Patients & Visitors / Volunteering

Volunteering

Volunteering at Stanford Health Care
Welcome to Volunteer Resources! As a state-of-the-art academic medical facility, Stanford Health Care is committed to providing first-class patient-centered care. Volunteers comprise a vital part of the Stanford Health Care team; they support over 100 different departments across the main hospital, our clinics, and the community.

Prospective Volunteers

We’re excited you want to support our patients, families, and staff by volunteering at Stanford Health Care! Please read the information below carefully to ensure that volunteering at Stanford Health Care will be a good fit for your interests.

Requirements

Age-The minimum age to volunteer in any role at Stanford Health Care is 16 years old at the time of applying. Some of our roles, including all inpatient unit roles, have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old.

Time Commitment-Volunteers will be required to make a six-month minimum commitment of at least one volunteer shift per week. Some of our roles, including all inpatient unit roles, require a one-year minimum commitment of at least one volunteer shift per week.

Purpose-Volunteers should only apply to participate in the program for humanitarian reasons. Volunteering at Stanford Health Care does not fulfill clinical hours needed for school applications.

Volunteers do not shadow staff, witness or provide clinical services (intern/externship), or participate in research lab positions.


Onboarding

  1. Complete an online training curriculum (6-8 hours).
  2. Submit a background check online.
  3. Receive a health screening by visiting Stanford Health Care's Workforce Health & Wellness team to review your vaccination history, submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination, and receive a TB test. All of these health screening steps are mandatory.
  4. Attend a new volunteer orientation with Volunteer Resources.

Volunteers will only be placed into specific roles once they’ve completed all onboarding steps.

We take great care to match a volunteer's interest and skills to specific Stanford Health Care assignments, however, Volunteer Resources will make all final placement decisions to prioritize the patient experience impact and the greatest needs of the organization.


Timeline

All volunteers are required to complete the onboarding requirements within 30 days of selection.

View more general information about some of our programs and opportunities »

APPLY

Click the button below to learn more about our next application dates.

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CONTACT US
Phone: 650-723-7424
Email: Volunteer Resources

CURRENT VOLUNTEERS

Thank you for being a Stanford Health Care volunteer!

To access your Samaritan volunteer profile and log your hours, click the button below.

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Patient & Family Partner Program

Stanford Health Care’s Patient & Family Partner Program (PFPP) is comprised of volunteers who advise, consult, speak, and participate in hundreds of patient experience improvement and marketing engagements each year. The goal of the PFPP is to bring the patient and family voice into design and improvement work aimed at improving patient care at Stanford Health Care. Participation in the PFPP varies regularly and can feature engagement in activities like sitting on a council, committee, or workgroup; participating in a focus group or improvement event; speaking at trainings or conferences; being featured in marketing campaigns; sharing patient experience stories; content design/review; and general feedback/advising.

View more information about our active Patient Advisory Councils »

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the minimum age to volunteer?

The minimum age to apply to become a volunteer at Stanford Health Care is 16. However, for some of our roles, including all inpatient unit roles, volunteers must be 18.

How long does it take to start volunteering?

Individuals are required to complete the requirements within 30 days of selection, but volunteers can complete the requirements and begin service sooner than 30 days. Onboarding requires the completion of online training modules, a background check, health clearance through Stanford Health Care’s Workforce Health & Wellness office, and attendance at a new volunteer orientation with Volunteer Resources.

I have clinical training. Can I volunteer?

For legal, risk, and compliance reasons, volunteers are not able to provide clinical assistance to patients (starting IVs, wound care, taking vitals, taking notes or scribing, etc.), regardless of any clinical licenses (MD, RN, NP, PA, MA, LVN, state board certificates, etc.). The role of a volunteer is nonclinical, assisting with ancillary support to patients and families. Volunteer hours will not qualify as clinical hours.

I'm looking for an internship. Do you offer internships or externships?

We do not offer opportunities for internships or externships through the Volunteer Resources department. Please visit careers.stanfordhealthcare.org for more information.

I am interested in volunteering in a research lab. Who should I contact?

Volunteers at the hospital and clinics do not conduct research or volunteer in the lab. Please visit the Stanford Medicine website at med.stanford.edu to search for lab opportunities.

I would like to observe a clinician or “shadow” someone at SHC. Can I do that through Volunteer Resources?

Volunteer Resources does not oversee clinical or nonclinical shadowing opportunities. All inquiries should be directed to visitingobserver@stanfordhealthcare.org

I’m interested in volunteering with kids at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. Can I do that through Volunteer Resources at Stanford Health Care?

More information about volunteering at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford can be found on their website here.

I live in the East Bay and would like to volunteer at a Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley location. Can I do that through Volunteer Resources at Stanford Health Care?

More information about volunteering at Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley can be found on their website here.