Volunteer MTs at the Veterans Administration Hospital

Hello! This is my first post here. I am a recently graduated MT from Seattle, WA, and temporarily living in West Virginia. I work at a spa, and am trying to volunteer my time for added experience.

 

Volunteerism isn't a large part of the culture here in Appalachia.I assumed the VA Hospital in Beckley, WV would be better than most places, since they have Federal money and are in the VA network across the country. However, they never had a volunteer MT before, and the Volunteer Coordinator was eager to make me a test case. It took a long time to get approved to work with staff and families, and I may not get to work with patients at all, but I'm finally "credentialed" and approved.

 

What I need is people who have volunteered at VA Hospitals or other Federal agencies in their capacity as MTs. We are crafting a program within the military beaurocracy, which doesn't seem to be sharing information. Other VA Hospitals have had volunteer MTs. If yoiu are one of them, would you share your experiences and comments?

 

I appreciate your help, whatever your level of experience with this.

 

Thanks,

 

Eric Saylor

LMT, State of WV

LMP, State of WA