Volunteer Opportunities

UVA Hospital Auxiliary

Numerous volunteer opportunities exist in support of the Auxiliary's work to benefit the hospital.  These include:

Ongoing Activities

Serving on the Board of Directors as a Committee Chair, a Liaison, Editor for the Auxiliary Newsletter, or on a committee.

Annual Events

Such as the "Lights of Love" holiday tree or Daffodil Day, which require both leaders and helpers

Seasonal

Gift Shop

The Auxiliary also runs the Hospital Lobby Gift Shop, which requires a good deal of volunteer support - regular shifts and special projects. The Gift Shop provides the main source of income for the programs, scholarships and special projects the Auxiliary supports.  The proceeds from sales in the Gift Shop benefit the Medical Center and it's patients.

Helping Patients

Crafters

knitters/crocheters/seamstresses/quilters/painters: A great opportunity for those who want to help from home!  Volunteers who knit or crochet baby caps, given to newborns.  Other volunteers sew layette items for babies, lap robes for seniors, or quilts for the children.  Please contact us in advance, 434-924-5251, to see if we can use your handmade items.

Flower & E-Card Delivery

Volunteers deliver florist arrangements to the patients' bedside, and may visit if the patient desires.  Flower Delivery can be combined with Wayfinding and/or e-card delivery for a full shift of customer service and walking.
Hours:  Monday - Friday:  Morning and afternoon shifts available.

Flowers for Patients

Volunteers arrange flowers donated by area Garden Clubs, and take them to patients who have none.  Small donated glass bottles are always needed to use as vases.  Please bring yours (labels removed) to Volunteer Services.
Hours:  Tuesday mornings; 9:00 - 11:30 AM

Hospitality Rounds

Calling on newly admitted patients in their rooms.  Hospitality Rounds Volunteers welcome patients and families to UVA, and describe available services and amenities.
Hours:  Shifts available Monday - Friday, 2:00 PM and evening.

Mail Delivery

Receiving mail from home can be the highlight of a patient's day, especially when a smiling volunteer delivers it to their bedside.  Sorting mail, e-cards, and packages for patients by floor and unit, and locating patients who have moved within the hospital are also part of this role. 
Hours:  Weekday mornings, 8:30 or 9:00 till done (usually 2 hours)

Mended Hearts

Mended Hearts Volunteers are heart patients or their caregivers/family members who have survived a life changing heart incident.  Volunteers talk with heart patients about what they may face including lifestyle changes, depression, recovery, and treatment.  Volunteers invite patients/families to become part of the Mended Hearts support group after they leave the hospital.  These visits can provide powerful encouragement for patients and their families.  Mended Hearts training is required before starting patient visits.
Hours:  Individually negotiated

Shopping Cart

Like working with a partner?  The cart for the Gift Shop on wheels, taking goodies, magazines, and supplies to visitors, staff and some patients.  The Shopping Cart serves the whole hospital.  Best done in pairs. 
Hours:  Monday - Saturday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, evenings before 8:00 PM

Assisting Children & Infants at UVA Children's Hospital

7 Acute, Pediatrics, University Hospital

Bedside visiting/pre-school classroom. Help staff lead educational and play activities for children.  Daytime volunteers are "cross trained" to ensure their time is well used.  In addition to group activities, volunteers may make bedside visits to read a story, play a game, or give parents a break.  Evening and weekend volunteers spend their time making bedside visits to pediatric patients and their families. 
Hours:  Daily, hours vary, between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM

Pediatric Bookworms

Reading aloud with young patients and their siblings in the Pediatric Clinic waiting room. Volunteers model book-sharing techniques for parents, showing them by example that reading aloud is fun for adults and children. 
Locations: Primary Care Center AND KCRC
Hours: Monday-Friday, Daytime hours vary

Kluge Children's Rehabilitation (KCRC)

• Bedside Visiting
• Horticulture Volunteer
• Dance Assistant and Yoga Assistant (seasonal)
• Swimming Assistant
• Special Events
• Welcome Greeter
• Pet Therapy

Part of the UVA Children's Hospital, KCRC provides comprehensive rehabilitation services for children, both inpatients and outpatients.  Volunteers assist in therapeutic activities, play activities, and support activities. 
Hours:  Daily, Hours vary by program, days and evenings.

Malcolm Cole Childcare Center

This center provides childcare for children of hospital staff. Volunteers will assist the childcare staff with playground supervision, reading stories, art & music activities, games, free play activities and feeding.
Hours:  Weekdays, mornings and afternoon shifts, individually negotiated

NICU Cuddler

Specially trained volunteers cuddle premature babies in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit.  Completion of Hepatitis B vaccine required.
Hours:  Daily, 3 hour shift individually arranged.

