SMU Volunteers - La Clinica de La Raza

Who we are: La Clinica de La Raza is a non-profit, community-based health center established in 1971 to address health barriers and create better lives for the underserved. We have proudly grown into over 35 sites across Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano County. To learn more about our history, click here: Our History - La Clinica or visit our website at www.laclinica.org.

Summary:
La Clínica volunteers are individuals who donate their services to La Clínica, freely and without pressure or coercion, for civic, charitable, or humanitarian purposes without the promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation. A Volunteer can be paid only for reimbursement of reasonable expenses related to their volunteer activities. To qualify as a Volunteer, the individual must be willing to provide services according to these guidelines.
If you are unsure whether your activities qualify as a Volunteer, contact Human Resources at hrteam@laclinica.org.

Commitment to Quality:
All volunteers are accountable for delivering high-quality services. While we understand that errors can happen, it is crucial to acknowledge and rectify them promptly. If you have concerns about any aspect of your volunteer experience, please don’t hesitate to speak up. If you feel something is not meeting your expectations, start by discussing it with your assigned supervisor or coordinator. If the issue persists, you can escalate the matter to the department manager or Human Resources for further support. At La Clinica, we strive to address all concerns promptly and effectively, with the goal of preventing similar issues from arising in the future.

Volunteer Responsibilities:
• Guest Services: Greet attendees, provide directions, and ensure a smooth flow of events.
• Survey Collection: Collect and log surveys to help us evaluate our programs and services.
• Children’s Education: Engage with young children through interactive storytelling and puppet shows that promote healthy habits, such as the importance of nutritious eating and vaccination.
• Event Support: Assist with the setup and breakdown of events, including PowerPoint presentations, prenatal classes and other activities.
• Supervised Administrative Support: Includes, but not limited to making copies, preparing health education materials, and assembling registration packets. (Limited to 5 hours a week)

Prohibited Activities and Volunteer Guidelines:
• Volunteers should not take on any role that duplicates the responsibilities of a paid employee.
• La Clinica does not permit the payment of volunteers for their services, including gift cards. However, we may reimburse volunteers for reasonable and actual expenses incurred while performing their volunteer duties, such as mileage at the IRS standard rate for volunteers (https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/standard-mileage-rates).

Procedures:
Health Clearance Requirements (ALL PARTICIPANTS)
Immunization records: Ensure that each vaccination document includes the patient’s name, date, and location information.
• Flu shot within the current season.
• Hepatitis B
• MMR
• TDAP
• Varicella
• Covid Vaccines (1st and 2nd dose)
• Negative TB test within the last year, or Chest Radiograph within the last two years
Clearance requirements for Volunteers (18 years or older):
• Passing background check, ensuring a match between the name provided on the application, resume, and ID; the ID must not be expired.
• Sign and complete all necessary forms.
• Provide a valid government-issued ID.
• Mask fit test (upon request by the Clinic Manager)
Clearance requirements for Minors
• Signed consent form by parent/guardian (no background check required)
• A valid school ID
• Mask fit test (upon request by the Clinic Manager)
Dress Code and Personal Appearance:
As a La Clínica volunteer, you are expected to present yourself in a professional and respectful manner. Please consult with your supervisor to determine the appropriate attire for your specific volunteer duties. The following guidelines should be followed:
• Maintain good personal hygiene, including clean hands, fingernails, hair, brushed teeth.
• For safety reasons, open-toe shoes are not allowed to be worn in clinical areas.
• Refrain from wearing clothing that may be deemed offensive or inappropriate, such as:
o Shorts
o Tank tops or halter tops
o See-through or revealing clothing
o Spandex or skin-tight pants
o High heels (higher than 2-inches) or flip-flop sandals
o Clothing in disrepair

Confidentiality:
As a volunteer, you may have access to confidential information regarding La Clínica, its employees, volunteers, or customers. This includes sensitive information such as names, phone numbers, addresses, dates of birth, health status, and employee personnel files. This information is considered Protected Health Information (PHI) and must be treated with utmost care.
To ensure the confidentiality and security of this information, please follow these guidelines:
• Discuss confidential matters only in private settings and only when necessary.
• Never share passwords or access codes under any circumstances.
• Always log off your computer when you step away or finish using it.
• Dispose of paper documents containing confidential or Protected Health Information in designated shredding bins, not regular trash cans.
• File documents in their designated place when you are done with them.
• Keep confidential or sensitive information locked away when not in use.
• Do not take-home documents contain personal health information.
• Exercise caution when sending emails or leaving voicemails; avoid sharing confidential information.

If you are unsure of your obligations under this policy, please consult with your supervisor. Failure to comply with this policy may result in dismissal and potential civil penalties.

Equipment and Electronic Media:
La Clínica phones, electronic mail (e-mail), copy machines and other equipment are to be used for La Clínica business purposes. Volunteers may use phones and or e-mail only on a limited basis for personal matters so as not to interfere with work performance.
Volunteers must observe the following usage guidelines:
• Authorize Use: Only use La Clínica’s equipment and systems for authorized, lawful, and work-related activities. Avoid accessing or saving non-work-related materials.
• Email and Internet Etiquette: Be cautious when opening emails and attachments from unknown senders, as they may contain viruses. Do not download or save unauthorized files.
• Personal Use: Confine your personal use of the Internet, email and chat to personal accounts that you access from home.
• Prohibited Content: Do not access, view, or participate in any content that is illegal, offensive, morally reprehensible, obscene, pornographic, derogatory, or questionable.
• Notify your supervisor regarding any questions or knowledge of improper use of software or equipment.

Child Abuse/Neglect or Elder Abuse Reporting:
• If you suspect a child or senior being served by La Clinica is experiencing physical or mental health abuse or neglect, report it immediately to your supervisor.
• All records related to reporting suspected abuse or neglect are confidential.

Safety and Security:
At La Clínica, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our volunteers and patients. To ensure a safe and healthy work environment, we expect all volunteers to follow these essential safety guidelines:
•Report any safety concerns: If you notice any condition or practice that you believe is unsafe, inform your supervisor immediately.
•Follow posted safety rules and instructions: Familiarize yourself with all safety protocols and procedures to ensure a safe working environment.
•Emergency preparedness: Familiarize yourself with fire exit locations, fire extinguishers, and emergency evacuation procedures.
•Use authorized equipment and protective gear: Only operate equipment you’ve been trained to use and wear protective gear when required.
•Promptly report accidents and injuries: Notify your supervisor of any accidents or injuries and seek first aid assistance as needed.
•Ergonomic guidelines: Follow guidelines for chair and computer use to prevent strain and injury.
•Lifting techniques: Lift with your legs, not your back, to avoid injury.
•Safe parking practices: Adhere to parking and speed regulations when entering or leaving the parking lot Remember, your safety is our top priority.

If you're unsure about any aspect of these protocols, don't hesitate to ask your supervisor for guidance.

Special note to Promotors and Peer Educators:
Promotors and Peer Educators who decide to formalize their role as Volunteers of La Clínica are distinguishing their commitment to support La Clínica activities and step into a more involved role in the delivery of community education and services. Volunteers are then committing their time with greater regularity and involvement.

Suggestion: By formalizing their role as Promotors and Peer Educators, these dedicated individuals amplify their commitment to La Clínica's mission and mission-critical activities. As Volunteers of La Clínica, they transition from occasional involvement to a more sustained and engaged partnership, enabling them to make a greater impact in the community through regular and meaningful contributions

La Clínica reserves the right to release a volunteer for failure to uphold the Volunteer Service