Adult Volunteers

Volunteer positions include:

Patient Companion – Complex Care:  Patients in Complex Care, ranging in age from birth to 20, receive medical, nursing and respiratory care, rehabilitative therapies and education.  Volunteers serving as Patient Companions spend time with patients of all ages, with the goal of providing engaging activities, physical comfort, and joy.  Volunteers are scheduled in shifts from 9:00-11:00, 2:00-4:00, 4:00-6:00 and 6:00-8:00, every day of the week.  Volunteers in this role must be at least 17 years old and commit to serving one shift each week for six months.

Patient Companion – PMRU and Patient Bed Tower:  Patient Companions in the Pediatric Medical Rehabilitation Unit (PMRU) and Patient Bed Tower provide entertainment and companionship to patients recovering from traumatic accidents or serious illnesses.  Volunteers play board games or video games, facilitate small group activities, and read books to patients at bedside.  Volunteers are scheduled in shifts from 4:00-6:00 and 6:00-8:00, Mondays through Fridays, and between 10:00-8:00 on weekends.  Volunteers in this role must be at least 17 years old and commit to serving one shift each week for six months.

Play While You Wait:  Aiming to transform the waiting room experience to a fun, anxiety-free environment, Play While You Wait volunteers provide engaging activities, such as crafts, games, and puzzles to patients and siblings in Outpatient Services.  Volunteers are scheduled in shifts from 9:00-11:00, 1:00-3:00 and 3:00-4:30, Monday through Friday.  An activity cart stocked with games, puzzles, crafts and books is provided.  Volunteers in this role must be at least 17 years old and must commit to serving one shift each week for a 15-week period.

Special Education Classroom Volunteers:  Volunteers assist in each of the Hospital’s six special education classrooms, assisting patients with language activities, music therapy sessions, craft projects and more.  Classrooms are led by certified special education teachers who provide training and oversight to volunteers.  Classes last one hour and occur between 9:00-12:00 and 2:00-4:00, Monday through Friday. Volunteers in this role must be at least 17 years old and must commit to serving one two-hour shift each week for a 15-week period.

Therapy Gym Volunteers:  The therapy gym volunteer program is open to college students who are currently pursuing degrees in physical, occupational or speech therapy, music therapy or recreation therapy.  Volunteers facilitate one-on-one or small group activities for patients as they await therapy sessions in the Hospital’s largest inpatient therapy gym, and sanitize and organize therapy equipment.  Volunteers must first serve 10 hours in another area of the Hospital to be eligible for this program, and must commit to one two-hour shift for a 15-week period.  Shifts are scheduled from 9:00-11:00 and 2:00-4:00, Monday through Friday.

Respiratory Therapy Volunteers:  The Respiratory Therapy volunteer program is open to students currently enrolled in CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy programs. Volunteers assist Respiratory Therapy staff with equipment management, distribution, and storage.  Volunteers must commit to serving one two-hour shift each week for a 15-week period. Shifts are scheduled based on the availability of volunteers, and the needs of Hospital staff.

Speech-Language Pathology Volunteers:  The speech-language pathology volunteer program is open to college or graduate students who are currently pursuing degrees related to the field of speech-language pathology.  Under the supervision of the Hospital’s speech-language pathologists, volunteers assist with tasks and projects such as making age-appropriate therapy materials and activities, sanitizing toys and equipment, restocking supplies and replacing hearing aid batteries.  Volunteers must commit to serving one two-hour shift for a 12-week period.  Shifts are scheduled from 9:00-11:00, Monday through Friday, and 2:00-4:00, Monday through Thursday.  Once volunteers have successfully completed 25 hours of service they may apply for a one-hour shadowing opportunity.