Volunteering
UConn Health depends on over 200 volunteers to help us provide patients, families, and visitors with the compassionate care and assistance that they need. The Volunteer Services Department is tasked with recruiting and training our much-needed volunteers, and we are always in need of volunteers with different skills. Because we are an academic medical center, this provides a variety of opportunities to fit personal schedules and individual preferences.
People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some, it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others, it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. Whatever your reason, the Volunteer Services Department staff with find the right opportunity for you.
Become a Volunteer
Currently, new applications for adult volunteers are on hold. If you would like to be placed on a waiting list for information on volunteering, please email volunteerservices2@uchc.edu.
The Benefits of Volunteering
There are many benefits available to volunteers including meal passes, free parking, and access to all of the amenities such as the library, gift shop and bookstore.
Meal Vouchers
Volunteers who work a minimum of 4 hours receive a $4 meal voucher per shift. This voucher can be used in the cafeteria and can only be used on the day it is issued.
Parking
Parking is provided free to volunteers in the parking garage which can be accessed with your volunteer badge. You can also use our complimentary shuttle service on campus which is helpful if you are working in multiple locations on campus in a single day.
You will be given a parking form at orientation. Please complete it and return it to the parking office to receive your parking pass. Find more information on:
Library
The UConn Health Lyman Maynard Stowe Library located in our Academic Entrance is available for use by all volunteers. The library provides access to print and electronic materials in the biomedical sciences including books, journals, audiovisuals, and computer software.
Volunteer Uniform
Volunteers are loaned a uniform to use throughout the duration of their service. Uniforms and badges must be returned to the Volunteer Services Department when you permanently leave.
Other
As a volunteer, you can take advantage of the numerous educational seminars and health screenings that are available for employees.
Volunteer Requirements
We accept adults and college students who have a willingness to share their time, talents, and energy at UConn Health. Volunteers are required to be at least 18 years old.
Prospective volunteers are required to:
- Complete an application.
- Complete an in-person interview.
- Complete a Volunteer Immunizations Documentation Form (sent via email) and comply with UConn Health vaccination requirements
- Complete an Authorization for Background Information Sheet (sent via email).
- Attend the mandatory Volunteer Orientation.
Volunteer Commitment & General Rules
- Adult volunteers must complete a minimum of 50 hours per year.
- Adults must commit to at least a 4-hour shift per week; you can work more hours if the job requires it or the volunteer requests it.
- All volunteers will need to have reliable transportation.
- All badges need to be returned to Volunteer Services at the end of your volunteering period.
- Our volunteers are expected to act professionally at all times. The misuse of hospital equipment, furniture, desks, electronics, or any other patient care items is strictly prohibited.
- Badges must be worn at all times. If you forget your badge, you will be asked to return home to retrieve it or asked to leave for the day.
- Please come in dressed appropriately and ready to volunteer. Uniforms should be clean, and hair and nails should be neat. Please do not wear scrubs or use any product with a strong scent.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are many positions available to volunteers throughout the hospital. The majority of these positions are during the weekdays, but we do have some evening and weekend positions available.
Guest Services Representative
Volunteers are responsible for greeting, directing, and escorting patients and visitors throughout the hospital, delivering patient mail, or doing other clerical work to assist the information desks. This is an important position that requires minimal training, good people skills, and the ability to push a patient in a wheelchair for long distances as needed.
Clerical Positions
Clerical volunteers assist with answering phones and perform various clerical tasks including mailing, filing, faxing, etc. In addition, volunteers with computer skills can be involved in various computer projects. These jobs can be in any department throughout the hospital.
NICHE
Our NICHE program is seeking volunteers who want to give back to our aging population with day-to-day interactions, conversations, activities, and assistance with other needs that the unit may have in order to keep our seniors healthy and safe! This is a 1- to 2-day weekly commitment with on-site training provided. This position may require pushing an activity cart and lots of walking and talking.
Plus More!
We offer many more volunteer opportunities throughout UConn Health. There are many job-specific needs within any given department, so if you are interested in learning more, please email us at volunteers2@uchc.edu to discuss the possibilities.
Summer Student Volunteer Program
This program is designed to provide brief experiences for high school and college students interested in volunteering. It runs from June 23, 2025, to August 15, 2025.
Student volunteers must commit to a 4-hour shift per week for 6 weeks with a minimum total of 32 hours of service.
If interested, please fill out the Student Volunteer Application Form. Applications are due by March 26, 2025. Due to required background checks and other necessary procedures, exceptions will not be made.