17 Best Hospital Volunteer Opportunities In NYC! (2022)

Hospital Volunteer Opportunities Near You / By

New York City (NYC) has some of the best hospital volunteer programs in the world.

From private auxiliaries to non-profits, hospitals to hospices, there’s a lot here for adults, college students, high school students, and anyone else interested in healthcare volunteering across NYC.

Take a look at the following programs and apply today.

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Before we get into the list of hospital volunteer programs in NYC, make sure you check out our other city guides and find more hospital volunteer opportunities near you.

List Of Opportunities For Medical/Hospital Volunteers In NYC

Bellevue Hospital Volunteers

Bellevue Hospital is part of the NYC Health + Hospitals group and the oldest public hospital in New York. Volunteers are active in all parts of the hospital, and opportunities are open to people of all ages.

Bellevue asks volunteers to commit six hours a week minimum and 3 months or more of service.

Opportunities exist across the following areas:

  • Nursing and medical areas
  • Programs for children
  • Non-patient care areas
  • Communication/interpreter services

Here’s a video from Dr. David P. Rapaport, volunteering at the hospital during the pandemic…

DETAILS

Calvary Hospital Volunteer

Calvary Hospital is a non-profit operating in the New York metropolitan area that takes volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.

Volunteers give up their time to sit with patients, write letters and read for them, provide companionship and help organize and run events.

Calvary Hospital has volunteer opportunities at both its Bronx and Brooklyn locations, as well as homes or nursing homes in Manhattan, Queens, Nassau, and Rockland.

Training is provided throughout the year and volunteers can call the Volunteer Coordinator at Hospice to schedule a meeting or to get more information.

DETAILS

Columbia University Department of Psychiatry Volunteer Services

The Volunteer Services program within the Columbia University Department of Psychiatry has opportunities for the general public across a range of volunteering duties.

Data management, clerical and admin responsibilities, and testing and interview observations are just some of the roles available.

See the website for more information.

DETAILS

Elmhurst Hospital Center Volunteers

Elmhurst Hospital, under the organization of NYC Health + Hospitals, has a vibrant hospital volunteer community made of students, seniors and working adults.

Although there are no roles that involve direct patient care, there are roles available across the following departments:

  • Admitting Department
  • Ambulatory Surgery
  • Ambassador Program (Meet, greet and assist patients and families)
  • Cancer Patient Support
  • Clerical
  • Emergency Department
  • Inpatient (Visiting patients and providing non-clinical support)
  • Outpatient (Lobby rounds, clerical support, stock supplies)
  • Patient Advocacy
  • Patient Transport
  • Pharmacy Department
  • Physical & Occupational Therapy
  • Radiology Transport
  • Special Programs (Healthy Outlook & After School Programs)
  • Spiritual Care Department

Volunteers must be 16 or over and able to commit a minimum four hours a week for a total of 100 volunteer hours.

There is also a Summer High School Student Volunteer Program (ages 14 and above) running from July to mid-August.

DETAILS

Harlem Hospital Center Volunteers

Harlem Hospital, under the organization of NYC Health + Hospitals, receives hundreds of volunteers each year.

Although there are no positions involving direct patient care, hospital volunteer roles are available across most departments in a variety of roles.

Volunteers must be 16 or over and commit to a weekly schedule and a minimum of 150 hours and six months of service.

Here’s the story of a nurse, Anna Wilkinson, who volunteered at Harlem Hospital Center…

DETAILS

Lenox Hill Hospital Volunteer Services

Lenox Hill Hospital suspended volunteer opportunities during the pandemic but is well worth checking in with.

Offering more than 150 adult volunteer placement opportunities in medical and support areas, their Auxiliary organization has been running for more than 160 years.

Volunteering roles are available across:

  • Surgical waiting room: Communicate with families during their loved one’s surgery
  • Feeding program: Provide support to patients during their meals
  • Departmental liaisons: Assist staff within departments (e.g., emergency, ambulatory, cardiology) to meet patient needs
  • Reception ambassadors: Welcome patients and families as they enter the hospital
  • Art and jewelry therapy: Create art and jewelry at the bedside of patients 
  • Concierge Ambassador Program: Socialize with patients as they recover in the hospital

Lenox Hill asks for 100-hour commitments per year from its volunteers, with one four-hour shift per week the normal expectation.

Their Junior Volunteer Summer High School Program is a four-week commitment for juniors (15-17 years) to gain hands-on experience in nonclinical roles.

Short term shadowing opportunities are also offered (up to 75 hours).

DETAILS

Maimonides Medical Center Volunteers

Maimonides Medical Center has volunteer programs for high school volunteers (partnering with local high schools), Summer Youth Programs (taking up to 400 youth volunteers each year) and general adult and college volunteers.

The minimum volunteer commitment is two four-hour shifts per week with letters of recommendation (LOR’s) available for those committing 150 hours or more.

Hospital volunteer roles exist across various departments, including:

  • Emergency Department Volunteer Program
  • Hospitality Program
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Cuddler Program
  • Pediatric Volunteers

See the website for additional information.

DETAILS

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Volunteers

The Department of Volunteer Resources at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) organizes the participation of thousands of men, women, and young people as volunteers.

Volunteers have a range of duties at MSK including providing companionship, participating in their Caring Canines program or help running Art Expressions workshops.

Volunteers are of all ages; including high school students, seniors and adults wishing to give back to the community.

