Opportunities
Opportunities
At MercyOne Des Moines and West Des Moines Medical Centers, we offer diverse volunteer opportunities that match your interests and skills. Whether you’re drawn to patient support – providing comfort, and companionship to patients and families during their healthcare journey – or prefer administrative support helping with clerical tasks, filing and other duties that keep our facility running smoothly, there’s a place for you! We also have specialized programs like Extraordinary Ministries, Pet Therapy and Student Volunteering where you can make a unique impact based on your talents and interests.
Specialized Opportunities
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) *
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring the sacrament of Holy Communion to Catholic patients who are unable to attend Mass due to illness or medical treatment.
- Sacramental Ministry
- Distribute Holy Communion to Catholic patients
- Offer prayers and brief spiritual comfort appropriate to each patient's condition and needs
- Maintain reverent handling and proper storage of the Blessed Sacrament according to Church guidelines
- Approach patients with compassion, dignity and respect for their medical condition
- Provide a calming, prayerful presence during visits
- Listen actively to patients' spiritual concerns when appropriate
- Respect patient privacy and maintain strict confidentiality
- Collaborate respectfully with medical staff and other health care professionals
- Requirements:
- Active, practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church
- Mature faith and emotional stability
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to maintain composure in challenging medical situations
- Respectful, non-judgmental attitude toward patients of all backgrounds
- Flexibility and adaptability in various hospital environments
- Able to clear required Criminal Background and registered Offender check and required health screening.
* This ministry requires individuals who can balance deep faith commitment with practical hospital protocols, bringing Christ's healing presence to those most in need of spiritual comfort during times of physical suffering.
Certified Animal Assisted Therapy (CAAT)*
Therapy Dogs & Special Animals*
Connecting compassionate individuals and their certified therapy animals with people in need of emotional support, healing and companionship.
- Handler Requirements:
- Meet all standard MercyOne volunteer requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Nationally recognized therapy animal certification
- Able to clear required criminal background and registered offender check and required health screening.
- Able to meet the specific skills and knowledge requirements for volunteer opportunities
- Animal Requirements:
- At least one year old
- Current vaccinations per local regulations
- Clean, well-groomed and healthy
- Leashed and under full handler control
* Therapy animals are primarily dogs, though other domesticated animals may be approved by the volunteer services supervisor in special circumstances.
CAAT Application View CAAT Policy
Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program – Senior Medicare Patrol
SHIIP-SMP
Providing Medicare counseling and resources to Iowans that are needed to make informed Medicare decisions and prevent fraud. This program is supported by the State of Iowa
- Program Details:
- Training and resources are provided by Iowa SHIIP-SPM for counseling and community education
- Assist eligible Medicare beneficiaries with health care insurance decisions
- Prevent health care fraud and abuse
- Provide unbiased Medicare counseling
- Able to clear required criminal background and registered offender check and required health screening.
- Able to meet the specific skills and knowledge requirements for volunteer opportunities
- Requirements:
- Complete specialized SHIIP-SMP Training
- Strong communication skills
- Commitment to helping seniors
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Able to clear required criminal background and registered offender check and required health screening.
- Able to meet the specific skills and knowledge requirements for volunteer opportunities
SHIIP-SMP Application Learn More
Other Opportunities
Didn’t find the opportunity you’re looking for, please consider:
- MercyOne Home Care and Hospice
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines
- Ronald McDonald House Charities
- Bishop Drumm Retirement Center
- Volunteer Iowa
