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Volunteer

Welcome to University Hospital Volunteer Services

Program overview:
We are so excited you’re interested in volunteering with us. Volunteers at The University Hospital NJ graciously provide their time and talents to serve our patients, their families, our staff, and the community. They work in a variety of areas to enhance the experiences of the patients and staff at the hospital. Some of the ways that they assist are by:

Supporting Our Patients:

  • Offer support to patients, families and visitors with their needs through the Blue Coat Program.
  • Shadow staff members in various departments (for college students only)
  • Volunteer in patient-care units.
  • Assist the Patient Transport Services department by escorting patients between various departments.
  • Distribute books, magazines, playing cards, crayons, and coloring books.
  • Participate in our Infant Cuddler Program.
  • Participate in our Pet Therapy Program (handler and pet are required to be certified).

Ultimately, our dedicated volunteers are providing the best experience for our patients and their loved ones.

Supporting Our Staff:

  • Administrative or clerical support tasks.
  • Support various business offices.
  • Provide support to non-clinical departments.
  • Assist in the Volunteer Services Office.
  • Assist with our Community Affairs Department with special events.

Type of Volunteers/Programs:

  • Administrative – provide support to a designated non-clinical department.
  • Blue Coat Crew – Assist patients and visitors with accessing care, transport patients to appointments, wayfinding.
  • Patient Experience Volunteers – patient facing, assigned to a unit, guest and patient services.
  • Community Volunteers – Assist the coordination of outreach/public health activities via Community Affairs or Population Health departments
  • Educational – Students seeking internships in healthcare.
  • Spiritual Care (adults only – certification required).
  • Emergency Medicine Research Assistants (invitation only).
  • CHAMP Volunteer Program – Caring helper and Advocate for Emergency Department patients.


General Volunteer Requirements:
Age: Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Volunteers under 18 years old are required to submit a parental consent form for both work and medical clearance.

Time Commitment: While additional hours are appreciated, volunteers are expected to commit to a minimum of 150 hours within a six-month period (at least 62 hours for our summer volunteer program). To maximize the impact of volunteer contributions, individuals should be available to dedicate at least six hours per week.

Screening Process: All volunteers (18+) are carefully screened, and background checked to ensure the safety and privacy of our patients. Volunteers must complete an application online and attend a 4-hour orientation/training program. In addition, volunteers must have the following:

  • Medical Clearance – including seasonal flu shot
  • Drug screening (Minors – parents must accompany child)
  • Online trainings and in person orientation

The Road to Volunteering:


1. Schedule an interview: Please CLICK HERE now to schedule an interview. All prospective volunteers are required to attend a virtual or telephone interview. Interviews are by appointment only.

2. Onboarding: Following the interview, if you are chosen for a volunteer position, you will receive an email containing the necessary requirements and detailed instructions for the onboarding process.

3. New Volunteer Orientation: Upon submission of all the required documentation, you will be registered to attend the New Volunteer Orientation (NVO). These sessions occur bi-weekly on Tuesdays at 1 pm and 6 pm on alternate weeks.

4. Clearance: Once you have attended the NVO, you will receive you volunteer uniform, lanyard and your ID badge.

Dress code:
We ask that all volunteers present a professional appearance, keeping their assigned uniforms neat and clean for every shift and keep their person properly groomed. Please note that some volunteer programs have specific dress codes.

Volunteer Attire:

  • Hospital-provided uniform
  • Closed-toe, rubber soled shoes. Sneakers acceptable
  • Volunteer I.D. badge, Lanyard at all times unless otherwise directed
  • NO: excessive jewelry, long/acrylic gel nails, body piercing or Uggs
  • NO: Jeans, shorts, open-toe shoes

The experience of volunteering comes with a great deal of responsibility and commitment. Your primary role is to always be helpful – we must also be courteous, dependable, punctual and maintain confidentiality. As we embark on this journey of interacting with new individuals, these qualities remain essential.

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” ~Elizabeth Andrew

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the high volume of volunteer applications that we receive, we regrettably are unable to grant service hours to every inquiry. After careful consideration, each applicant is selected based on both experience and placement opportunities/availability. Because of this, please understand that not all applicants will be selected and/or contacted to volunteer.

We look forward to working with you,
The University Hospital Volunteer Services Team

 

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