Adult Volunteer Program
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Stanford Health Care!
Volunteers provide non-clinical assistance to patients, families, and
staff. They also provide information and resources throughout the
adult hospital and clinics. Individuals must be at least 18 years old
to be eligible. Students who are 18 years old and in High School are
eligible for the High School Program.
Time commitment
We require a continuous six month commitment comprised of 1 shift
per week (3-4 hour period), which equates to 100 hours within this
period. Some volunteer placements require a 1-year commitment due to
the training involved. Individual volunteers are scheduled for shifts
(on the same day and time) on a weekly basis; placements are assigned
for the 6-month period. Please consider your schedule, school, work,
family, etc. before making the commitment to volunteer.
In coordination with your availability, we try to accommodate your
interests and talents, while keeping in mind the needs of our health
care system. We do not place volunteers for internship, shadowing or
observing positions. Volunteer hours do not qualify as "clinical hours".
Volunteering with children
Please contact the Volunteer Services department at Stanford Children's
Hospital.
Volunteering in the East Bay
Please contact the Volunteer Services department at Stanford Valley
Care.
How do I become a volunteer?
Please submit an application online. Once we
review your completed application, we will contact you within a few
weeks. Next steps include the following:
- Group Interview: We schedule small group (3-5 individuals)
interviews to explain our program, requirements, expectations, and
roles within a 1 hour session. Individuals also provide information
about themselves including motivation, interests, and
availability.
- Online Curriculum: After attending the
group interview, individuals are emailed a link, user ID, and
password to access the curriculum for completion. This step can take
up to 6 hours.
- Background Check: Individuals over
the age of 18 must complete an online authorization for criminal
background check. The information will be provided after the group
interview.
- Health Screening (TB test / vaccines):
All perspective volunteers will need to bring their immunization
record, titers may be drawn and/or additional vaccination may be
needed.
- Volunteer Orientation: After the 3
requirements (above) are completed, individuals attend a 2-hour
orientation to review policies, C-I-CARE and additional program
information.
- ID Badge / Parking / Uniform / Logging
Hours: At orientation, information about picking up a badge, access
to parking, uniform, and logging volunteer hours are
discussed.
Placement and training – Following orientation, Volunteer Resources
will assign individuals to areas discussed during group interview
according to individuals' interest, availability, and the needs of the
organization. Placements are not guaranteed in specific areas.
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteers are placed in over 125 areas of the hospital and clinics.
Click on this link to access more information
about each of the opportunities. The opportunities are indicated by
location, then position.
Most volunteer opportunities include assisting patients and families
around the hospital and clinics; providing information and resources;
running errands; collecting wheelchairs; delivering goods to patient
rooms, etc. Positions are located at the main hospital and off-site
areas such as Blake Wilbur, Hoover Pavilion, Outpatient Cancer Center,
Redwood City Outpatient Clinics and Byers Eye Institute.