Volunteers must have compassion for the sick and their families and a desire to work with people who may be acutely ill. They must also be willing to assist staff and learn new skills. Patient care volunteers will have direct contact with patients and will be integrated into the medical staff team. Typical duties may include visiting patients and/or their families, answering call lights, walking with patients, assisting patients at meal time and assisting at the time of admission and discharge. Some of the patient care areas include: Cardiology, Medicine, Maternal-Child Health, Psychiatry, Rehabilitation, Surgical and Medical Specialties and the Transplant Institute.

• Excellent opportunity to be of service to patients and their families and lessen the stress of hospitalization, to assist the professional staff and to learn about the hospital environment
• Training and supervision provided
• Minimum age: 16
• Minimum hours: Four consecutive hours a week for six months (100 hours) or summer placements which are 10 hours a week for eight weeks (80 hours)
• Times to volunteer: Seven days a week, morning, afternoon and the late afternoon to early evening

Office Support Volunteers have the opportunity to learn the structure and work flow of an office in a busy academic medical center.

• Excellent opportunity for individuals with good office skills who are interested in becoming part of an office support team.Responsibilities may include directing telephone calls, greeting visitors and assisting with document preparation
• Orientation and supervision provided
• Minimum age: 15
• Minimum hours: Four consecutive hours a week; number of months varies with placement
• Times to volunteer: Monday through Friday, 9 A.M, - 5 P.M.

Basic Science Research Volunteers assist in a research laboratory. Volunteers may learn various techniques such as cell culture preparation, northern, southern or western blots, gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing.

Clinical Research Volunteers assist with clinical research duties such as scheduling appointments, greeting and directing study subjects, data collection, patient recruitment and compiling essential research study documents.

• Excellent opportunity for students. Placements are determined by applicant's level of education
• Training and supervision provided
• Minimum age: 15 for basic science; 18 for clinical research
• Minimum hours: 15 a week; Four month commitment during academic year or two-month commitment during summer
• Times to volunteer:  Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.

To become a Mount Sinai volunteer please call the Volunteer Department Office at  212-241-0478 to make an appointment for an interview.

Please note that applicants holding non-immigrant visa status (including but not limited to H-1's, H-4's, TN's, TD's, F-1's, F-2's, J-1's, J-2's, and EAD holders) are not permitted to volunteer. (This does not apply to US citizens or green card holders).Please contact International Personnel at hamel.vyas@mountsinai.org for alternative options.

At the time of your interview we will provide the following required forms:

• medical screening
• drug screening
• letter of recommendation

For applicants 15–17, we provide the following additional forms:

• parental/guardian permission
• school evaluation (in lieu of letter of recommendation)
• working papers, to be provided by applicants (consult your school for how to get working papers)

On average , it takes 2–4 weeks to complete the application process.