Volunteer Form

Thank you for your interest in the Senior Medicare Patrol volunteer program. As a volunteer, you will play a vital role in the overall success of the Wisconsin SMP. The information that you will impart as a volunteer will be key to helping seniors in your community to become better health care consumers. Together we can inform and empower Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers on how to protect, detect, and report Medicare fraud, abuses and errors. By volunteering, you will have an opportunity to use your talents, skills and networking to provide outreach and education on Medicare fraud in your community. Your volunteer involvement can range from distributing materials, staffing a booth, to giving presentations. A description of these three activities is below.

SMP Volunteer Roles

• Information distributor: A Distributor helps to transport and distribute SMP information materials to various sites, kiosks or senior centers throughout their community where information resources are made available to residences. Volunteers who work in this role do not engage in discussions with others about personal information or situations. All questions or comments are noted by the volunteer and given to the Volunteer Coordinator for follow up.
• Exhibitor: An exhibitor helps to staff an informational table or booth at community events such as senior resources fairs, wellness expos, health workshops, conferences, civic or faith-based organizations, food pantries, libraries, or non-profit agencies. These volunteers provide information about the program to the attendees and answer basic questions related to how to prevent, detect and report Medicare fraud, abuse and errors.
• Presenter: A presenter gives presentations about the fundamentals of SMP to small and large groups. The role includes the opportunity to interact with the audience. If time allows, additional interaction will occur through Q & A and discussion at the end of the presentation. The presentations vary in length from 10 to 60 minutes. Depending on the time allotment and the audience, the presentations may involve a PowerPoint presentation or an engagement activity, The FUNdamentals of Patrolling Health Care.

All positions require some training and an orientation. Training is provided both in-person and online. We want to provide you with the information and background you’ll need to be knowledgeable and capable of responding to questions from members of the community. These latter two roles also require a background check.

Benefits of servings as an SMP Volunteer

The SMP program offers volunteers an opportunity to make an important difference in their communities. Volunteers take pride in working to ensure that the Medicare program will be protected for future generations. Volunteers have access to professional development opportunities, a strong network of aging and disability professionals, and chances to enhance interpersonal skills.

Time Commitment

SMP Volunteers have flexibility in the time devoted to the program. While there is not an obligation for a specific monthly time commitment, it is asked that volunteers commit to at least a year due to the amount of training required.

Reporting

Volunteers report directly to the SMP Volunteer Coordinator and submit monthly time sheets and mileage reports.

Qualifications

• Commitment to the SMP mission and values
• Willingness and ability to learn about Medicare and SMP related issues
• Impartiality when working with people of diverse backgrounds
• Willingness and means to travel to SMP events and presentations

Responsibilities and Requirements

• Present a professional manner when representing SMP
• Complete all required orientation and trainings
• Broaden the SMP message through the agreed upon role
• Possess a valid driver’s license and up to date auto insurance
• Consent to a criminal and personal background check
• Submit monthly time sheets and mileage reports

Volunteers are an asset to our program and play a major role of the organization’s success. Please join our growing team of SMP volunteers from across the state!

About the Volunteer Application & Screening Process

1. What are the steps in the application and screening process?
   

   At a minimum, the process requires a completed application form and an interview. Depending on the role, the screening process may also include two reference checks, a criminal records check, driving records check, and checks on education or employment background.

2. Why are there so many steps in the process?
   

   The SMP program takes seriously the safety of the program’s beneficiaries and volunteers. Many of the people who use the program’s services are in a vulnerable position due to illness, infirmity, and dependence. A thorough screening process enables the program to maintain a safe and productive community service program with trustworthy and reliable volunteers who do not present a risk of harm to themselves and others.

3. Who reviews my application form?
   

   The coordinator of volunteers and anyone who participates in your interview will review your application form.

4. Why do you ask about conflicts of interest on the application form?
   

   The program strives to provide objective and unbiased information and services involving Medicare and other health insurance programs. Objectivity is important to building trust with individuals and a reputation of trustworthiness in the community. To build a volunteer workforce that provides objective information and services, we ask applicants to declare if they have a financial, personal, or philosophical interest that may present a conflict with the program’s interest in maintaining its reputation for objectivity.

5. Why do you check references and conduct a criminal records check (for some positions)?
   

   These types of checks are conducted for volunteer roles that we deem “positions of trust,” meaning they involve access to clients or client personal information (see the SMP Volunteer Roles handout included in this packet). We check at least two personal and/or work references because they provide relevant information for the managers who make the acceptance and placement decisions. We also check criminal records to ensure the safety of SMP. We will inform you of the screening steps required for the position for which you have applied and conduct them only with your consent.

6. What will you do with the sensitive personal information that I provide?
   

   At a minimum, the process requires a completed application form and an interview. Depending on the role, the screening process may also include two reference checks, a criminal records check, driving records check, and checks on education or employment background.

7. How will I learn if I have been accepted for placement as an SMP volunteer?
   

   You will receive a letter that notifies you of our decision. If we accept you for placement, the letter will also inform you about orientation and training program for new volunteers.

8. How long does the screening process take?
   

   The length of time may vary depending on our ability to schedule an interview, the availability of references to take calls and answer questions, and the response time of authorities who conduct driving records checks and criminal records checks. The process could take 3 weeks. We will update you if the process takes longer than we expect.

The steps to becoming a valued member of the SMP volunteer team

• Complete the application and return the form to the SMP office
• Phone interview
• Reference and federal background checks completed
• A follow-up email sent
• In person orientation, at a convenient location, we will come to you
• Training information sent, all training is conducted online
• Complete training at your own pace
• Collaborate with staff on attending events and/or giving presentations until you feel comfortable being on your own
• Broaden the SMP message throughout your community!