Volunteer

Welcome to University Hospital Volunteer Services

Program overview:
We’re thrilled that you’re interested in volunteering with us! Volunteers at University Hospital generously dedicate their time and talents to support our patients, their families, our staff, and the community. They play a vital role in enhancing the hospital operations by assisting in a variety of meaningful ways.

Ways Volunteers Make an Impact 

Supporting Our Patients

Volunteers play a crucial role in helping our hospital run smoothly by assisting staff in various departments. Opportunities include:

• Provide assistance to guests, patients and families as they enter our facilities through the Blue Coat Program.
• Volunteer in patient-care units, offering comfort and companionship.
• Assist the Patient Transport Services department by escorting patients between hospital areas.
• Distribute books and other materials to our inpatients through our Pages For Patients Program to brighten a patient’s day.
• Participate in our Infant Cuddler Program, bringing warmth and care to newborns.
• Join our Pet Therapy Program (both handler and pet must be certified).
• Support meal assistance efforts through the Silver Spoon Program, helping to ensure patients receive proper nutrition and mealtime support.

Ultimately, our dedicated volunteers are providing the best experience for our patients and their loved ones.

Supporting Our Staff

• Providing administrative and clerical support.
• Supporting non-clinical departments to enhance hospital operations.
• Helping in the Volunteer Services Office to coordinate programs and initiatives.
• Assisting the Population Health and Community Affairs Departments with special events and outreach efforts.

Volunteer support helps our staff focus on delivering exceptional care to our patients and community!

Type of Volunteers/Programs

• Administrative Volunteers – Provide support to designated non-clinical departments.
• Blue Coat Crew – Assist patients and visitors with wayfinding, patient transport, and accessing care.
• Patient Experience Volunteers – Engage directly with patients by offering support in hospital inpatient units and our clinics.
• Community Volunteers – Support outreach and public health initiatives through the Community Affairs or Population Health departments.
• Educational Volunteers – High school or College students seeking school-based internships in healthcare.
• Spiritual Care Volunteers (Adults only, certification required) – Provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, staff, and community members.
• Emergency Medicine Research Assistants (Invitation only) – Assist with research projects in the Emergency Department.
• CHAMP Volunteer Program – Serve as a caring helper and advocate for Emergency Department patients.

General Volunteer Requirements

To ensure a meaningful and safe experience for both our volunteers and patients, all volunteers must meet the following criteria:

Age Requirement

• Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
• Those under 18 years old must submit a parental consent form for both work and medical clearance.

Time Commitment

• To maximize their impact, volunteers should be available for at least six hours per week.
• Volunteers are expected to commit to a minimum of 150 hours within a six-month period.
• For the Summer Volunteer Program, a minimum of 62 hours is required between July and August.

While additional hours are appreciated, volunteers are expected to commit to a minimum of 150 hours within a six-month period (at least 62 hours for our summer volunteer program). To maximize the impact of volunteer contributions, individuals should be available to dedicate at least six hours per week.

Screening Process

All volunteers are carefully screened and receive background checks (18+) to ensure the safety and privacy of our patients. The onboarding process includes:

• Completing an online application
• Attending a 3-4 hour orientation and training session
• Obtaining medical clearance – including receiving the seasonal flu shot
• Undergoing a drug screen (minors must be accompanied by a parent)
• Completing required online trainings

The Road to Volunteering

1. Application: After reviewing all the information and requirements on this page, please complete the volunteer application by clicking HERE. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed, and we will notify if you have been accepted into the program.

2. Onboarding: If selected for a volunteer position, you will receive an email containing the necessary requirements and detailed instructions for the onboarding process.

3. New Volunteer Orientation: Once all the required documentation is submitted, you will be scheduled for New Volunteer Orientation (NVO). Orientations are held bi-weekly on Tuesdays at 1 pm and 6 pm on alternating weeks.

4. Clearance & Uniform: After attending the NVO, you will receive your volunteer uniform, lanyard, and ID badge, officially marking the start of your volunteer journey.

Dress code
We ask that all volunteers present a professional appearance, keeping their assigned uniforms neat and clean for every shift and keep their person well-groomed for each shift. Please note that some volunteer programs have specific dress codes.

Volunteer Expectations

Volunteering comes with a great deal of responsibility and commitment. Your primary role is to be helpful, courteous, dependable, and punctual while maintaining patient confidentiality. As you interact with new individuals, these qualities are essential to creating a positive and professional experience for everyone.

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” ~Elizabeth Andrew

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the high volume of volunteer applications that we receive, we are unable to accommodate every request for service hours. After careful consideration, each applicant is carefully considered based on experience, placement opportunities, and availability. Unfortunately, this means that not all applicants will be selected or contacted for a volunteer position.

We appreciate your understanding and interest and look forward to working with you.

The University Hospital Volunteer Services Team