We need and welcome energetic volunteers of all ages and skills. Volunteers generally give a minimum of four hours a week for at least six months. There are a variety of volunteer roles to fit individual time schedules, abilities and interests. Volunteers may work directly with patients or choose work behind-the-scenes.
Volunteer Programs at YNHH
Summer Youth Program 2012
Students interested in learning more about the healthcare field, giving back to their community and exploring possible career paths should apply for the 2012 Summer Youth Volunteer Program. Students must be 15 years old and able to commit to attending the entire seven-week session, which will start July 2 and end Aug. 17. There will be a mandatory all-day orientation session for accepted students on Saturday, June 16.
The Summer Youth Volunteer Program is very popular. Interested students are encouraged to apply early. If you are interested in applying for the Summer 2012 Youth Volunteer Program, please print the application linked below. After you have completed the application, please call the Volunteer Services Department at 203.688.2297 to schedule an interview.
2012 Summer Youth Volunteer Application
College Program
Yale-New Haven Hospital has a long history of collaboration with area colleges and universities. College students may participate in a variety of assignments and volunteer throughout the academic year. Students considering a career in health care will find volunteer experience to be helpful in solidifying career choices.
During the months of May-August, college students may participate in a special summer program requiring 50 hours over the course of 9 weeks in a variety of volunteer positions.
To receive information, please either fill out our Volunteer Information Request Form or contact Volunteer Services at 203.688.2297.
Community Volunteers
Non-student adult volunteers provide stability to the volunteer program throughout the year by assisting in many areas of the hospital. To receive information, please either fill out our Volunteer Information Request Form or contact Volunteer Services at 203.688.2297.
Current Positions
Guest Relations
- Ambassadors greet, escort or transport patients and visitors (by wheelchair) throughout the hospital.
- Atrium Gift Shop assistants help customers with purchases and keep the inventory up-to-date.
- Family Liaison Services provides information and support to families in the surgical family lounge.
- Information Desks welcome visitors, assist with directions and provide general information about the hospital to guests.
- WELL Tour Guides show expectant parents the hospital's facilities, services and admission procedures before the birth of a child. Evening shifts are available.
To receive information, please contact Volunteer Services at 203.688.2297.
Patient Support
Trying to understand and cope with the challenges that arise during a hospital stay can be difficult. Volunteers help patients and their families by attempting to make the experience as comfortable as possible for everyone.
- Book Cart volunteers visit patients with a cart of reading materials.
- Elder Horizons volunteers have the opportunity to interact with geriatric patients, days or evenings.
- Emergency Department volunteers support patients and families in the Emergency Departments, and also assist staff by running errands and helping with a variety of tasks. Volunteers are needed in both the adult and pediatric departments.
- Heart Center volunteers who have had experience as cardiology patients provide peer-to-peer support to patients facing surgery.
- Reiki volunteers are certified Reiki practitioners who provide this gentle, hands-on energy healing technique to patients.
To receive information, please contact Volunteer Services at 203.688.2297.
Other Information
Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven
Many volunteers are needed in Smilow Cancer Hospital. Ambassadors are needed to escort patients to various areas of the hospital. Accomplished pianists are sought to provide music in the hospital lobby, on the beautiful grand piano. Volunteers are needed in the Boutique to assist patients with selecting accessories. Navigators are needed in the outpatient treatment center to assist patients and their families on the first day of treatment.
FAMILYREAD® Group is a parent-child literacy program that brings together parents for a 10-week group experience of exploring reading and positive parenting through selected children's books. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Familyread®, please contact Melissa Rowe, LCSW, at 203.688.5996.
Nurturing Connections is a volunteer telephone support program for first-time mothers. English- and Spanish-speaking volunteers are encouraged to apply. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Nurturing Connections, please contact Anita Bonilla, BSW, at 203.688.8165.
Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital
While medical care is an essential part of any child's treatment, we believe the support our volunteers offer at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital to our patients and their families are an integral part of their care.
- Reach Out and Read volunteers read to children in busy outpatient areas, days only.
- Inpatient Unit volunteers interact with patients and families, providing age-appropriate activities.
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit volunteers support patients, families and staff.
- Pediatric Library volunteers offer pediatric patients a book from the library cart; volunteers retrieve and stock library books as needed.
- Sib Shop allows volunteers to interact with the brothers and sisters of pediatric patients, playing games and participating in activities.
To receive information, please contact Volunteer Services at 203.688.2297.