Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering can open the door to new friends, skills and the appreciation for those things which you take for granted. According to one of our current Aspirus Volunteers, "There's no better feeling than knowing you helped someone."

Click on each opportunity below for more information, or Apply Now for any of the opportunities listed below.

Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services

Bereavement Support

Provide support to family members in the first year after a patient’s death. Volunteers make regular phone or mail contact with family members following the death of a loved one from the comfort of their home. Volunteers work with the Bereavement Coordinator who provides direction, guidance, and support for the volunteers.

Festival of Trees (Teen Eligible)

Festival of Trees is held each year during the week of Thanksgiving. Treats, door prizes and holiday decorations will help you get into the Festival of Trees spirit to benefit Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. Volunteer opportunities include: greeting guests, serving beverages, decorating trees, and much more. For more information, click here or contact the Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services Volunteer Coordinator at 715-847-2705.

Hospice House (Teen Eligible)

Volunteers help staff members at Hospice House by visiting with patients, making meals, gardening, cleaning, stocking cabinets, etc. More duties are assigned as needed.

Palliative Care Unit (Teen Eligible)

Assist staff on the Palliative Care Unit at Aspirus Wausau Hospital by visiting with patients when family cannot be present. Other duties include stocking shelves, sprucing up waiting areas, answering phones, making craft items for patient rooms, and other tasks as needed.

Patient/Family Support (Home Care)

Volunteers provide emotional support to patients and their families. Volunteers can visit with patients in their homes or in community residences providing caregivers a short respite from daily living responsibilities and a comforting presence.

Program Support (Teen Eligible)

Program support volunteers assist with office duties and special projects. Volunteers can help with mailings, filing, gardening, yard work, annual events and more.

Aspirus Wausau Hospital and Other

Click on each opportunity below for more information.

Bingo (Teens Eligible)

Every Tuesday, Bingo is provided to those patients who choose to play by tuning into our Bingo TV Station. Volunteers distribute game cards and call the game.

Comfort Cart

Volunteers provide patients comfort items at bedside to enhance their hospital stay. A variety of products are provided - at no charge to patients (pens, playing cards, newspapers, magazines, Sudoko, etc.).

EZ Rider

Give hospital visitors a lift on the EZ Rider transport cart. Easy to operate, no prior experience is necessary. The EZ rider operates weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Gift Shop (Teens Eligible)

The Aspirus Gift Shop offers volunteers a rewarding role in a relaxing and friendly environment. Volunteers do not need prior retail experience. Opportunities include cashiers and display volunteers.

HANDS

The HANDS program is part of the Health AND School curriculum for third grade students. This program is also provided to pre-school children. Students are taught the importance and methods of proper hand washing by volunteers who are specially trained. Programs are taught to third graders in October and November, and in area pre-schools in January and February.

Joint Camp

Volunteers assist staff with luncheons, group exercise and reunion meals for patients that have undergone a joint replacement at Aspirus.

Knitting (Teens Eligible)

For more than three decades, the Aspirus Volunteers have been supplying newborns with knit caps and booties. Knitters handcraft hundreds of caps each year for babies born at Aspirus New Beginnings Birthing Center. Volunteers also handcraft prayer shawls for patients and families at Aspirus. The prayer shawl ministry supports the belief in the power of healing through prayer along with the clinical aspects of health care. Patterns for baby items and prayer shawls can be obtained by contacting the volunteer office at 715-847-2848.

Inpatient Units (Teens Eligible)

Help with various duties for inpatient nursing areas in the hospital, as well as shadowing with registered nurses and nursing assistants.

Lifeline Installer

By appointment, volunteers install Lifeline units in the homes of elderly and disabled people throughout Marathon County. Units are easily installed and training is provided.

Lifeline Test Caller (Teens Eligible)

Volunteers are needed to conduct test calls to subscribers once or twice per week in the hospital communications department. Basic computer knowledge is required.

NUF Clowns (Teens Eligible)

Volunteers visit patients in various hospital departments dressed as clowns.

Pastoral Care Representatives

Referred to as PACARS, Eucharistic Ministers distribute the Eucharist to patients at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Both men and women are invited to share an hour or more each month in this rewarding ministry.

Patient Registration (Teens Eligible)

Volunteers at Patient Registration greet patients and family as they are admitted to the hospital. Volunteers at this desk sort and deliver mail, deliver flower arrangements and may be asked to escort patients and/or visitors to rooms or other departments.

Pet Therapy (Teens Eligible)

Handlers and dogs visit patients at Aspirus Wausau Hospital and Hospice House. Handlers and dogs have been previously certified.

Pharmacy (Teens Eligible)

Tasks may involve labeling medications, filing, shadowing technicians, or clerical duties.

Rainbow’s End (Teens Eligible)

Volunteers serve as counselors for special needs children attending this day camp in July. Volunteers are paired one-on-one with campers for the duration of the camp to help them achieve the ultimate camp experience. Volunteer applications for Rainbow's End will only be accepted from April 1 to June 1.

Research and Development (R&D)

The R&D committee meets monthly as needed to review funding requests.

Sewing (Teens Eligible)

Volunteers sew teddy bears and walker bags for patients here at Aspirus. Teddy bears are personalized with embroidered faces and little touches like ribbon and lace and are handed out to children who visit Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Patterns for both the teddy bears and walker bags can be obtained by contacting the volunteer office at 847-2848.

Starbucks (Teens Eligible)

Become a Barista by volunteering at Café Voluntario, the Starbucks coffee kiosk located in the main lobby of Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Learn how to make all those tasty Starbucks coffee creations while at the same time enjoy meeting many of the staff, physicians, families and visitors who come to the hospital. Shifts are available between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. weekdays.

Sibling Class (Ages 14-22)

Help the instructor with set-up, greet families, assist with children's activities and clean-up.

Volunteer Board

The volunteer board meets monthly to discuss volunteer policies, job descriptions, fundraising events, scholarships and education ideas. Board positions include: President, Vice President, Membership, Secretary, Health Education, Public Policy Education, and Fundraising Events chairs.

Waiting Rooms (Teens Eligible)

Volunteers staff desks in MSICU, Day Surgery, and Heart and Vascular Institute waiting rooms. These volunteers keep family informed of patients’ status while answering general questions about Aspirus Wausau Hospital and the surrounding community.