Pediatric Comedy Cart

At the Primary Care Center, located next door to University Hospital, volunteers  entertain children while they wait for weekly treatments and checkups, including chemotherapy. 
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM - Noon (Min. 2 hour shift) 

Pediatric Pet Therapy

Working through Therapy Dogs International, certified dogs and their handlers visit pediatric patients at KCRC and University Hospital.  Dogs must be certified before visiting the hospital.
Hours:  varies at the University Hospital and KCRC

Pinkie the Puppet

Volunteers meet at The Senior Center to sew "Pinkie the Puppet," and "Peter the Bear," which are given to pediatric patients. Receiving Pinkie or Peter can give a frightened child a lift.
Hours: Monday mornings starting around 10:00 AM (the Senior Center, Pepsi Place)

Welcome Greeter

Volunteers greet and assist outpatients and visitors to find their destination in the KCRC Children's Rehabilitation Center by directing to out-patient reception, locating patient treatment areas, or escorting to various areas of the facility. Training provided.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Helping Patients, Families, & Visitors

Driver, Patient Courtesy Shuttle

Help patients navigate across "the LINK" between University Hospital and the West Complex, driving a 3-passenger golf cart. A great sit-down job for someone interested in providing great customer service, and saving many steps for frail patients.  Must be a careful driver.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, 3 hour shift

Emergency Department Clinical

Assist staff and patients in the patient care area of the Emergency Department. Duties include stocking supplies and offering patient companionship once patient is stable, including hourly rounding.
Hours: Daily shifts: 9:00 AM-Noon, Noon-3:00 PM, 6:00-9:00 PM

Emergency Department Patient Representative

Volunteers staff the waiting room in the Emergency Department, supporting the families of patients receiving emergency treatment. Volunteers track patients' progress, facilitate communication with medical staff, direct families and patients to hospital and community resources, and offer support as families await news of their loved ones.  A busy location suitable for high-energy volunteers.
Hours: Daily, 3 hour shift, between 10:00 AM-1:00 AM

Cancer Center

• Clinics Hospitality           
• Flourish Boutique      
• Infusion Hospitality
• In-Patient Oncology/Stem Cell Unit
  
• Radiation Oncology        
• Wayfinding                           

The UVA Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for outpatients receiving cancer care.  Volunteers provide hospitality, empathic listening, and practical support.
Hours:  Daily, Hours vary by program, Monday-Friday

Gift Shop

The Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop in the main lobby offers flowers, balloons, stuffed animals, gift items, books & magazines, snack foods, toiletries and sundries. A happy place with lots of people contact. Volunteers run the cash register, stock items, and offer excellent customer service.    A great place to learn retail.  Training is provided.  Substitutes also needed.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM; 1:00-4:00 PM; 4:00 (5:00)-8:00 PM; Saturdays & Sundays, 9:00-1:00 and 1:00-5:00 PM

Hospitality House

The 62-bed Hospitality House provides close, low-cost lodging and companionship for patients and families far from home. Volunteers register new guests, show them to their rooms, help keep the Hospitality House running smoothly, and speak with guests as a friend. Hospitality House also has numerous opportunities for one-day events with guests.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00-1:00; 1:00-4:00 PM;4:00-7:00 PM; or one-day event      

Music For Healing

Soothing music can transform the busy hospital atmosphere and create a calm, relaxing environment. Volunteers who are pianists are invited to help create this feeling by playing the Hospital Lobby piano. Others who play more portable instruments are able to play in certain patient care areas. Audition required.  Currently the lobby is under construction so performing in the lobby is temporarily suspended.
Hours:  Individually arranged   

One Day Events

From time to time during the year volunteers are needed to assist at one-day events or short-term volunteer assignments.  Some examples of one-day events are: Daffodil Day, Walk for Kids, the Annual Memorial Service, Community Outreach Health Clinics, Lights of Love, Children's Hospital Memorial Service, Auxiliary Vendor Sales, and the Walk for Kids.  Let us know if you'd like to be notified of these when you apply to volunteer.

Surgical Family Lounge/Outpatient Surgery Center

The Family Lounge or Outpatient Surgery Center (two different locations) receive patients who are having surgery, and ensure communication with family while the surgery is happening.  Volunteers support patients and families through their day.  Substitutes are needed.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 5:45 AM-8:30 AM and 8:30 AM-3:00 PM

Transitional Care Center

Volunteer roles are in two areas, Administrative Support and Friendly Visiting.  This is our newest program located in Northridge Medical Park,  2965 Ivy Road (250 West) across from the Boar's Head Inn. 
Hours:  Daily, 3 hour shifts

Wayfinding

A customer service opportunity for those who like to walk!  Volunteers greet patients and families and walk with them to their first destination. Friendly, gregarious volunteers are desired for this role. Morning Wayfinding is combined with morning Flower Delivery.
Hours: Monday-Friday, hours and locations negotiable

International Assistance:

MERCI Program

The Medical Equipment Recovery of Clean Inventory program shares our abundance with others in the world who need medical supplies, while preventing unused items from going to the landfill. Volunteers in the MERCI program help to sort, pack, and prepare a large variety of clean surplus medical supplies from UVA operating rooms, clinics and units for redistribution to medically needy areas.
Hours: Thursdays only, between 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, shift negotiable

Other Ways To Help:

Administrative Support

Volunteers assist staff with general clerical duties, including filing, making up new charts, answering or returning phone calls, using basic computer skills and handling occasional deliveries. Areas requesting this support include Emergency Department and Volunteer Services, Department of Psychiatry among others.  Volunteers who prefer a sit-down job might enjoy this very helpful role.
Hours: Monday-Friday, between 9:00 AM-5:00 PM; shifts individually arranged

Miscellaneous

Individual volunteers perform many other services at the hospital. If you have a skill to offer or an interest that is not listed here, let us know! The Volunteer Services staff will work with you to determine whether your talent can be used at Medical Center.