Hospital Volunteering

A listing of hospital volunteering opportunities in the Greater Sacramento area.

Community Clinics

Locations

V Street Clinic
923 V Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 448-6553

Meadowview Clinic
2118 Meadowview Road
Sacramento, CA 95832
Phone: (916) 427-0368

Franklin Villa Clinic
35 Caselli Circle
Sacramento, CA 95823
Phone: (916) 393-4111

Las Palmas Clinic
577 Las Palmas
Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: (916) 924-6703

Contact Information

Marie Young: (916) 393-4861.

UCD Medical Center: Sports Medicine

Location

UC Davis Sports Medicine Program
2805 J Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95816

Contact

Gretchen Casazza, Ph.D., Exercise Physiologist, Director of Research and Volunteer Coordinator: (916-734-5632).

Volunteer Opportunities and Benefits

Typical day for a volunteer might begin by reviewing a client’s health history and medical chart, explaining the test procedures to the client, and performing resting measurements of body composition and cardiac and pulmonary function. Benefits include Academic credit, transcript notation, clinic opportunities, and research opportunities. If interested, email a cover letter and resume to: gretchen.casazza@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu This e-mail address is protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The cover letter should include the following: why you are interested in the UC Davis Sports Medicine Program, what personal characteristics would make you a great member of the team, what information, knowledge or experience you would like to gain from the program, you long-term career plans, research interests if any, time of availability, and what you might need. Your resume should include the following: name, address, telephone, and e-mail, educational information, relevant work experience, hobbies and interests, references.

Sutter Medical Center

Locations

• Sutter General Hospital: 2801 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95816, phone: 916-454-2222,
• Sutter Memorial Hospital: 5151 F Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, phone: 916-454-3333,
• Sutter Center for Psychiatry: 7700 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95826, phone: 916-386-3000.

Contact

John Bellin for additional information via smcvolunteerservices@sutterhealth.org This e-mail address is protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 916-733-8329. Applications can be filled out online.

Volunteer Requirements and Opportunities

Volunteers must possess the maturity, responsibility, and interpersonal skills to interact safely with patients, staff, and other volunteers in a complex organization. Volunteers must be able to see and hear well enough to communicate in person or on the telephone with ease. Volunteers should be able to speak English to be understood clearly. Volunteers need to have manual dexterity and be able to read to assist with paperwork and perform clerical tasks, independently. Volunteers must have strength and stamina to do errands between various hospital areas Volunteer Opportunities include Adult Acute Care/Nursing, Clinical Support Services, Non-Clinical Support Services, Women’s and Children’s services, and Emergency Department (Opportunities in the ER). For a complete list of opportunities and details visit the Sutter Volunteering Opportunities website.

Mercy San Juan

Location

6501 Coyle Ave
Carmichael, CA 95608

Contact

(916) 537-5298.

Mercy General

Location

4001 J St
Sacramento, CA 95819

Contact

• Mercy General Hospital Guild: (916) 731-7189,
• Mercy Volunteers: (916) 453-4559,
• Junior Volunteers: (916) 453-4822.

Volunteer Opportunities

Men and women ages 18 and older may join the Guild. Opportunities to volunteer include the Gift Shop, Information/Surgery Desk, Personnel Services, creating unique items to sell (with proceeds benefiting the hospital) and various other opportunities. The Guild also conducts fund-raisers to support patient care projects at Mercy General Hospital.

Adults who would like to give back to the community can volunteer in a variety of areas, including office support, Information Desk, Admitting, and other areas of interest. College students preparing for a medical career may volunteer in our Emergency Room or Nursing Units to observe professionals in the medical field.

Young men and women ages 14 to 18 (8th through 12th grade) may volunteer at the Oncology/Neurology floors, Med/Surg Units, Information Desk, Nursery and various other areas. We provide scholarship opportunities for volunteers who have met certain criteria and plan to pursue a career in healthcare.

UC Davis Medical Center

The greatest strength of the UC Davis Health System volunteer program lies in its approach to volunteerism. When you become a volunteer you join a team of caring professionals whose mission is to improve the health of the people in the community they serve. UC Davis Health System’s volunteer team is made up of men and women from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds, high school and college students, retirees, transitioning adults and working professionals.

We look forward to you joining our team!

Volunteers may serve in patient care clinics, inpatient units or in the area of services to patients and/or families. We try to match the interests of the volunteer to the health system’s needs. Our greatest time of need is weekdays, however, evening and weekend volunteer positions are available.
Services to patients and families.

