Volunteers provide services in over 60 departments and areas. You may read about a few of the areas of service available for volunteers below:
Volunteer with Patients and Volunteer in Support Service Areas
Volunteer in Patient Areas
Many hospital volunteers serve in areas directly with our patients. They may assist by providing fun activities for our young patients or offering comfort and support to parents and families. Special training is provided to volunteers working with patients.
Child Life Unit Based:
Volunteers placed in patient care units supplement the professional services of our Child Life Staff who serve as advisors, teachers and sources of comfort, helping families and children talk about everything from X-rays and surgeries to concerns about the future. As volunteers, you will assist in the well-being of the hospitalized child through appropriate interactive play activities at the bedside, holding, nurturing patients and families, assisting with meals, and other tasks contributing to their comfort.
Nursing:
Volunteers placed in patient care units also support the nurses, care assistants and secretaries with bedside play activities, easing patient’s anxiety before minor procedures, assist with meals, running in-hospital errands, patient transport, seasonal unit decorations, clerical work and stocking items.
Playroom:
Volunteers placed in the Main Playroom are responsible for motivating and encouraging play participation. Volunteer involvement includes planning, preparing and presenting activities in the Playroom as well as participating with the children on an individual or group basis. In addition, volunteers will assist during community involvement special events. You will be supervised by Child Life Specialists, who are concerned with the emotional well being of the hospitalized child and meet their needs through play and education.
Bedside Buddies:
Not all patients are well enough to step out of their room to visit the Main Playroom or Radio Lollipop. Young patients benefit tremendously from play distraction and soothing company. During the day, parents may be at work, their nurses busy, or their Child Life Specialist visiting other patients. That’s where the Bedside Buddy Volunteers come in to entertain at their bedside with a variety of games, arts and craft activities, coloring and reading books, bead projects and many other fun toys. This program allows patients to participate in an interactive session contributing to the healing process.
Outpatient Activity Carts:
Volunteers placed in an Outpatient Activity Cart visit the waiting rooms of the hospital with a cart filled with games, books, stickers, and fun activities to entertain the children while they wait for their appointments. Volunteers have the option of moving through all our outpatient waiting areas or be stationed in one. Some of these include ER, Radiology, MRI, Admitting, Lab, Oncology Clinic, Orthopedics, and many more doctors’ offices throughout the hospitals first floor. This placement is most popular among our Teen Volunteers.
Radio Lollipop:
If it's fun you're looking for, look no further. We dance, we sing, we bring smiles to everyone at Miami Children's Hospital. You're never too old to participate or to volunteer for Radio Lollipop. If you're a high school graduate, cheerful and can spare three hours a week, you're eligible to be a part of the excitement. It is not a requirement to be a DJ on the air, but it is definitely an option. To learn more about volunteering for Radio Lollipop, click on the link above.
Volunteer in Support Service Areas
Volunteers also provide invaluable support to our hospital staff in non-patient care areas. You can read more about a few of these options. The possibilities are endless.
Offices/Clerical:
Volunteers in offices will assist with most clerical responsibilities including filing, light typing, answering phones, and other office functions as requested by the staff. There are various medical and business offices throughout the hospital where volunteers can assist such as:
Gift Shop:
The Gift Shop is a fun place to volunteer if you are a "People Person". Envision yourself working in a friendly environment, encountering pleasant experiences and donating your time to benefit the sick children at MCH. Gift Shop volunteers work on the register, with inventory and sales, decorating and re organizing merchandize, and with balloon and gift orders, which at times require a personal delivery.
Hospitality Cart:
Volunteers assigned to guide the Hospitality Cart will continually greet parents throughout the hospital units with coffee, tea and other refreshments during mornings and evenings. Parents and families are very grateful and enjoy this affable visit. This service brings nourishment and comfort to their rooms and is provided at no cost to parents, compliments of Miami Children's Hospital.
Visitor Services/Information Desk:
The Visitor Services is all about assisting and guiding our patients, families and special guests during their visit at Miami Children’s Hospital. Volunteers assist with greeting, giving directions and information to visitors and on the telephones. Volunteers also assist in providing all hospital guests and visitors a temporary security ID. All volunteers placed in our Visitor Services and Information Desk work alongside our staff.
In-Patient Pharmacy:
In-Patient Pharmacy volunteers work alongside our Pharmacy staff assisting with pre-packing items, stocking, filling floor stock requisitions and replacement stock, and assisting in the maintenance of inventory records. This is a great experience opportunity for students interested in a career in Pharmacy.
Massage Therapy for Families:
The Community and Volunteer Resources Department of Miami Children's Hospital offers many programs to entertain their young patients. These children have anxious parents, many of whom spend weeks and sometimes months in the hospital with their child. The hospital staff takes good care of the children, but who takes "care" of the parents? The Comfort Crew consists of Licensed Massage Therapists who spend a couple of hours a week giving chair massages to the parents. It can be stressful for a child to be hospitalized. The relaxation of the massage does wonders for the parents and helps ease their anxiety level. Feedback for the Comfort Crew is always positive and the need for additional licensed massage therapists is critical. If you are a Licensed Massage Therapist, we need your help. This is a great way to practice your chair massage skills, and a rewarding way to give community service.