@anon39736208
How was volunteering at hospice? Did they save work for you to do?
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I did two days this week and it went great! Everyone I met was very welcoming. They kept saying thank you over and over.
I was there for four hours on Monday, but they only saved 1.5 hours of work on Friday, so I didn’t stay longer than that. The office manager said she’d save more for next Wednesday and Friday when I plan to go back. They have an other office volunteer who goes on Tuesdays.
I found another full-time job posting to apply for - accounts payable manager at my mental health community services board. The posting will expire this coming Friday so I still have time to wait for that one. I would love to work there!
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Found another paid job to apply for - Billing Specialist at the parent company of the hospice where I volunteer. Fingers crossed! They wanted at least two years of accounts receivable experience including collections, and I have four years, but it’s not medical billing related. If they’re willing to train me on submitting claims, I am willing to be loyal and stay there.
By the way, the work I did yesterday was just sorting patient records according to the assisted living communities where they live, so the case managers can take the records there. The office manager said it takes her about four hours to do, because she sits at the front desk with constant interruptions. I had the luxury of sitting in someone’s office so I could spread out and make it easier. I made a commitment to come every other Friday (after their big interdisciplinary meetings) to do that job for her. I love to sort things, so I enjoyed it!
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Hire the handicapped. When a handicapped person finds a job they can do, they’re apt to be loyal.
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My sentiments exactly! I am only applying for jobs where I think I could stay long-term. I will work at the same job until retirement if I find the right spot. I’m only 48 so I have a long way to go!
Since I am having to explain my 4 1/2 year gap in employment while I’ve been on disability, I say I had an illness that is now in remission. I will self-identify as having a disability if asked, but won’t go into specifics. Sometimes it helps you get a job though, if someone is trying to prove they have a diverse employee pool, they don’t mind hiring someone with a disability. I don’t need special accommodations, so I don’t see where someone would be loath to hire me just because of my disability.
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Sooo glad you enjoyed it!! Sounds like a great place to volunteer! And REALLY cool about the job opportunities!!
Thanks @FlyingPurplePeopleMeeter! It really is a nice office and a nice place to volunteer. No cubicles to be found, each person has their own office. It’s bright and open. I work at a desk in the Volunteer Coordinator’s office, but I answer to the Office Manager. She’s putting the word out to people like the Social Workers, RN’s, and the Bereavement Coordinator that there is a willing volunteer. I anticipated going eight to ten hours a week, but they didn’t have enough work this week. There’s plenty of time for projects if they can come up with them.
The billing job I mentioned is for the big hospice agency that owns the hospice where I volunteer. The head office does all the administrative work for the hospices they own, so the local hospices can concentrate on patient care. They have hospices in eight states, including Virginia where I live. I would love to work for the parent company. I tried applying for a payroll specialist job there but I didn’t have ADP experience so they said no. The billing job is my second attempt to work there. I told them in my cover letter that I’m volunteering two days a week downstairs, so I’m already around if I get selected to interview. Really hoping I get a chance at it.
I got a status update on my application for an accounts payable rep for a university medical center. They said I wasn’t chosen to interview. That didn’t break my heart. That university is where my last job was, nearly two years there, and I’ve been snubbed by them now that I’m trying to go back to work. I would rather not go back to the university, but they’re such a big employer, I can’t eliminate them from contention, I don’t have that luxury.
I have three resumes out there now - the Administrative Assistant for my city’s Fire Department, the billing job with the hospice parent company, and the Accounts Payable job with my mental health community services board. I’m starting to find more things to apply for, which is a relief! I have good feelings about all these jobs, just hope I get to compete for them!
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I hope, too, that you get an interview! It makes SUCH a difference to meet with someone face-to-face! All of these jobs are WAY rad, so hopefully you get calls back soon!
@FlyingPurplePeopleMeeter Thank you! I had one interview for an accounting clerk job, but it was way too entry-level. They misrepresented what the position was in the ad. When I asked questions in the interview, it was clear that it wasn’t going to be a good match. I don’t regret removing my name from that competition, but I will be happy to find full-time work, even if it will mean I have to give up my volunteering. I plan to give them two weeks notice like I would for a paid employer.
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It’s smart to find something that best fits your abilities, interests, and skills. I think it’s great to give two weeks notice to your volunteer. It shows that you care and take it seriously!
@anon39736208 Do you work from computers or is it printed out stuff? Because I was thinking I could get interested in something like book keeping but I’m way behind in computer skills.
@PinCushion They don’t have a spare computer at the hospice, so I do only things that don’t require one. Most of what I did last week was sorting patient medical records. They gave me a big stack and a patient census, I sorted the records. They gave me new patient charts, I put the pages in the right order. Easy peasy, anyone can learn how to do it!
If you have a Goodwill near you, check into their work program. They have a program separate from the charity shops where they train people to re-enter the work force. When I interviewed for that job I turned down, the receptionist told me she was there twice a week from a Goodwill placement. I think you could tell them you’re only interested in volunteer work. Goodwill works with a lot of outside agencies who request staff from them.
I encourage you to try it if you think you’d be interested! Getting out of the house has been really beneficial for me.
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