The hospital program places volunteer ambassadors at Mount Sinai's entrances to greet patients, families and visitors, and offer directions and assistance. Ambassadors may accompany patients, families and visitors to destinations such as ambulatory clinics, radiology, patient rooms, and admissions. The intent of the program is to provide a friendly and welcoming environment in this large medical complex.

• Excellent opportunity for people who like to be on the move and be helpful
• Training and supervision provided
• Minimum age: 16
• Minimum hours: Three consecutive hours a week
• Times to volunteer: Monday through Friday, 6:30 A.M. to 6:30 P.M.

The Mount Sinai Breast Health Resource Program is dedicated to meeting the emotional and practical needs of women with breast cancer. Volunteers work with newly diagnosed patients and participate in monthly training and support meetings. Volunteers in the Patient-to-Patient program must be former breast cancer patients and at least one year post diagnosis. Clerical opportunities and special projects also exist at the program site for those interested volunteers who may not have had breast cancer. All volunteers on the service must have an interest in and sensitivity to patients with breast cancer.

• Excellent opportunity to be of service to those who are coping with a breast cancer diagnosis 
• Training and supervision provided
• Minimum age: 21
• Minimum hours: Four consecutive hours a week, 12 months minimum.
• Times to volunteer: Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.

The Child Life Program helps infants, children and adolescents cope with illness and hospitalization by offering therapeutic activities tailored to meet their social, emotional and educational needs. Volunteers assist Child Life specialists who are trained in child development, special education and expressive therapies (art, dance, music). Child Life Volunteers help staff the play rooms and bring play and art materials to the bedside. Volunteers may also read with children. Volunteers must have an interest in and sensitivity to children.

The Zone is our new therapeutic recreational space where our pediatric patients and families can participate in therapeutic activities in a comfortable, multi-purpose environment. The space includes a quiet/meditation room, a theater, a kitchen/concession room, a teen activity space, a school age activity area, a reading nook and a fully-functional closed circuit television studio.

• Excellent opportunity for people who are interested in child development and for those who want to help children who may be seriously ill
• Training and supervision provided
• Minimum age: 17 (limited opportunities for 15 & 16 year olds)
• Minimum hours: 4 consecutive hours a week for 4 consecutive months. Summer programs available. 
• Times to volunteer: 7 days a week; morning, afternoon and early evening.

Now that one phase of your accomplishments in the working world is completed, we invite you to pursue new and constructive activities through the Executive Volunteer Service Program – helping others through your knowledge, skills and compassion.

Much more than a typical volunteer program, the Executive Volunteer Service Corps offers people aged 50 and older a dynamic environment to achieve personal growth and fulfillment.

• Excellent opportunity to contribute to the well-being of others, interact with people of all ages and backgrounds, develop new skills, form new friendships, and expand your knowledge and awareness
• Orientation and supervision provided
• Minimum age: 50
• Minimum hours: dependent on placement
• Times to volunteer: Varies with placement

Volunteers in Music for Healing complement the healing process through music. Volunteers may perform either at the bedside of those patients interested in hearing music, or in an open area where patients and their families may come to listen. Musicians must demonstrate sensitivity to the special needs of patients and should have a knowledge of soothing music. Volunteers will use voices, instruments, or both to provide this service.

• Excellent opportunity to bring comforting music to our patients
• Orientation and supervision provided
• Minimum age: 18
• Minimum hours: variable
• Times to volunteer: Seven days a week

Patients' Library volunteers bring books, magazines and audio/visuals to patients for recreation and diversion. Volunteers may also assist with clerical tasks in the library.

• Excellent opportunity for students and others who want patient contact or to assist in a library setting
• Training and supervision provided
• Minimum age: 15 for work in library; 16 for taking the book cart to patient areas
• Minimum hours: Two hours per week, or 60 hours
• Times to volunteer: Wednesday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 2 P.M.

Volunteers in the Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT) Program have the unique opportunity to volunteer with their dogs to provide comfort to patients in various parts of the hospital, including Rehabilitation, Psychiatry, Acute Care for the Elderly, and Pediatrics. Pet Assisted Therapy is proven to help reduce anxiety and decrease depression in hospitalized patients and provide motivation to those who need additional encouragement during the healing process.

