Become a Volunteer

Contact: Maria Burns, CAVS, Director of Volunteer Services

Phone (718) 670-1125

Email mab9021@nyp.org.

Among the individuals helping to make NYHQ a caring and effective institution are the many volunteers who assist hospital staff and support patients.

Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students

• Child Life Program- provide recreational activities for pediatric
  patients in a playroom setting. Emphasis in art therapy. Weekday or weekend.
• Clerical - provide clerical support (filing, mailings, answering phones, etc.) in an office setting. Weekdays only.
• Gift Shop- become involved in many aspects of retail management, including cashier, stock and sales. Weekday or weekend.
• Patient Care- distribute water and ice to patients, assist at nurses’ station, provide messenger and clerical services. Weekday or weekend.

Volunteer Opportunities for College Students

• Child Life - provide recreational activities for pediatric patients in a playroom setting. Emphasis in art therapy. Ideal for: psychology, early childhood development, sociology, and art students.
• Dental Medicine- provide support services to dental students, including breakdown and sterilization of equipment, mounting of x-rays. Weekdays only. Ideal for: pre-dental students.
• Emergency Department- provide patient hospitality as well as support services for the Emergency Department staff. Must be 18 years of age or older. After orientation, additional two hour training required. Ideal for: pre-med, physician assistant, public health administration, social work, and patient advocacy students.
• Medical Interpreter- assist patients who have limited English proficiency to navigate the medical center. Includes escorting as well as interpreting. Must be fluent in both the patient's native language and in English. Must make a minimum 1-year commitment.
• Musician Program- entertain patients at bedside and/or visitors in waiting areas with soothing music played on guitar, violin, etc. Instruments must be portable. Audition or demo CD required. Ideal for: music students.
• Patient Hospitality- visit with patients to offer items from our hospitality cart, engage patients in conversation, and assist patients with their non-medical needs. Also, greet newly-admitted patients and assist patients during discharge. After orientation, additional 2-hour training required. Weekday or weekend, day or evening. Ideal for: pre-med, physician assistant, and nursing students.
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation- provide support services for physical therapists and physical therapy assistants, such as preparing hot and cold packs, setting up and breaking down equipment, etc., and some clerical work. Ideal for: pre-physical therapy students. Positions limited, weekdays only.
• Surgical Liaison- serve as liaison between recovery room staff and relatives of surgical patients during surgical procedures. Ideal for: psychology, human services, health administration, ministry, and pre-med students.

Volunteer Opportunities for Adults

• Child Life Program- provide recreational activities for pediatric patients in a playroom setting. Emphasis in art therapy. Weekday or weekend.
• Clerical—provide clerical support (filing, mailings, answering phones, etc.) in an office setting. Weekdays only.
• Emergency Department- provide patient hospitality as well as support services for Emergency Department staff. Must be 18 years of age or older. After orientation, additional two hour training required.
• Gift Shop- become involved in many aspects of retail management, including cashier, stock, and sales. Weekday or weekend, day or evening.
• Medical Interpreter- assist patients who have limited English proficiency to navigate the medical center. Includes escorting as well as interpreting. Must be fluent in both the patient's native language and in English. Must make a minimum 1-year commitment.
• Musician Program- entertain patients at bedside and/or visitors in waiting areas with soothing music played on guitar, violin, etc. Instruments must be portable. Audition or demo CD required.
• Patient Hospitality- visit with patients to offer items from our hospitality cart, engage patients in conversation, and assist patients with their non-medical needs. Also, greet newly-admitted patients and assist patients during discharge. After orientation, additional 2-hour training required. Weekday or weekend, day or evening.
• Visitor Guide- greet and direct visitors at main floor intersections. Weekday only.

Acceptance into all programs is dependent upon interview outcome. Interview, medical clearance, and orientation required for all positions.

For a volunteer experience in a nursing home, please contact our affiliate, the Silvercrest Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, at www.silvercrest.org.