Volunteer Opportunities at Jefferson Hospital

Whether they are escorting a patient to a physical therapy session or offering a smile and a word of encouragement to a visiting family member, volunteers make a valuable contribution to the health care team at Jefferson Hospital. Their skills and energies complement the services provided to patients and visitors.

An ambitious group of adults as well as students (at least 16 years of age) from area middle and high schools comprise our army of volunteers. Adults and teens annually donate more than 100,000 hours of their time and talents to Jefferson Hospital.

Volunteers fill many roles within our organization and work in many of our departments. Some of the departments that you can volunteer with are listed at the bottom of this page along with job descriptions for volunteer roles within that area. All of our volunteers are expected to maintain patient confidentiality in all of their duties.

But volunteering isn't all about giving. Medical Center volunteers receive personal dividends in return for their countless hours of service. Volunteers learn new skills, make new friends and develop new interests while realizing that they're making a difference in other people's lives.

For more information, contact Volunteer Services at (412) 469-5885 or by email at: volunteer@jeffersonregional.com.

To become a volunteer, you can Apply Online or download and return the Volunteer Application (.pdf) form to:

Jefferson Hospital
Volunteer Services
PO Box 18119
Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0119

Volunteer opportunities

Auxiliary - Gift Cart

Circulate the gift cart on patient care units, offering patients and visitors the opportunity to purchase snacks, candy, magazines and soda. The Auxiliary of Jefferson Hospital is responsible for the management of the Gift Cart.

Emergency department

Serve as a liaison between family/friends and the Emergency Department staff, helping to reduce stress and anxiety, and the feeling of neglect often associated with a visit to the Emergency Department. Assist the staff in accomplishing certain non-medical tasks that promote the comfort and/or expeditious treatment of the patient.

General location - office support

Assist in one of the various departments throughout the medical center. Assignments include such things as organizing documents for filing, filing documents, sorting and stuffing envelopes for mailings, scanning documents for electronic storage, making copies, computer data entry for those volunteers with computer skills.

Guest Shoppe – Counter Guest Shoppe - cashiers

Provide food service, gift shopping, and cashier assistance.

Intensive Care Unit / Cardio Vascular Unit - reception area

Attend to the needs of families or friends of patients in the ICU or CVU reception area. Reduce stress and anxiety by serving as a liaison between family/friends and the ICU staff. Let visitors know when it is okay to enter unit for visit.

Jefferson Surgery Center and Short Stay Unit - reception area

Act as liaison for family members of patients by relaying messages from the operating room, recovery room and physicians. Reduce visitors’ stress and anxiety by serving as a liaison between them and the surgery center staff.

Jefferson Surgery Center and Short Stay Unit - patient area

Provide reassurance to patients who are anxious. Bring clothing, warm blankets, personal items, etc. to patients. When permitted by medical staff, provide refreshments to patients recovering after surgery.

Lobby - escort

Accompany visitors needing assistance finding departments or patient rooms throughout the facility. Provide wheelchair transport for discharge patient and individuals at the facility for outpatient services.

Mail room

Print electronic Get Well Cards for patients and deliver those along with cards received via US Mail to patients’ rooms.

Outpatient registration

Assist registration department by handing out numbers and directing pre-registered patients to their scheduled appointment.

Patient information desk

Provide directions for visitors to various departments throughout the hospital, answer incoming calls and transfer calls to patient rooms or departments. Inform visitors of visiting hours and restrictions.

Patient units - comfort aide

Enhance individualized care by providing one-on-one companionship to hospitalized patients. Activities may include reading aloud the newspaper, playing cards, or having a conversation with patients.

Patient units - patient representative

Meet with newly/recently admitted patients and provide them with information about the hospital, its services, and the Patient Representative Program. Assist in proactively addressing our patients’ comfort issues and need for information. Ensure patient awareness and understanding of their Rights and Responsibilities and procedure to follow in the event of a concern or complaint. Identify any Spiritual Care needs or requests.

Rehabilitation departments

Assist staff during therapy sessions by retrieving needed items, cleaning and putting away therapeutic supplies, counting repetitions for patients needing assistance, copying, filing, and other support functions for staff.

Spiritual care

Provide spiritual support by compassionately listening to patients or family members. Have open-hearted conversations about hope, gratitude, fear, connection and meaning. Provide a calm presence. If asked, share prayers and blessings.

Wig salon

Provide a positive environment in which patients can find ways to manage their hair loss related to treatments. Assist patients in selection of wigs according to their preference and the available styles.