OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DEPARTMENT
VOLUNTEER WORK

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The purpose of volunteer work is to expand your knowledge of occupational therapy across practice areas and to broaden your understanding of the needs of clients in various treatment settings and across age groups. A minimum of 60 volunteer hours is required in order to be eligible to apply to the professional program. Of those, a minimum of 15 hours in psychosocial dysfunction, 15 hours in physical disabilities and 15 hours in pediatrics with an OTR or COTA is required. Your other 15 hours can be any related area. Remember, volunteerism is a commitment and a privilege, not a right. You need to ask permission to do volunteer work, not demand to do it.

The Occupational Therapy faculty believe that through volunteer work, a student has the opportunity to:

• Observe persons of all ages at work and play.
• Establish interpersonal relationships.
• Develop leadership skills in working with groups.
• Become aware of the problems encountered by persons with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities.
• Learn more about themselves as individuals-do they enjoy working with the disabled, do they have the patience required for long-term care, and often times the slow progress of severely disabled?
• Develop initiative in seeking out volunteer work.
• Demonstrate responsibility in their volunteer work-being punctual, carrying out duties assigned, etc.
• Gain knowledge and experience which will make academic courses more meaningful, and Level I and II Fieldwork less threatening. In Level I and II Fieldwork, the Occupational Therapy student is in the process of making the transition from student to professional with the responsibilities inherent in a profession in the health fields. Attitude and performance in assigned Occupational Therapy duties are constantly evaluated, and volunteer work can be invaluable in preparing for this phase of their education as occupational therapists.

Adopted: August 1980
Revised: 1982, 1987, 1993, 2002, 2003

The following is information for your consideration when planning your process of volunteering for the Occupational Therapy admissions requirements.

Step I: Selection and Prioritizing of the Volunteer Sites

Choose three sites to contact from each practice area identified on the Volunteer Work Opportunities sheet. Prioritize your choices so that you make your contacts from your first choice to the third choice. Choose among the following practice areas:

1. Adult Physical Disabilities
2. Adult Psychiatry
3. Pediatrics and School Age Children
4. Geriatrics (Age 60 and older)
5. Adult Developmental Disabilities

Students doing volunteer work outside of the Grand Forks area should check with your advisor to verify that the experience will fulfill admissions requirements.

Step II: Planning the Initial Contact

1. 1. Call the facility/contact person at least 20 working days before the time you wish to begin.
2. Information you should have prepared prior to this call includes the following:
   • Days/dates available and time of day - be realistic, time commitments should be honored
   • Purpose of what type of experience: pediatrics, psychosocial, physical disabilities... (write it out - practice saying it out loud)
   • Questions you may have:
     • Will there be an orientation
     • Are there guidelines/expectations
     • Is there a dress code
     • Are immunizations required
     • What is the projected amount of time I will be with an OTR or COTA
     • Do I need a vehicle to travel from site to site (e.g., one school to another school)

   It is recommended that you write these out on a sheet of paper so that your explanation is clear and concise; this may boister your confidence with your request.

Step III: Making the Initial Contact

1. General Guidelines
   • Speak clearly and don't rush!
   • Call early in the morning or later in the afternoon when staff generally have office hours
   • If you must leave a message, leave your full name, telephone number, the purpose of the call and the best time to return your call. Remember, your personal answering machine message should be professional.
2. What to Say and How to Say It
   • Introduce yourself: Name, affiliation (UND student in Pre-Occupational Therapy)
   • Choose one of the following statements to identify the purpose of your call.
     
     Complete the sentences with information that specifically applies to your request.
     • "I would like to complete volunteer hours at your program in the area of ____________ as part of the requirement for ............ Would this be acceptable to you?"
     • "I have learned about your facility through ........ and I would like to volunteer ........... Would this be acceptable to you?"
3. If the answer is "yes" (approval to volunteer):
   • Provide information outlined in Step II, number 2
   • Thank the individual for allowing this opportunity
   • Follow up with a letter outlining or re-confirming your schedule (make sure you obtain
     the individual's name, including correct spelling, title, and address at the end of your conservation
4. If the answer is "no" (denial to volunteer):
   • Thank the individual for taking the time to talk with you
   • Inquire about a waiting list & opportunities in the future
   • Repeat your name and provide your phone number for the facility to reach you, should an opportunity for volunteer work arise

When you Volunteer: Guidelines & Principles

• Be punctual, if you MUST be absent, call as early as possible to be excused
• Adhere to dress code and other employee volunteer policies and procedures
• Remember that you are a representative of the University of North Dakota
• Consider volunteerism a commitment and privilege
• Respect CONFIDENTIALITY and follow the same ethical standards expected of all staff members
• Have a clear understanding of what your roles and duties are, if you are unsure, ASK!!!