The volunteer provides support by offering an extra level of assistance to patients. Depending on which area is selected, volunteer tasks may include, reading to children, providing patients with magazines and books, installing equipment, providing support to families waiting for patients in surgery, selling merchandise to visitors, staff and patients; providing information and assistance to the public, patients and staff; and helping staff to provide and maintain an atmosphere of reassurance, comfort, and caring.

Patient care clinics

The volunteer serves as a link between the patient and the staff to provide support, continuity of care and facilitate patient flow. This placement can also provide a learning experience for health care oriented volunteers who want a wide variety of experiences. Most placements are available Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm. Volunteer tasks may include assisting with direct patient care, clerical and psycho social support of the patients, preparing treatment areas, transporting patients, assisting and observing technicians, therapists, and nurses. Observation of treatment procedure and the interaction with staff provide an understanding of medical intervention and treatment.

Patient care services (inpatient units)

The volunteer assists patient care staff and functions as a team member in delivering care and service to patients. This includes, but is not limited to, direct patient care, clerical and psycho- social support of the patients on the unit. Most units have day, evening and weekend hours available. The volunteer becomes an active member of the multi-disciplinary team providing care for acutely ill, adult patients with various medical challenges. Nursing care at UC Davis Medical Center is science-based, technologically specialized and attuned to the human needs of individual patients and their families. Volunteers have the advantage at UC Davis Health System of working with nurses who are nationally recognized as some of the best in the nation. Placements are available weekdays, evenings and weekends.

Volunteer opportunities

Volunteer Services has several programs for various services and groups. All programs are designed to assist UC Davis Health System in its mission of education, research and public service. These programs add the extra dimension of sensitivity, support, friendliness and service that ease and brighten a patient’s hospital stay or clinic visit.

Community College/University Outreach Program

Volunteer Services works with local colleges, universities and career schools in providing volunteering onsite at the medical center and exploration for 1,000 students per year. Students volunteer in various areas, assisting staff while improving their knowledge of healthcare professions and gaining personal satisfaction from their volunteer experience. UC Davis students, please call Internship & Career at (530) 752-2823 for volunteer placement. Scholarships are awarded annually at local colleges and UCD. Check with the school’s scholarship office for requirements.

Volunteer requirements

• Volunteers must be at least 15 to volunteer.
• Contribute a 4 – 6 hour shift per week for at least a 4 month period.
• Attend a mandatory orientation meeting.
• Obtain a medical clearance, details given out at the orientation and can be obtained free of charge.
• Pay a one-time registration fee of $5.00.
• For the protection of our patients, provide information for a national criminal background check.
• See, hear and speak English well enough to satisfactorily converse with patients, visitors and hospital staff. See well enough to visually assess a patient’s condition or to read written material. Possess strength and stamina to remain active for extended periods of time and to be able to move a distance between floors and buildings. Body strength and mobility to assist in transporting patients, moving patients or supplies.

Frequently asked questions about volunteering

The first step is to fill out the volunteer application. After returning the application to us, you will receive a letter to schedule you for the next mandatory information session. The information sessions are held once a month, usually mid-week in the late afternoon.

What is the mandatory information session about?

At the information session you will receive information about UC Davis Health System volunteer requirements, infection control, confidentiality, hospital codes, medical legal guidelines and fire safety. Your photograph will, also be taken for your volunteer ID badge. UC Davis Health System recognizes the importance of providing a safe environment for patients, visitors, volunteers and employees. To ensure safety for all, UC Davis Health System is requiring background checks for all volunteers and employees over the age of 18.

How is my volunteer placement decided?

At the conclusion of the information session, you will be given an opportunity to sign up for a placement. It is very helpful to be aware of your scheduling conflicts and areas of interest for volunteering. Volunteer placements require a regular block of time every week.

How often do I have to volunteer?

The minimum requirement is four hours once a week for four months. Some of our departments require a minimum of six months. One or two areas ask for eight hours a week. Our hope is that you will continue beyond the minimum commitment.

What is the minimum age requirement?

Volunteers must be 15 to volunteer. High School students, age 15 or older, will be part of our VolunTeen program.

When can I start volunteering?

After meeting all volunteer requirements, a Volunteer ID badge is issued to volunteers. At that time volunteers can start volunteering in their assigned area. All volunteers are required to wear a Volunteer ID badge at all times.

Contact volunteer services

UC Davis Medical Center

2330½ Stockton Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95817

Phone: (916) 734-2401