General information

Yale-New Haven Hospital
Volunteer Opportunities

Established in 1933, Yale-New Haven Hospital has one of the oldest organized hospital volunteer programs in the country. The hospital's 1,500 volunteers contribute more than 122,000 hours of service annually.

Energetic volunteers of all ages and skills are needed. Volunteers are generally asked to 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.

Youth Program

Youth volunteer opportunities are coordinated around the academic year making it possible for high school students to serve the New Haven community at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Students age 14 and older may earn valuable work experience and impact the lives of others by volunteering after school. A minimum of 60 hours is required.

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2009-2010 academic year program. Please contact us in August if you wish to receive information for the 2010-2011 academic year program.

During the summer, Yale-New Haven Hospital offers student placements in a variety of departments, lunch and learn sessions and social activities. This popular summer program requires students to commit to 12 hours each week. Space is limited - interested students are encouraged to apply early.

To receive information about our summer 2010 session, please complete this form or contact Volunteer Services, (203) 688-2297.

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.

In the summer, Volunteer Services offers exciting opportunities for college students who are able to volunteer for the summer months only. Many positions are available with direct patient contact or in patient support areas. Space is limited.

To receive information, please complete this form or contact Volunteer Services, (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 complete this form or contact Volunteer Services, (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 complete this form or contact Volunteer Services, (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.
• Snow drivers transport hospital personnel to and from the hospital during severe snow storms. A four-wheel drive vehicle and an exemplary driving record are required.

To receive information, please complete this form or contact Volunteer Services, (203) 688-2297.

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.

Parenting Support

The inevitable challenges of parenting can tough to face without the right resources. Parenting Support volunteers can help parents learn more about parenting and teach important skills to children from birth to 5 years old.

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®, contact Rene Visser, LCSW, (203) 688-8574.

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, contact Anita Bonilla, BSW, (203) 688-8165.

Nurturing Parent Group is a weekly parenting support group covering a wide range of parenting related topics. An educational children’s group for children birth to five years is held at the same time. This program meets for 24 weeks on Thursday evenings, 5:30-7:30 p.m. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Nurturing Parent Group, contact René Visser, LCSW, (203) 688-8474.

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 complete this form or contact Volunteer Services, (203) 688-2297.

Return to the YNHH general information page

Last revised: March 10, 2010 (dh) g

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.