Volunteer opportunities
Volunteers are valuable members of the hospital’s team, as they offer comfort and cheer to those who are hospitalized. As a volunteer at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, you can learn more about our world-class services, gain valuable experience and make long-lasting friendships.
Our volunteer opportunities can be customized to meet your needs and fit your schedule. We offer volunteer opportunities in both clinical and non-clinical settings. In addition, all hospital volunteers receive training from hospital staff to prepare for their positions. Even if you’re not sure how you may fit in, we can help you choose an opportunity based on your background and experience.
Current volunteer opportunities (additional ones may exist):
- Clerical assignments
- Departmental liaisons
- Emergency department liaison
- Gift shop
- Palliative care
- Patient and family ambassadors
- Pet therapy
- Programs in Zucker Hillside Hospital (primarily for psychology majors)
- Reception/lobby ambassadors
- Surgical waiting room
- Summer Junior Program (ages 14-17)
- Volunteer coaches (training provided)
Programs overview
Availability of assignments will vary depending on the needs of a particular department or program at any given time.
The Plan of Care
This program is a quality improvement intervention aimed at enhancing patient satisfaction in the emergency department. Volunteers serve as a liaison between the patient and their care team to strengthen patient-provider communication and to ensure patients have a better understanding of their care plan.
The Serenity Caregiver Program
This complimentary program at Long Island Jewish Medical Center is dedicated to the support and well-being of family caregivers. It offers emotional support from a patient experience specialist. Our caregivers are provided with community resources and a safe environment to connect with other caregivers. Training is provided to our volunteer coaches.
Pet Therapy
This program allows volunteers whose dogs are qualified with an approved therapy dog organization to engage with patients and staff throughout the hospital. Volunteers must be 18 or older to participate and able to commit to a weekly visit. Volunteers are onboarded as needed.
Gift shop
Volunteers greet and assist customers in our busy gift shop. They also maintain and organize the store and perform sales transactions. Volunteers must have attention to detail with excellent customer service and organizational skills. Minimum age requirement is 18 years old. This opportunity is available Monday through Friday between 10am and 5pm.
Clerical volunteers
These volunteers assist office staff with clerical duties including filing, faxing, answering phones, running errands and greeting visitors. Strong customer service skills are required and knowledge of Microsoft Word is preferred. Minimum age requirement is 14 years old. This opportunity is available Monday through Friday between 9am and 5pm.
Feinstein Research Program
The Feinstein Institutes are the research arm of Northwell Health. They offer several opportunities in the summer and throughout the year for high school and college students. Visit Summer student internship programs for more information.
Summer Junior Volunteer Program
- Summer volunteers (age 14-17) will be assigned clerical/greeter roles within the hospital. They are expected to volunteer a minimum of 100 hours during the course of the program.
- Summer applications are accepted between February 1 and February 15. Any applications received before or after the application period will not be considered.
- Summer volunteers must commit to volunteering four (4) shifts per week for four (4) consecutive weeks. (Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3:30pm.)
- We will contact you via email in mid-March only if you are invited for an interview.
- Junior volunteers will be asked to attend a mandatory orientation and provide:
- Working papers
- Letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor or teacher
- Medical clearance
- Parental consent form
To apply or for more information, contact the Volunteer Department at (718/516) 470-7092 or email [email protected].
Volunteering requirements
Volunteers should be caring, compassionate and committed to making a difference in patients' lives. This is an opportunity to use your unique talents and skills to provide a meaningful and satisfying experience while gaining valuable exposure to the health care industry.
Requirements:
- Minimum age to volunteer at Long Island Jewish Medical Center is 14.
- Minimum age to volunteer at Zucker Hillside Hospital is 17.
- Applicants must be interviewed. If accepted, there is a six-month probationary period.
- Junior volunteers (ages 14-17) must also submit working papers and a letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor or teacher.
- Volunteers must meet the standards of patient- and family-centered care: professional, courteous, compassionate and respectful.
