Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking for a way to "give back," fill some spare hours in a meaningful way, make new friends or explore the possibility of a healthcare career?

What a Few of our 415 Volunteers Have Had to Say

"I retired a couple years ago. You know, the first year, it was great; I did whatever I wanted, whenever. But last year, it got a little old….I'm used to being busy, and I was getting too bored. Also, I've been lucky in my life. I was blessed with a good job, family; I've had it all. It's time to give back a little more."

"My kids are old enough to be in school during the day now, and I just felt like I wanted to do something a little different. I heard you needed help and I thought I'd see what it was all about….I'm so glad I did, I really look forward to my weekly shift here!"

"I'm thinking of studying for a medical career in college, but I'm not sure exactly what, and I wanted to see what it's like. This is great for me, I'm getting exposed to different parts of the hospital."

"My wife had passed away about a year ago, and I'll be honest with you, I was real depressed. Volunteering here saved my life. They really need me, you know?! And I have people to have lunch with too. You don't know what this means."

What Would You Be Doing, and How Often Would You Be Doing It?

Our goal is to make the best match possible between your interests/abilities/schedule and our needs. Some of the things our volunteers at Riddle are currently doing include:

• Wheel patients from their rooms to their inpatient physical therapy appointments
• Help at one of our reception desks by greeting visitors and helping them find their destinations; at main hospital reception desk also help by delivering flowers,newspapers or mail and running pharmacy/lab errands for nurses
• Clerical work for one of our hospital's many departments
• Visit patients to check if there is anything we can do to help them be more comfortable, and to chat with those who would appreciate some "non-clinical" talking time
• Help nurses on a particular unit (i.e., pick up something from the pharmacy, take something to the lab, re-fill water, visit patients, etc.)
• Help out in our Gift Shop or Thrift Shop
• Take our free magazine/book cart around to patients
• Help out in our operating room waiting rooms
• Make deliveries and do other assigned tasks for our Pharmacy

Most volunteer positions are once a week shifts for between two and four hours. However, some of our volunteers choose to do much more than that! While most of our positions are M-F between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., we do have some evening and weekend positions available as well.

If you are a high school student, college student, or adult currently looking for paid employment, please be aware that we do require you to volunteer a total number of either 25 hours for non-patient contact positions, or 50 hours for patient contact positions.  Any letters of reference or printout of hours will only be given once this minimum commitment is served.

When you express interest in volunteering with us, the first thing we'll do is schedule an appointment for you to come in to fill out a two page application and meet with the Director of Volunteer Services, Marianne Collins. No commitment necessary at this stage of the game! It's a chance for us to get to know you a bit, and for you to ask any questions you might have. If after talking we find we're in agreement on a volunteer position and schedule that seem right for you (and this is usually the case!), we'll review with you a few other things you need to know and do and get you started!

Volunteer Benefits

• A voucher for cafeteria meal if you volunteer at least four hours a week
• Free parking when you are here for your volunteer shift/s
• Free flu shots offered
• Free testing for tuberculosis
• Annual awards luncheon with awards given for hours of service
• New friends
• Excellent resume builder for our younger volunteers or those switching careers to one in the health field
• Many, many intangible benefits...the satisfaction of having helped someone who needed it, a sense of purpose and/or meaning, the feeling of "giving back"

Call us at 610-891-3170 to make an appointment or e-mail Marianne Collins at collinsmar@mlhs.org with any questions not answered on this Web site.