Here’s an insight into how hospital volunteering works at Memorial Sloan Kettering…

DETAILS

  • Name: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
  • Phone: 833-319-1577
  • Website: https://www.mskcc.org

Mount Sinai Volunteers NYC

Mount Sinai has always had volunteers at the heart of it’s mission.

Their programs include:

  • Patient-Related Volunteer Programs
  • Research Volunteer Programs
  • Administrative and Program Support

Additional roles are also available in the following areaas of creative arts, pet-assisted therapy, spiritual care, cancer-related programs and child and adolescent care.

Here’s a glimpse into how volunteering works there…

DETAILS

Montefiore Medical Center Volunteers

Montefiore Medical Center organizes 550 volunteers from across the New York metropolitan area to help make an integral difference in the lives of their patients.

People of all ages volunteer, with an average commitment of sessions twice a week. Montefiore asks for at least 200 hours of service over a six-month period, and, for students, 100 hours during a summer term.

Volunteers must be 16 years or over and be willing to undergo screening and training.

Here’s a little about their mission and community commitments…

DETAILS

New York Community Hospital Volunteers

Brookyln’s New York Community Hospital has a wide array of educational programs, support groups, health screenings and other informative, helpful programs for patients and community members alike.

Volunteers are an important part of their team, participating in activities like delivering flowers to a patient’s room, helping visitors find their way in the hospital or lending a hand wherever needed.

DETAILS

  • Name: New York Community Hospital
  • Location: 2525 Kings Hwy, Brooklyn, NY 11229
  • Phone: 718-692-8757
  • Website: https://nych.com

New York Ear and Eye Hospital Volunteers

New York Eye and Ear Infirmary really appreciates volunteers to help make for a comfortable hospital experience for its patients and their families.

Hospital volunteer roles exist across:

  • Admitting
  • Glaucoma
  • Clinics
  • Human Resources
  • Lobby Ambassador
  • Nursing Administration
  • Ophthalmology
  • Otolaryngology
  • OR/Recovery Room/PACU
  • Registration
  • Social Services

Volunteers assist staff, provide administrative support and more.

Volunteers range in age from high school students to retired seniors.

DETAILS

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Volunteer

Volunteers are a vital part of NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP) with more than 5,000 volunteers each year currently serving across ten locations.

Volunteers come from unique backgrounds and are asked for a minimum of one consecutive four hour period a week with a minimum 150 hour commitment.

Their are a variety of roles to suit interests, abilities and schedules. Direct patient interaction is available.

NYP’s Summer Volunteering program is a popular choice with high school students looking to commit to 8-10 consecutive weeks of volunteering.

DETAILS

  • Name: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
  • Location: 630 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032
  • Phone:  (212) 305-2500
  • Website: https://www.nyp.org

NYU Hospital for Special Surgery Volunteers

NYC’s Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) has varying hospital volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Roles include offering time to the Patient’s Library and providing reading comfort to patients as well as department-specific volunteering helping in liasion and staff support.

Past volunteers have gone on to repeat experience, volunteering in lab research and more.

See the website for details.

DETAILS

NYU Langone Health Volunteers

NYU Langone Health has volunteering opportunities at several locations, including:

  • Tisch Hospital, Kimmel Pavilion, Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital—34th Street
  • NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital 
  • NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn

Roles at various locations include duties like greeting and guest services, child life volunteer assisting, emergency and immediate care department comforters and animal-assisted therapy programs.

Summer programs are available for high school students and younger applicants aged 16 or older who can dedicate 120 hours service.

Here’s an insight into the power volunteering has had at NYU Langone…

DETAILS

The Brooklyn Hospital Center Volunteers

The Brooklyn Hospital Center welcomes volunteers of all ages to help support its various hospital departments and outpatient centers.

Volunteers should be 16 and over and willing to attend orientation sessions and backgrouund checks.

Opportunities exist to match preferences and skills.

Reach out to the contacts below to find out more.

DETAILS

White Plains Hospital Volunteers

Westchester-based White Plains Hospital has a 500 strong volunteer corps that donate over 60,000 hours of time annually.

Programs exist for both adult and youth volunteers across a range of roles including customer service and sales, gift shop volunteers, and assisting hospital staff.

Volunteers must be aged 16 or over.

DETAILS

Summary

NYC has some of the best health volunteering programs in the world.

Hopefully, this article has helped highlight some of the best programs to help you get started giving something back and learn more about what it’s like working in healthcare.

Found this article useful? You might find the following guide a good read:

Related Questions

Why Be A Hospital Volunteer In NYC?

Volunteering in hospitals and clinics can have a positive impact on the community.

The skills, connections, and friends you make in any of the roles above, are something that’ll stay with you for a long time.

The experience also looks great on applications for healthcare-related degrees and helps you impress any relevant admissions boards.

Can I Be A Baby Cuddler Volunteer In NYC?

There are baby cuddler volunteer opportunities at the following organizations:

  • Maimonides Medical Center
  • NYU Langone Health
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

You will have to match the eligibility criteria and undergo screening successfully before being accepted on to baby cuddler volunteer programs.

Who Are These Opportunities For?

These opportunities are broad and open to people from all backgrounds (unless otherwise stated).

Summer programs are generally for high school students looking to get a taste of healthcare fields while general volunteering positions are available to both students, professionals, and retirees.

Check that you meet the criteria and eligibility for each opportunity first before you spend your time applying.

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