. Many of these patients report that these handmade items become a part of their everyday life and/or family treasures.
CMHC tracks the items made by our Caring Stitcher program so that we can properly thank our knitters and show the number of patients served by this program. We distribute these items to all our facilities when made available.
You can join the Caring Stitchers or obtain information about this program by calling the volunteer office. If you have a talent, please consider sharing it with us!
Tender Care
Sometimes our patients need a volunteer to sit with them before a procedure or to have someone to simply visit them. Not all patients have family members close by, so member of our Tender Care program are called in to visit patients in need of a short-term companion; someone to simply talk to or play a game.
This program is currently being organized, so if you are interested in being a part of this, let us know or check back in at a later time about this opportunity.
Mended Hearts
Mended Hearts is a national and community-based non-profit organization that works in partnership with Central Maine Healthcare to offer the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families and caregivers. The Mended Hearts program and their volunteers provide a variety of programs locally.
If you are a prior heart patient and want to become a Mended Hearts volunteer, you must join the local Mended Hearts Chapter and follow their guidelines and training. Mended Hearts volunteers are still considered a CMHC volunteer and will need to go through the volunteer application process.
For inquiries about becoming a Mended Hearts volunteer, you can reach out to the Central Maine Healthcare Volunteer office as listed below or call the local chapter directly utilizing the following information:
Ron Turcotte
Mended Hearts President
CMMC Local Chapter
Tel: 207-346-0691
Email: deaf2hear3@aol.com
