NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division

Overview

Volunteer Opportunities are available at New York-Presbyterian Westchester Division.

NewYork-Presbyterian Psychiatry delivers the best psychiatric care in New York and for 2012-2013 is ranked among the top five hospitals in the United States for psychiatry, according to U.S.News & World Report. We offer comprehensive and professional treatment in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The Department of Psychiatry features renowned experts who apply the latest information and the best traditions of compassionate medicine to the care of individuals suffering from mental illness and emotional problems.

General requirements:

Volunteers must be 18 years of age
Must commit to completing 120 hours of service
Must maintain a minimum of 4-6 hours per week

Clinical Inpatient Volunteering:

Clinical experiences are very beneficial to students/volunteers interested in a career or further study in the mental health field as well as nursing, medicine and social work. Placements are available in the following disciplines.

Adolescent
Children
Geriatrics
Substance Abuse
Schizophrenia
Borderline Personality Disorders
Women's Issues
Mood Disorders
Eating Disorders

Other Clinical areas include:

Evaluation Center: assist staff and patients in the hospital admitting process
Pet Therapy: In order to participate in the Pet Therapy program your dog must be trained and certified. Please contact George Berger (914) 263-5397 for more information before you apply for this position.
Pastoral Care: assist coordinator in meeting spiritual needs of patient, lead groups. Clinical Pastoral Education units (training) are preferred for this placement. Please call Reverend Lynn Mikulak (914) 997-8604 for more information before you apply for this position.
The Comfort Zone: offers a variety of work adjustment/vocational training opportunities to help patients reintegrate into the work force. This program is a valuable treatment intervention and enhances community re-entry. This is a fantastic opportunity for an art therapist, occupational or recreational therapist.

Non-Clinical Volunteering: (shifts available M-F 8am – 4pm)

Office Assistants: a wide range of various tasks, including, but not limited to: clerical work, filing, photocopying, phone, mailings, collating. Must be proficient in the latest software (i.e. Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel) Positions are in a wide range of offices, including Nursing, Social Work, and Health Information Management.
Storeroom: assist in shipping and receiving, stocking shelves, delivery of packages to various locations throughout hospital.
Cafeteria: set up, clean up of cafeteria area, basic food preparation.
Patient Education Department: assist with preparation of fact sheets, education materials, stocking EC, OPD, Marketing with materials for public display.
Pharmacy: assist technicians with basic pharmacy operations.
Gift Shop: cash register, sales assistance, stock shelves, interface with public.
Building Services: assist the crew with physical labor, set up/tear down etc.
The NYP Guide Program (Flexible shifts are available 7 days a week 8am-8pm). This is a program designed to reduce confusion that visitors have when navigating in the hospital. Volunteers help by navigating and at times 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. Position does require that volunteer be able to stand for a period of time greeting patients and guests.

CENTER FOR AUTISM AND DEVELOPING BRAIN

CADB is an outpatient program serving individuals across the lifespan and their families. Patients range in age from 18 months to 25+ years. Our services include comprehensive multidisciplinary (i.e., psychology, psychiatry, other medical, speech & language therapy, social work, occupational therapy and physical therapy) services in a single setting to address the needs of individuals living with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disorders of the brain. Volunteers should be: enthusiastic, friendly, good energy, and be willing to socialize and completely engage in activities. Experience and comfort interacting with children of various ages and ability levels is preferred.

CLERICAL: Administrative Volunteer: (Available weekdays anytime between 9AM - 5PM) - Volunteers will be working at the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain. Duties include filing, copying, running errands, answering phones, etc. Candidates should be mature, responsible and reliable, and have excellent communication and computer skills.
THERAPEUTIC: Social Skills Group Volunteer: (Available weekdays 3:30PM – 6:30PM) - Volunteers will work with age-matched peers actively participating in group play and social activities with persons diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Volunteers will be expected to actively participate in all activities and interact appropriately with the other participants. The main patient population is persons diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Candidates need to be friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic, and the ability to motivate and socialize with the patient participants. Experience and comfort interacting with children of various ages and ability levels is preferred.

Summer Pre-Career Practicum Volunteer Guidelines

This program is open to college undergraduates and recent graduate students interested in careers in psychology, nursing, psychosocial rehabilitation, social work, psychiatry, medicine, and hospital administration. This is a selective program that is limited to 40 students. Eligibility is determined by demonstrated academic ability and a required personal or telephone interview. Working directly with our patient population is also helpful in applying to graduate school.

Applications are only accepted between February 1 – April 30
In order to be considered for the Practicum, you MUST be able to commit to the complete seven-week program, (approx 30 hours per week) between the second week of June through the last week of July and you must have secure housing and transportation as they are not provided.

The practicum allows students the opportunity to volunteer on one of our in-patient units under the direct supervision of the registered nurse who is accountable and responsible for all nursing care given to patients. Students will assist the staff with the daily activities on the unit which include but are not limited to Performing observation checks, interacting with patient population on a one-to-one basis and in small group settings, providing companionship, engaging in communication, participating in therapeutic activities - group and single, attending some meetings and conferences, observing group sessions, Participating in and assisting with patient groups(may co-lead some groups), attending daily huddle, may occasionally attend rounds and/or treatment planning sessions, participating in new patient orientation and other duties as directed by the nursing staff.

To apply to the Summer Pre-Career Practicum please request an e-packet/application to: lat9002@nyp.org. Applications are available starting February 1 and the deadline to return all application is during the last week of April.

Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling:

If you are interested in applying for a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling Clinical Internship, please contact Lisa DeFelice-Fratto, EdM, LMHC, Senior Rehab Specialist at lid9007@nyp.org

For more information or questions about volunteering please contact:
Laurel A. Torres
Volunteer Coordinator
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
lat9002@nyp.org

Please Note: The minimum age for volunteering is 18. For all volunteer positions there are NO financial stipends provided. A physical exam and lab work is required as well as background screening. Our hospital medical clinic will do the exam and lab work at no cost to the volunteer Volunteers working in the Child or Adolescent division must complete the NY State Child Registry Form. For out-of-state applicants, there are no accommodations for housing or transportation. Students will have to secure their own arrangements.