Volunteer Opportunities

While the required commitment varies depending on the assigned location, most volunteers report to their assignment once or twice a week for a 3-to-4-hour shift. Generally, we seek individuals willing to commit between 50 and 100 service hours during their term. Additionally, please let us know any requirements for outside parties, such as schools, so we will do our best to assign you to a location that can meet those requirements. We ask that volunteers have a genuine desire to be helpful and an understanding that reliability and consistency are key qualities.

At any Baptist Health facility, only licensed employees perform clinical duties. While never taking direct care, some volunteers may have patient interaction.

The volunteers are assigned according to the facility’s needs and the volunteer’s availability. However, if there are choices, the volunteers will be able to select the area they would like to be assigned to.

The onboarding process includes interviewing, orientation, tuberculin skin test and background check. Policies and benefits will be detailed during the orientation.

Benefits of being a Baptist Health volunteer include: free parking, complimentary meals/snacks (in most locations with cafeterias), volunteer recognition celebration and discounts on the medical bill for eligible volunteers.

Shadowing (or observation) opportunities are exclusively for students and entail closely observing professionals as they carry out their responsibilities within a department or other areas of the hospital. During this process, the individual shadowing does not actively engage in any tasks, and the time spent in the department is not credited as service hours. All inquiries regarding shadowing are managed by the “Baptist Health Academics” at https://academics.baptisthealth.net/student-and-visitor-programs/job-shadowing-and-externships/observer-program

Pet-assisted therapy programs have been shown to promote social interaction, and decrease both stress and anxiety levels, particularly in long-term patients. Owners with dogs can have the animal evaluated by an organization with an official training program for pet therapy. After a period of training, the dogs are tested to receive certification. Each organization charges a reasonable new member fee and annual fee, which covers their own insurance. Both the handler and dog must have completed a training program for pet therapy, and they form a “team” visiting the hospital once a week.