Message from our Director:

Out of an abundance of concern for our patients, staff, visitors, and you, due to COVID-19, Mount Sinai Health System has suspended the processing of new volunteer applicants until further notice. If you are looking for ways to help, monetary donations can be made online to the special Mount Sinai COVID-19 fund by clicking here. Take good care and access these Mount Sinai resources about COVID-19 that hopefully will provide guidance and support during this trying time.

Volunteers are an integral part of the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department. They benefit everyone: patients, families, hospital staff and, most importantly, you.

Our Department offers a variety of ways to volunteer your time. Before beginning their service, volunteers will complete an application, assessment, and a medical clearance. Additionally, volunteers must participate in a child life volunteer orientation. It is preferred that candidates have prior experience with children, a background in child development, creative resourcefulness, and a desire to work with children.

Weekly attendance is required. In the case of any planned or unplanned absences, including illness, volunteers must notify their supervisor(s).

The responsibilities of our volunteers include:

• Providing developmentally appropriate play activities to individual patients referred by the Child Life Specialist.
• Assisting Child Life staff or interns in group activities, including set-up and clean-up of the activity room or clinic area.
• Assisting with toy cleaning and other non-direct patient care tasks as directed by your supervisor.

All volunteers should have the capacity to work independently, but be open to supervision. Additionally, in working with patients, all volunteers should practice strict hand-washing techniques and follow procedures for contact, isolation precautions, and other safety guidelines as outlined in the orientation checklist.

Available during the summer or throughout the year, our volunteer programs rotate on a schedule to serve our patients and volunteers. We offer this flexibility to accommodate as many volunteers as possible.

Academic Year Program for Adult Child Life Volunteers (September– May)

• Adults are interviewed and accepted on a rolling basis from July through January.
• Volunteers are required to make a minimum commitment of four consecutive hours per week for four consecutive months.
• Placements may include weekdays and/or weekends, daytime and evening hours depending on program openings and needs.

Academic Year Program for High School Child Life Volunteers (September-May)

• Positions for high school students (minimum age of 15) are very limited as these placements are restricted to select areas of the Child Life program, primarily in the KidZone TV studio.
• High school students are interviewed and accepted on a rolling basis from July through January unless the number of placements are at capacity.
• Volunteers are asked to make a minimum commitment of two-four hours per week for four consecutive months.
• Placements may include weekdays and/or weekends, daytime and evening hours.

Condensed Summer Program for Adult Child Life Volunteers (June-August)

• Positions for the condensed summer program are limited. Interviews begin in February and continue until the program is filled. Because we receive a large number of applicants, the program often fills quickly once interviews begin. 
• Volunteers will commit to 10-12 consecutive weeks from June-August. The number of days/hours per week will be determined according to openings and the needs of the Department. Placements may include weekdays and/or weekends, daytime and evening hours.
• Attendance at the Child Life volunteer orientation, typically held on the first Monday after Memorial Day, is mandatory.

Condensed Summer Program for High School Child Life Volunteers (June-August):

• Positions for the condensed summer program for high school students (minimum age of 15) are limited. Interviews begins in March, ending when the program is filled. Because we receive a large number of applicants, the program often fills quickly once interviews begin. 
• Volunteers will commit to eight consecutive weeks in July and August. The number of days/hours per week will be determined according to openings and the needs of the Department.
• Placements are restricted to select areas of the Child Life program, primarily in the KidZone TV studio, and may include weekdays and/or weekends, daytime and evening hours.

If you have questions about any of the programs listed, email.

Apply now for the volunteer programs listed above.