- Applicants must attend a mandatory volunteer orientation, receive medical clearance and those 18 and older must complete and clear a background screening before they can begin their assignment.
- There is a 100-hour commitment per calendar year.
We cannot guarantee employment. Please consult Northwell Health Careers for more information about job opportunities.
To apply, please complete the application and email [email protected]. If placement is available, you will be contacted for an in-person interview. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm.
Frequently asked questions
What is the time commitment for an adult volunteer?
The minimum time commitment is three to four hours a week for a total of one year (or 100 hours of service). You must be able to commit to coming in on a weekly basis, same day/time. Adult volunteers are accepted on an ongoing basis.
How old must I be?
The minimum age for adult volunteers is 18. The minimum age to volunteer in the summer junior program is 14. If you are under 18, it is mandatory that your parent or legal guardian sign your application. However, all communication should be made by the applicant only, not a parent or guardian.
What is the process for an adult volunteer?
Once your application is received, it is reviewed and assessed. If you qualify and if we have an opening for the time, day and program you are interested in, you will be contacted for an interview. Only potential candidates will be notified.
After the interview, you will need to make an appointment with your health care provider and obtain medical clearance before you can begin volunteering. You will also need to attend a two-hour volunteer services orientation. For those 18 and older, we require a Social Security number in order to complete a criminal background and child abuse registry check. Once these steps are completed, you will schedule an appointment to pick up your ID and volunteer uniform—and you are ready to begin.
How long does it take to be processed?
Once you have been interviewed, it usually takes four to six weeks to be completely processed and ready to volunteer.
Is there a dress code?
Yes. All volunteers will be given a polo shirt or jacket and are required to wear khaki or black slacks and closed shoes while volunteering. Volunteers are not allowed to wear jeans, sweatpants, sweatshirts, leggings, shorts, athletic wear, T-shirts, sandals, baseball caps or open toe shoes.
Can I volunteer just for the summer?
Only junior volunteers (age 14-17) can volunteer during the summer months. Summer junior volunteers must commit to the four-week program in July. Summer applications are accepted February 1 through February 15, and you must complete the medical clearance process no later than May 15. The two-hour orientation will be held on the first day of the program. If you are not available to volunteer for the entire four-week duration of the summer program, please do not apply. There are no allowances for vacation time.
If I volunteer, will I get a job at the hospital?
Volunteering at the hospital does not guarantee employment. Please consult Northwell Health Careers for more information about job opportunities.
Organ donation
When you become an organ donor, you donate life. Consider these facts from the New York Organ Donor Network (NYODN):
- More than 120,000 people nationwide are on the national waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant, including approximately 10,000 New Yorkers.
- Every 10 minutes, another person is added to the list.
- A single donor can save the lives of eight people through organ donation and improve the lives of up to 50 others with tissue donation.
Types of tissue and organ donation include:
- Organ donation: The donation of an organ from an individual who has been declared brain dead. The organs are transplanted into individuals based on need through a national waiting list.
- Tissue donation: The donation of tissue (bone, eyes, fascia, heart valves and vessels) from an individual who has suffered cardiac or brain death.
- Living donation: The donation of organs from a living donor to an individual with a matching blood and/or tissue type.
- Consent for donation: An approval from the family of an organ or tissue donor to donate tissue and/or organs. Even if a patient has signed a donor card, the family still needs to consent.
Long Island Jewish Medical Center works with NYODN to facilitate tissue and organ transplants. Here are some ways that we’re helping improve donation rates in our region:
- We are a member of the Health Resource and Service Administration’s (HRSA) Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative.
- Through our Service Improvement Coordinating Group for Donation, representatives from all Northwell Health hospitals meet bimonthly to share best practices in organ and tissue donation.
- Long Island Jewish Medical Center formed a donor council, a hospital-based group that is committed to donation initiatives.
- We provide ongoing education for physicians, nurses, ancillary hospital staff and the community about tissue and organ donation.
