NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center

Overview

There are over 180 departments and programs at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center that utilize the services of volunteers. The following list will give you a brief overview of a few areas as well as demonstrate the diversity of volunteer opportunities available. Some assignments will involve direct patient/client contact, while others focus more on clerical program support. Availability of assignments will vary depending upon the needs of a particular department or program at any given time.

See the list of areas in which volunteers are needed most.

The Deadline for Summer Applications is March 31st
Volunteers must commit to 150 hours of service
Summer Volunteers commit to 120 hours of service within 6-8 weeks
There are limited spots available for weekends & evenings
We will contact you only if you will be invited in for an interview

Volunteer Opportunities

Advocacy Counseling and Entitlement Services (ACES) Volunteers provide in person and phone counseling to patients regarding all city, state, and federal benefit entitlement programs. Provide resource information and make referrals to appropriate agencies. Training provided. Must be 55 or older.

Available Fridays 10 AM - 4 PM

Ambulatory Care Clinics Volunteers act as liaisons between patients, families and staff. Assist patients and families in waiting rooms, with registration, pre-operative tasks and escorting. Clerical responsibilities may include answering phones, computer/data entry and filing. Good interpersonal skills required.

Available Monday through Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Child Life (Pediatrics) Help ease the fears of children facing hospital stays, by offering support and guidance to them and their families. Assist staff in one of the many therapeutic playrooms in the hospital. Volunteers work with children and adolescents on activities such as arts and crafts, writing, reading, helping with schoolwork and playing games. A background in art and education is helpful.

Available Monday through Sunday 9am-9pm.

Clerical Volunteers provide clerical support to hospital staff in various departments. Tasks include filing, faxing, answering phones, data entry and typing. Knowledge of the computer is helpful but not required. The following is a brief listing of departments that utilize clerical volunteers: central sterile supply, radiology, volunteer & interpreter services, occupational health and the Health Center of Queens (Long Island City).

Available Monday through Friday 9 AM - 5 PM

Emergency Department (ED) The volunteer role in the ED is to add a personal dimension of concern and compassion to patients and their families improve the quality of care and to assist the staff as needed in the delivery of care. The volunteer, by letting patients and their families know that someone is concerned about their emotional and physical needs and is there to assist in finding solutions to their problems, can have a significant impact on the individuals perception of the ED and hospital experience. The volunteer, through communication and the use of problem solving techniques can change what might otherwise be perceived as an impersonal environment, to one of compassion and concern. Volunteers also provide an invaluable service by supporting the ED staff.

Available daily with flexible hours.

Comfort Zone Volunteers will provide emotional support to friends and family members who may be experiencing the related stress of additional responsibility – emotionally and spiritually of the caring and supporting of our patients.

Escort Services Volunteers escort patients throughout various areas on the hospital and deliver packages to patients.

Available Monday through Friday 9 AM - 5 PM

General Volunteer Volunteers will go where needed in the hospital. Everyday will be a different experience as the volunteer will help different departments. Must make great first impressions.

Available Monday through Friday 9 AM - 5 PM

Hospital Elder Life Program Volunteers assist elderly patients on the Acute Care for Elders unit. Volunteers are specially trained to aid patients with feeding, ambulating, therapeutic activities, and daily exercise and relaxation techniques. Extensive and ongoing training provided. Contact the coordinator at 212-746-5919.

Available daily 8 AM - 9 PM

Information Desk Volunteers provide information to the public. Answer all patient/visitor inquiries regarding both in-patient and out patient services. Answer phones and call departments as needed. Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Training provided.

Available daily 9 AM - 5 PM

Look Good Feel Better The Look Good…Feel Better Program is a national public service program designed to help women undergoing cancer treatment learn to cope with the appearance-related side effects of treatment and regain a sense of self-confidence and control over their lives. During sessions volunteer cosmetologists (must be certified professionals) teach women how to enhance their appearance using make-up and hair replacement techniques.

Available the third Monday of each month 2 PM - 5 PM

Medical Records Assist clerk with administrative operations. Must be able to file in numeric and alphabetical order as well as answer phones, retrieve patient records and utilize computer for data inquiry.

Available Monday through Friday 9 AM - 5 PM

Milkshake Program Volunteers prepare and serve milkshakes to bedridden and diet restricted oncology patients. Training is provided by hospital chef. You must be at least 21 years old to participate in this program.

Available on Thursdays 2pm-4pm

Nancy's Friends Specially trained volunteers facilitate much needed support for cancer patients and their families. Volunteers are valued members of the Oncology care team. In this distinctive role volunteers assist the care team in achieving the goals of care for patients and offer a sense of continuity to patients and families. Volunteers are trained to aid patients with feeding, therapeutic activities and relaxation techniques. Training provided. Contact the coordinator at 212-746-0468.

Available daily 9 AM - 9 PM

Neural Connections This group of specialized volunteers works directly with patients of all ages afflicted with various neurological conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, strokes, epilepsy, migraines, Parkinson's Disease, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, and neurosurgery. Main component of the program is to provide emotional support and basic assistance with activities of daily living. Tasks include friendly visits, acting as liaisons for the patients, mobilization and mealtime assistance, and conducting recreational activities. Extensive and ongoing training provided.

Available daily 9 AM - 9 PM

Nursing Unit Aides Programs Choose from any of the following programs: 5 STAR, GI Joes, Renal Rocks, Our Helping Hands, etc. Must be mobile and able to stand for prolonged periods of time. Duties may include assisting unit clerks with greeting visitors, answering patient call lights, transporting patients via wheelchair, feeding and ambulating patients, providing diversional activities and general administrative/clerical assistance. The following is a brief listing of in-patient units that utilize volunteers: burn center, cardiology, maternity, medical/surgical and psychiatry.

Available daily 8 AM - 9 PM

Pastoral Care General chaplaincy volunteers are people with good listening skills who are warm, caring and concerned. Volunteers visit patients throughout the hospital and assess the need for a chaplain.

Available daily 9am-9pm.

Patients' Library/Book Cart The Patients’ Library is a volunteer run service. Volunteers assist with the daily operations of the library such as prepare, shelve, and circulate books, deliver book carts to patient areas, answer phones and respond to patient requests

Available Monday through Friday 9 AM - 5 PM

Pet Therapy (Dogs on Call) This program is for dog owners that have a certified dog and the vet report is up-to-date. Bring your certified therapy dog to patients throughout the hospital. You and your pet will put a smile on every patients face.

Available Mon-Sun 9am-9pm.

Site Navigator Site Navigator is a program designed to reduce confusion that visitors have when navigating in the hospital. Volunteers help by walking with patients or visitors to the area of the hospital that they wish to visit. If you want to put a smile on someone’s face, then this is the program for you! Training provided / standing for 50 minutes is required.

Available 7 days a week 8am-9pm.

Waiting Room Liaison Volunteers act as a liaison between staff and family members in the waiting area outside the operating rooms. Keep families informed of patient status and be able to relay information in a professional and compassionate manner. Strong communication and customer service skills are required.

Available Monday through Friday 9 AM - 8 PM

Note:
It is expected that all volunteers observe and respect the policies and procedures of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital at all times. Volunteering on a weekly basis is a big responsibility. Please make sure this is a good time in your life to make such a commitment.