Westchester Behavioral Health Center
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Westchester Behavioral Health, opened in 1894, is one of the world’s most advanced centers for psychiatric care. NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center, a 270-bed facility, serves children, adolescents, adults and the elderly with comprehensive outpatient, day treatment, partial hospitalization and inpatient services. In addition to clinical treatment, Westchester Behavioral Health is for interdisciplinary medical research and education through its academic affiliate, Weill Cornell Medicine. The Department of Psychiatry features renowned experts who apply the latest information and the best traditions of compassionate medicine to the care of individuals suffering from mental illness and emotional problems.
Volunteer Opportunities
Patient Care Units
A valuable experience for those interested in a career or further study in the mental health field as well as nursing, medicine and social work. Unit volunteers add an additional dimension of care and compassion to patients and their families. Under the supervision of the nursing staff, volunteers will assist with the daily activities in a clinical setting with patients of various psychiatric disorders. Responsibilities include providing assistance to patients, family members, and visitors and also helping the nursing and unit staff to put patients first. This includes visiting and talking with patients offering emotional support, satisfying nonclinical needs and assisting visitors on the unit.
Units available include:
- Children/Adolescents
- Schizophrenia
- Eating Disorders
- Substance Use Disorders
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Crisis Stabilization
- Self-Injurious Behavior
- Borderline Personality Disorders
- Psychotic Disorders
- Second Chance Program
- Mood Disorders
- Horizon (Orthodox Jewish Program)
- Women’s Program
Must be 18 years of age or older
Available daily, 7:00 AM-8:00 PM
Evaluation Center
The volunteer role in the Evaluation Center is to enhance the personal dimension of genuine concern and compassion to patients and their families. The volunteer reassures patients and their families that someone is concerned about their emotional and social needs and assists with their admission process. This has a significant impact on the individual's perception of the EC and hospital experience. The volunteer, through communication, companionship and the use of problem solving techniques, can change what might otherwise be perceived as an insensitive, impersonal environment, to one of compassion and genuine concern.
Must be 18 years of age or older
Available daily 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Center for Autism and Developing Brain (CADB)
Volunteers should be enthusiastic, friendly, good energy, and be willing to socialize and completely engage in activities. Experience and comfort interacting with children of various ages and ability levels is preferred. Volunteers will work with age-matched peers actively participating in group play and social activities with persons diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Volunteers will be expected to actively participate in all activities and interact appropriately with the other participants. The main patient population is persons diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
Must be 18 years of age or older
Available Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Clerical
Volunteer duties include filing, copying, running errands, answering phones, mailings, collating etc. Candidates should be mature, responsible and reliable, and have excellent communication and computer skills. Experience in Microsoft Office preferred. Positions are in a wide range of offices, including Nursing, Social Work, Outpatient department, Medical Records and Health Information Management.
Must be 18 years of age or older
Available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Food and Nutrition
Assist the staff with food preparation and maintaining kitchen cleanliness, deliveries and event set up. Volunteers will also assist with clerical and administrative duties.
Must be 18 years of age or older
Available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Patient Education Department
Assist with preparation of fact sheets, education materials, stocking EC, OPD, Marketing with materials for public display. Computer skills a must.
Must be 18 years of age or older
Available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Psychosocial Rehabilitation Department
The volunteer assists the staff by enhancing the quality of care for the individual patient. They receive work direction from the Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Specialist/Supervisor/Manager. Our goal is to provide a positive hospital experience for our patients and volunteers. Volunteers are to adhere to the hospital’s dress code as well as having their volunteer ID.
Must be 18 years of age or older
Available daily, 7:00 AM-8:00 PM