Volunteer Overview

Volunteer Locations & Program Information

Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital

NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, a 299 bed facility located right off the George Washington Bridge, offers the best available care in every area of pediatrics — including the most complex neonatal and critical care, and all areas of pediatric subspecialties — in a family-friendly and technologically advanced setting. Building a reputation for more than a century as one of the nation’s premier children’s hospitals, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital is affiliated with the Department of Pediatrics at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and is Manhattan’s only hospital dedicated solely to the care of children and one of the largest providers of children’s health services in the tri-state area with a long-standing commitment to its community. It is also a major international referral center, meeting the special needs of children from infancy through adolescence worldwide.

Volunteer Opportunities

Patient & Visitor Screening Program

In an effort to keep all of our patients, visitors and staff safe, Patient & Visitor Screening volunteers will assist in welcoming and screening all patients and visitors for fever and other symptoms, Covid-19 exposures, and recent travel history when they enter the hospital. Volunteers may also provide patients/visitors with masks as they enter the site and ask them to perform hand hygiene. Must be 18 years of age or older to volunteer.

Available daily, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Radio Lollipop

Radio Lollipop volunteers run an onsite, interactive radio studio that can be patient-operated and broadcast to every room within the hospital. The on-air broadcast also features games, art projects, storytelling, and contests with prizes for kids. Volunteer DJs create excitement among patients by playing music hits, taking call-in requests, and putting kids "on-air" to actively participate in the magic of radio. Under the direction of Child Life staff, volunteers may also provide arts and crafts activities and play games with patients at the bedside. Must be 18 years of age or older to volunteer.

Monday through Friday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Child Life (Pediatrics)

The Child Life Program at Morgan Stanley Children's is designed to reduce the emotional impact of illness and hospitalization on children and their families. Volunteers can help Child Life staff by welcoming patients and families, providing toys and arts and crafts activities, playing games with patients and being a companion when needed. Under the direct supervision of a Child Life Specialist, volunteers can play with children in the playroom, at bedside, and in the Same Day Surgery department. Must be 18 years of age or older to volunteer.

Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Emergency Department (Pediatrics)

The emergency room can feel like a stressful place, especially for kids and their parents or caregivers. Volunteers in the emergency department can help provide emotional support to the patients and their families while they’re in the waiting room of the ED. Volunteers also liaise between patients, families, and clinical staff, and are trained in various methods of interaction with children such as one-to-one or group readings, board games, activities, drawing, etc. Must be 18 years of age or older to volunteer.

Daily program, 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM

The Family Resource Center

The Family Resource Center provides a warm, quiet, and inviting place where families can do research issues facing their children. The Center is staffed with a full- time Health Librarian who can assist families with research requests on diagnoses and other health and hospital-related issues. Information on other resources is also available at the center. Volunteers assist the Family Resource Center Librarian as well as patients and families in navigating the amenities available in the FRC (computers, fax/copy, etc.) In addition, volunteers may deliver information packets to designated patient/family rooms.Must be 21 years of age or older.

Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Clerical Volunteers

Clerical volunteers provide general office assistance at the direction of departmental staff. Tasks may include answering telephones, filing, data entry or light typing, labeling, and running errands. A pleasant personality, attention to detail, and accuracy are important to be successful in this role! Opportunities are available in various settings: clinics, nursing units, doctor offices, administration etc. Computer knowledge is helpful but not required. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Occupational/Physical Therapy

Volunteers may assist therapists with follow-up phone surveys, appointment confirmation, and patient registration. They greet patients upon arrival and assist therapists with a variety of tasks such as setup/cleanup of the treatment area, organizing materials, assisting with treatment groups, and folding towels, sheets, and gowns. Applicants must be currently attending OT/PT school or actively applying. Must be 18 years of age or older.

Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sloane Hospital for Women: Ante & Post Partum Units

Volunteers are trained to visit expectant and new mothers to assess their needs and provide a warm welcome environment. Unit volunteers may also help with general office tasks at the direction of departmental staff. Duties may include answering telephones, filing, data entry, or using innovative technology to survey patients and obtain feedback in real-time. Ideal volunteer candidates should be compassionate, empathic, and tech savvy. Must be 18 years of age or older.

Monday through Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM