Weill Cornell Medical Center
NewYork-Presbyterian/
Volunteer Opportunities
The NYP Guide Program
The NYP Guide Program is designed to reduce confusion and help individuals as they navigate through the hospital. Volunteers may guide patients or visitors by walking with them to the area of the hospital that they wish to visit. If you like to give directions and put a smile on someone's face, this program is for you! Training provided. This position requires standing for long periods of time and greeting patients and guests. Must be 16 years of age or older.
Daily, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Clerical Volunteers
Volunteers play an important role in assisting in the efficient function of our hospital departments. Tasks include filing, faxing, answering phones, data entry, and typing. Knowledge of the computer is helpful but not required. Opportunities are available in different settings such as the main hospital, and in clinical and medical practices. Must be 16 years of age or older to volunteer.
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Patient Care Units
Patient Services Administration (PSA) Volunteer Program
Volunteers work with the PSA Representative to provide high-quality patient care that’s safe, consistent, and compassionate. Responsibilities may include using innovative technology to survey patients at bedside to obtain feedback in real-time. Ideal candidates should be compassionate, empathic, and tech-savvy. Program available in the following settings: General Medicine, Surgical Units, and Oncology. Must be 18 years of age or older to volunteer.
Cardiac Care Units
Volunteers work directly with patients of all ages affected by various cardiac conditions. The main component of the program is to provide emotional support and basic assistance with daily activities. Tasks include: friendly visits with patients, ambulation and mealtime assistance, general and recreational assistance, interacting and engaging with patient visitors, assisting clinical staff in general duties on units. Must be 16 years of age or older.
Daily, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Geriatric Unit
In this unique role on the Acute Care for Elders unit, volunteers are trained to assist the care team with meeting goals and offer a sense of continuity to patients and families. Volunteers provide companionship, therapeutic activities, and conversation to socially and mentally stimulate patients. Volunteers may also help with patient mobilization and meal assistance by providing encouragement and helping with tray set-up. Must be 18 years of age or older.
Daily, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
General Medical/Surgical Units
Volunteers on these units assist adult patient populations who are receiving pre- and post-operative care or treatment for a variety of ongoing medical conditions. Tasks may include: friendly visits with patients, ambulation and mealtime assistance, general and recreational assistance, interacting and engaging with patient visitors, assisting clinical staff in general duties on units. Must be 18 years of age or older.
Daily, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Renal Disease and Transplant
Volunteers on this unit help support patients who have renal disease or who have undergone a kidney or liver transplant. The main function of the volunteer is to show compassion and offer emotional support by engaging patients in conversation, companionship, mealtime assistance, answering call bells, and relaying patient requests to the clinical team when needed. Must be 18 years or older.
Daily, 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Outpatient Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy
In this role, volunteers will assist occupational or physical therapists with assigned tasks and help create a positive experience for our patients. Volunteers may help with patient activities, perform clerical roles, prep or clean treatment areas, and provide or store linens for patient use. Must be 18 years of age or older to volunteer.
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Child Life (Pediatrics)
As a Child Life volunteer, you can help ease the fears of children facing hospital stays by offering support and guidance to them and their families. Volunteers assist staff in one of the many therapeutic playrooms, at the bedside in the hospital, or in other outpatient areas. Volunteers work with children and adolescents on activities such as arts and crafts, writing, reading, helping with schoolwork and playing games. Experience working with or volunteering with children is preferred. Must be 18 years of age or older.
Daily, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Limited evening and weekend opportunities available
Pediatric Emergency Department
Volunteers in the pediatric emergency department offer their support and guidance to children and their families as they wait for treatment. As a volunteer, you’ll engage children and adolescents in conversation and activities and assist in keeping the toys clean and disinfected. Experience working or volunteering with children is preferred. Must be 18 years of age or older and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
Daily, 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Emergency Department (ED)
Emergency department volunteers offer social and emotional support to patients and their families. Through communication, companionship, and problem-solving techniques, volunteers can bring warmth and reassurance to a patient’s experience in the fast-paced environment of the ED, which can often feel stressful or intimidating. Must be 18 years of age or older.
Daily program, all hours. Limited shifts.
Surgical Units
Volunteers work directly with patients of all ages on fast-paced post-surgical units. The main component of the program is to provide emotional support and basic assistance with activities of daily living. Tasks include: friendly visits with patients, ambulation and mealtime assistance, general and recreational assistance, interacting and engaging with patient visitors, assisting clinical staff in general duties on units. Units available: Post-Surgical Stepdown and Ortho/Vascular. Must be 18 years of age or older.
Daily, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Neurology
Volunteers work directly with adult patients afflicted with various neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis, strokes, epilepsy, migraines, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and brain tumors. The main component of the program is to provide emotional support and basic assistance with daily activities. Tasks include friendly visits, acting as liaisons for patients, mealtime assistance, and conducting recreational activities. Must be 18 years of age or older.
Daily, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Outpatient Infusion Center
Infusion Center patients often experience a long wait time and may be dealing with anxiety and stress related to their illness. Volunteers assist by helping to manage patient flow, distributing lunch, providing recreational activities as needed, and giving compassionate support to patients while they are waiting in the waiting room and treatment area. Must be 19 years of age or older.
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Patient Transport
Volunteers can partner with our hospital Patient Transport staff by helping to escort patients throughout various areas of the hospital and at the point of discharge. Volunteers are essential in providing valuable support to the patients and their visitors through positive and friendly interactions. Must be 16 years of age or older.
Daily, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Inpatient Rehab Unit
Volunteers on the inpatient rehab unit offer social/
Monday to Saturday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Surgical Waiting Room Liaison
Volunteers act as a liaison between staff and family members in the waiting, keeping families informed of patient status and relaying information in a professional and compassionate manner. Volunteers may accompany family members to the recovery room to visit the patient following surgery. Strong communication and customer service skills are required. Must be 18 years of age or older.
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Comfort Zone
The Comfort Zone provides a special quiet zone for adult family members to “recharge” as they wait for news of a loved one in surgery or other procedures. Comfort Zone volunteers offer a listening ear and educational materials. Must be 18 years of age or older.
Monday through Friday, 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Food and Nutrition Opportunities
Our Food and Nutrition team utilizes volunteers in a variety of areas throughout the hospital. Volunteers may assist on our Amenities Unit and pantry, partnering with staff in daily set up and kitchen inventory preparations. Must be 18 years of age or older.
Available daily with flexible hours
Psycho-social Rehabilitation
This volunteer role involves leading or co-leading groups or activities such as exercise, yoga, meditation, bingo, arts and crafts, ice cream socials, religious celebrations, and musical performances in collaboration with the psycho-social rehabilitation staff. This unit, located on Greenberg 11N, is a 32-bed acute-care psychiatric unit, including 12 patients with medical co-morbidities. Patients vary in age from 18 to 90 plus and have a range of psychiatric disorders. Must be 18 years of age or older.
Monday or Tuesday Evenings, & Weekends 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Hospital Elder Life Program Volunteer
Volunteers will visit patients who are enrolled in the program to: 1) provide support and communication, 2) provide therapeutic activities (e.g., reminiscence therapy, current events, trivia, etc.) for cognitive and social stimulation, 3) assist with patient mobilization by accompanying ambulatory patients on walks and/or leading range of motion exercises, and 4) assist patients with meals and feeding by providing encouragement, helping with tray set-up, and feeding patients who are unable to feed themselves. Must be 18 years of age or older.
Available 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM