Our Volunteers
Astera Health’s goals are best accomplished through the active participation of volunteers that live and work in the communities we serve.
Your Work Makes a Difference
Volunteers are a critical part of Astera Health. Volunteers with cheerful tact, poise, a cooperative attitude, and a conscientious approach will long be remembered by patients, staff, and other volunteers.
CONTACT US
Kim Beiswenger
Astera Health Foundation Lead/Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: 218-631-7499
415 Jefferson Street North
Wadena, MN 56482
Application Process
Opportunities in our Facility
Opportunities Outside our Facility & Special Events
Student Volunteering
Application Process
Our Application Process
Requirements:
- Be at least 15 (if under 18 must have parental consent form signed) link here
- Communicate clearly in English
- Due to passing background and fingerprint studies, applicant cannot have a felony record
All Applicants must complete the following:
- Application (click here)
- Interview
- Appointment with Human Resources:
- Minnesota DHS background study
- Fingerprint study and a photograph
- Photo for a badge that is to be always worn while volunteering in our facility
- Interview with Employee Health Nurse:
- Proof of vaccination for MMR, Chicken Pox
- Proof of a blood test for Tuberculosis in the past 90 days or will be drawn at Astera.
- If the applicant does not have proof, blood tests will be drawn at no expense to the applicant.
- General Orientation (4 hours) covering our policies and required facility training.
- Department-specific orientation and training based on role of the volunteer.
- The application process can take up to 2-3 weeks to complete all the requirements before you can volunteer.
Opportunities in our Facility
Opportunities within Astera Health
Clerical Services
- Filing or scanning records
- Collating
- Data entry
- Computer projects
- Sort/assembling packets, folders, and support guides
- Making and answering phone calls
- Assembling mailings
- Assemble treatment support bags when needed.
Clinic Outpatient Surgical Reminder Callers
- Making phone calls to pre and post op procedure patients
- Requires excellent customer service and computer capability
Cancer Center and Inpatient/Outpatient Services
- Be our ambassador by greeting and welcoming guests upon arrival and offer an encouraging farewell upon departure.
- Act as the point of reference for guests who need assistance or information. Become familiar with and share information about services, classes and support groups.
- Actively listen and engage with others. Understand guest’s needs and provide them with personalized solutions by suggesting amenities, activities and services available.
- Direct guests to amenities in family lounge areas
- Offer refreshments and engage guests and patients in friendly conversation.
- Maintain Panty in the Cancer Center and the Nourishment kitchen on the inpatient unit.
- Prepare and display beverage and snack options such as coffee, water and freshly baked cookies for guests. Keep counters clean, replenish serviceware and condiments as needed.
- Guide guests between Astera Health Coborn Cancer Center or other locations as needed.
- Ready rooms and/or conference rooms for upcoming events and replenish, maintain supplies between activities or consults.
- Control clutter by organizing, redistributing, and putting away supplies; tidy up, sanitize and replenish materials such as art supplies, reading material and brochures.
- Arrange for guests to receive donated items such as hats, scarves, seatbelt covers and lap blankets as appropriate in the Cancer Center. Replenish donations for patients in the Cancer Center designated locations.
- Restock materials for patients/guests (handouts/fliers/brochures/resources) at Coborn Cancer Center.
- Provide tours of common areas.
- Escort visitors to the patient’s room if needed.
- Minor cleaning duties in lobby (organizing wheelchairs, tossing cups left by patients, wiping down chairs, beverage station and microwave periodically).
- Volunteers must be comfortable with standing/walking for majority of shift.
- Visit with guests and patients. Provide basic comfort measures (warm blanket, snacks/refreshments), listening and spending time with the patients.
- Stock and maintain supplies.
- Periodically organize/clean storage space
- Distribute appointment notices
- Assist with way finding
- Transport patients in wheelchairs.
Specialty Volunteer Positions:
- Cosmetologist free wig fittings (4 hours) must be a licensed cosmetologist
- Reiki/Healing Touch services or hand massages
- Pet Partners Teams in the Cancer Center
- Musicians Cancer Center Lobby – bring in their own instrument (keyboard, guitar or harp)
Opportunities Outside our Facility & Special Events
Opportunities Outside our Facility & Special Events
Knitting, crocheting, and sewing for obstetrics and chemo items.
- Knitted and crocheted breasts for bras during the reconstruction phase (Pattern)
- Knitted baby hat. *Add link*
- Knitted and crochet chemo hats (Pattern)
- Chemo port pillow (Pattern)
- Sewn chemo hats
Events
- Golf Classic – May 30, 2025
- Pink Flannel and Fizz – October 3, 2025
- Breakfast at Tiffany’s Brunch – September 13, 2025
- Blood Drives twice a year
- And more!
Student Volunteering
VolunTEENS
VolunTEEN is a special teenager who volunteers at Astera, giving patients, visitors, and staff a helping hand. The VolunTEEN’s cheerful tact, poise, cooperative attitude, and conscientious approach to their task will be long remembered by the patients, staff, and other volunteers.
Some of the duties and responsibilities of the VolunTEEN include:
- Delivering flowers and watering plants/flowers in patient rooms when necessary
- Providing fresh water and beverages to patients and visitors
- Running errands
- Spending special time with pediatric patients
- Talking, reading, or visiting with patients
- Visiting Swing Bed patients