• Excellent opportunity for those who wish to have direct patient contact
• Volunteers are required to have dogs with good temperaments. Teams will be screened for suitability in a hospital environment and volunteer and dog must be certified through a recognized organization (e.g. Delta Society, Good Dog Foundation or Vancouver Pet Assisted Therapy Services)
• Orientation and supervision provided
• Minimum age: 18
• Minimum hours: variable
• Times to volunteer: Monday through Sunday

Since its inception in 1990, Mount Sinai's Premed Research Opportunities Program (PROP) has provided a structured setting for students who wish to pursue a career in medicine. The summer program places selected premed students in a research setting where they assist professionals for eight weeks. In addition, the students hear Mount Sinai clinicians, basic scientists and administrators speak about issues that are shaping the health care field.

• Excellent opportunity for premed students who wish to learn about lab-based research
• Training and supervision provided
• Requirements: Must have completed sophomore year of college and one year of biology/biochemistry and one year of chemistry/physics (college courses only)
• Minimum hours: 32 hours a week
• Times to volunteer: June and July, Monday through Thursday, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.

Starting in December, applications for the coming year will be accepted. To apply online for the Premed Research Opportunities Program, please use the link on the right side of this page.

A wide-range of volunteer opportunities is available in the Department of Radiology. The Department offers diagnostic, interventional therapeutic radiology, and nuclear medicine to the patient population.

Volunteers may work with a multidisciplinary team in providing assistance and support to patients undergoing imaging studies and/or procedures. Volunteers may also assist with special projects related to radiology operations, performance improvement, research, and customer service.

• Excellent opportunity for people who wish to be of service to patients undergoing imaging studies or procedures, or for people who wish to assist with special projects.
• Training and supervision provided.
• Minimum age: 18
• Minimum hours: Time commitment varies with placement.
• Times to volunteer: Varies with placement.

Volunteer Advocates with the Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Program (SAVI) provide free and confidential advocacy, support and referral services to past and present survivors of rape, sexual assault, incest and domestic violence, their families and friends in the Emergency Department.

• Excellent opportunity for those who wish to have direct patient contact and be of service to women and men suffering emotional trauma. All volunteers must have an interest in and sensitivity to survivors of rape and/or domestic violence
• Training and supervision provided
• Minimum age: 18
• Minimum hours: One 12-hour on-call shift once a month, after successful completion of a 40-hour training course
• Times to volunteer: 6 P.M. to 6 A.M. every evening; 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. Saturday, Sunday and holidays

Individuals who wish to volunteer only during the summer months are encouraged to apply early in the calendar year. Summer placements generally last for 4 to 8 weeks.

Requirements for Summer Volunteers:

• Minimum age: 15
• Minimum time: Varies with placement
• Times to volunteer: Vary with placement

The Varsity Volunteer Corps engages high school students in a program of volunteer service designed to foster an understanding of and lifelong affinity for volunteerism. This program provides a structured and rewarding opportunity to learn what volunteering can mean to those served and to those who volunteer. Students receive a formal orientation to volunteerism, supervised volunteer experience and regular feedback sessions giving them an opportunity to explore and share their experiences.

To enable students to get the most out of their experience this program offers assistance with completing application materials and an orientation designed for high school students.

The orientation includes the following guidance:

• What to expect when visiting people in the hospital
• How to feel comfortable meeting patients and families
• What the hospital staff roles are and what to expect from interactions with staff

Benefits:

• Small team approach, allowing groups of two and three students to work together
• Regular supportive supervision and mentoring
• Informal scheduled feedback and sessions for reflection and learning

Qualifications for the Varsity Volunteer Corps:

• Excellent opportunity for high school students
• Training and supervision provided
• Minimum age: 15
• Minimum hours: three consecutive hours per week for six months or two summer months
• Times to volunteer: Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.

The mission of the Young Friends of Mount Sinai is to engage professional men and women in their 20's and 30's as supporters and future leaders of The Mount Sinai Medical Center.

When The Mount Sinai Hospital was created in 1852, the founders recognized the importance of providing service to society and educating people on the efforts taking place at the institution.  The Young Friends (formerly known as the Young Volunteers) follow in this tradition of advocacy and charity through educational and fundraising events.  Members of this group have the opportunity to connect with various aspects of Mount Sinai, learning about cutting-edge medical topics and seeing first hand how it fits into the landscape of health care today. Each year, the Young Friends select a specific program or department to support through their fundraising activities.

For more information, please call (212) 659-8500 or email youngfriends@mountsinai.org