Volunteering Information

As an integral part of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, volunteers offer an extra dimension of care and services to patients, families, and visitors, as well as supportive services to the staff. Volunteers’ selfless contributions of time and energy help make the hospital stay brighter, more comfortable, less intimidating and a lot less lonely for some. Volunteers also are there to comfort the loved one of patients during emergencies and make them feel at ease during surgical procedures.

Volunteers are a very special group of people from all walks of life but are connected by one common thread, a desire to share their talents, compassion, and dedication. Their personal rewards are intangible, expectations of recognition modest, yet hundreds of volunteers find fulfillment, practical work experience and companionship within Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

• Commit to a minimum 150 hours of service
• Provide 2 letters of reference

• Commit to a minimum 100 hours of service
• Provide 1 letter of reference

There are many departments and programs at Jamaica Hospital where volunteers are assigned to carry out their service. The list below will give you a small window into some areas and show the diversity of available volunteer opportunities. Assignments may involve indirect patient / client contact, and others that are focused on clerical support. Assignments are available depending on department or program specific needs at any given time. Therefore, qualified volunteers are being sought for the following activities:

Volunteers provide non-medical information to family and friends of surgical patients. They act as a liaison between family/escorts and staff and must be able to provide information in a professional and compassionate manner. Strong communication and customer service skills are required. Training will be provided.

Available Monday to Friday between 9:00 am- 5:00 pm

This program seeks to reduce the sense of isolation in the hospital. To provide patients with compassionate and attentive care; thus, providing a comforting presence. Volunteers are responsible for provide a comforting presence to patient, read book or magazine to patient, engage patient in conversation when appropriative, and simply sit with patients be a listening ear. Training will be provided.

Available daily with flexible hours.

Volunteers provide a wide range of clerical support for departments throughout the medical center. Duties include filing, faxing, answering phones, data entry and typing.

Available Monday to Saturday between 9:00 am- 5:00 pm.

Volunteers assist patients and staff in the Emergency Department. They provide patients with compassionate and attentive care; thus, providing a comforting presence, serve as an ED ambassador providing comfort care to patients by supplying them with pillows, blankets, water, or as per patient’s request and perform clerical functions.

Available daily with flexible hours.

Volunteers interested in these fields assist patients and staff.

Available Monday to Friday between 9:00 am- 4:00 pm

Volunteers provide assistance on patient units. Responsible for assisting nursing staff and patients, transporting supplies, assisting with Cup of Kindness (between 2pm- 4pm), answer call bells, perform clerical tasks, and other duties as deemed necessary and appropriate.

Available daily with flexible hours.

Volunteers provide a wide range of clerical support for departments throughout the medical center. Duties include filing, faxing, answering phones, data entry and typing.  Computer is helpful but not required.

Available Monday to Saturday between 9:00 am- 4:00 pm.

Volunteers serve as a liaison between the staff and the patient and the patient’s family/escort, providing guidance and direction throughout the various locations. Volunteers will greet patients and/or visitors upon arrival at each location. Hold door for people needing help, patients being discharged. Direct patients and visitors to proper locations and when necessary, guide visitors/patients to location- walking.
REQUIREMENTS: Volunteers must be mature, compassionate, empathetic, and have strong interpersonal and communications ability. Bilingual in English and Bengali, French Creole, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish is a plus.

Available between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday