Patients at Great Plains Regional Medical Center will soon see more teens helping around the hospital. On March 21, Great Plains will launch the Junior Volunteer Ambassador program, a new program designed to engage local youth in the spirit of volunteering, health career exploration and patient service.

“The JV Ambassador program will partner adult volunteers and health care professionals with energetic and responsible teens to serve our patients and learn from each other,” said Julie Calahan, Great Plains Regional Medical Center director of volunteer services.

To become a Great Plains JV Ambassador, teens must be between the ages of 14 and 19. They must fill out a brief application and then go through an interview process. Selected teens must be willing to attend a half-day orientation and commit to at least eight hours per month of total volunteering hours at Great Plains.

The program will offer multiple volunteer opportunities throughout the hospital including patient and visitor escorting, clinical areas, the information desks and clerical areas. Along with monthly volunteerism opportunities, JV Ambassadors will benefit from education sessions held every month focusing on various careers and skills.

Parents and interested teens are invited to attend an informational session and kick-off event on March 21, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., at the Quality Inn Sandhills Convention Center in North Platte. Interested volunteers and their parents/guardians are encouraged to attend. RSVPs will be taken until March 14 and can be made by calling the volunteer services office at 308.696.7475 or emailing Julie Calahan at [email protected].