Volunteer: Difference between revisions

== Basis of Policy ==  

This policy is designed to enable the University to accept volunteers while reducing risk and protecting the interests of the University, its volunteers and the community it serves. It also provided a means to track volunteers for Risk Management purposes.<br />  

'''Job shadowing''' is a program that provides current or prospective students a chance to observe health-care or research employees in a workplace setting. Job shadowing participants are not considered volunteers. It is designed to be a one-time observation only experience, lasting two to four hours. The job shadowing experience does not fulfill any clinical or internship requirements; nor does it provide any hands- on experience. Those who will be job shadowing must be processed through the job shadowing program administered by The Nebraska Medical Center. More information on the job shadowing program can be found at:  http://www.nebraskamed.com/careers/job-shadowing/program and information on the UNMC [[Job Shadowing Procedure]] can be found at: http://www.unmc.edu/policy/index.cfm?CONREF=102.

'''Volunteers''' are uncompensated individuals. Volunteers perform services related to the ongoing business of the University for their own benefit which may be to gain experience in specific endeavors or fulfill humanitarian, charitable or public service requirements. To qualify as a University volunteer, an individual must satisfy the requirements and be willing to provide service according to the procedures in this policy. An individual who provides services to an entity other than the University that may be related to the University, such as the Alumni Association, will not be considered a University volunteer.  

University volunteers are expected to abide by the University policies and procedures and external regulations that govern their actions, including but not limited to those relating to ethical behavior, safety, confidentiality, protected health information, computer use, financial responsibility, and drug use. Criminal background checks are required for all volunteer positions requiring a Volunteer Application Form. Departments wishing to engage volunteers must be responsible for all costs associated with these items:

* recruiting and screening (background checks)

The Munroe-Meyer Institutes Recreational Therapy Program volunteers must meet the requirements of that program and are exempt from the requirements of this policy. The Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP), UNMC High School Alliance Program, UNMC Community Academy, UNMC Youth Learning Center Programs, UNMC Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) and the programs and courses offered through the UNMC Center for Continuing Education are all exempt from the requirements of this policy. This exception covers activities that are part of the program/course requirements. Volunteer activities outside of the program requirements are not exempt from the policy.  

=== COD “UNMC COD Children’s Dental Day” and the “UNMC COD Sharing Clinic” ===  

* Check the Medical Exclusion List http://exclusions.oig.hhs.gov/   (if reimbursement is going to be sought for any of the care provided)  

* A current employee may not become a University volunteer at the University in any capacity in which he or she is employed at the University, or which is essentially similar to or related to the individual’s regular work at the University. A current employee may only volunteer for special events, such as United Way events, Commencement, and the like. It is important to determine that a person is performing services of a volunteer and will not be considered an employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act. A determination by the Department of Labor that a person’s service was that of an employee’s will result in the time of service being compensable.

The types of one-time activities that do not involve access to confidential information or potentially hazardous areas, are generally considered low-risk, and do not require a completed Volunteer Application. It includes but is not limited to the following:  

Individuals with volunteer faculty appointments, such as physicians and dentists who supervise UNMC residents and students in outlying clinics, are not required to complete a University of Nebraska Medical Center Volunteer Application Form.   These individuals receive a volunteer faculty appointment through the respective UNMC College.     These individuals are not subject to background checks and generally do not need to complete UNMC compliance requirements, as they must complete similar requirements within the health care organization where they work. The process to become volunteer faculty at UNMC can be found here:  [[http://www.unmc.edu/academicservices/volunteer_faculty.htm]].  

Visiting scientist and students who will be participating in laboratory activities using biohazardous agents do not need a volunteer application form but must comply with Institutional Biosafety Committee Biosafety Policies and Procedures SOP#UNMC-IBC036 - Visiting Scientist and Student for Access to Participate in Laboratory Activities Using Biohazardous Agents. The prohibited activities list does not apply to visiting scientists but the principal investigator is responsible for making sure they are familiar with the hazards and utilize the appropriate safety protocol and personal protective equipment.   

University volunteers cannot replace employee positions or impair the employment of a University position. Volunteers’ services are generally limited to humanitarian, charitable or public services.

* Working with animals or in areas where animals are present        

Please be aware that background checks usually take to up to 7 days but depending on the complexity it may take up to 8 weeks to complete the process. The volunteer may not start until the process is completed so plan accordingly.  

When selecting and engaging a volunteer it is the department or unit’s responsibility to be certain the individual has adequate experience, qualifications, and training for the task he or she will be required to perform. The department must assign someone to directly supervise the volunteer. A volunteer cannot be supervised by a family member. A family member means an individual who is the spouse, child, parent, foster parent, guardian, brother, sister, grandchild, or grandparent, by blood, marriage, or adoption, of a University official or employee. The following procedures are required to engage a volunteer or a guest:

# Departments or Units wishing to engage a volunteer must complete a description of the duties and services to be performed by a volunteer or description of education and professional experience to be provided for the guest. It must list who will provide supervision, level of supervision, etc.    

# Applicants over the age of nineteen must complete the University Of Nebraska Medical Center   Volunteer Application Form prior to beginning their service. Individuals under the age of nineteen must have their parents complete the Application Form prior to beginning their service.  

# A criminal background check and appropriate training must be completed for all prior to their beginning service at the University. (See Volunteer – Guests Background Check Instructions)  

# Send the volunteer to obtain the appropriate campus identification (ID) badge after the individual and service are approved and the background check is completed. Approval consists of a volunteer position/application that has been approved by the department chair or department administrator and a clear background check.  

# Must have and provide proof of immunizations as required by other positions in the area in which the volunteer will be located (flu, Hepatitis B, tetanus, any immunizations specific to the lab). Questions regarding immunization requirements should be directed to Risk Management.