Volunteer Opportunities in Healthcare
Please note: In compliance with Oregon law, OHSU’s COVID-19 Immunization and Education policy will go in effect Oct. 18, 2021. Visitors and volunteers who have an in-person assignment must be fully vaccinated (defined as having received both doses of an original two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or one dose of an original single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, and at least 14 days have passed since the individual's final dose of COVID-19 vaccine) or adhere to any requirements set forth by OHSU's Occupational Health Clinic for unvaccinated individuals.
Join us for our next Healthcare Program New Volunteer Orientation:
December 12th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Become a volunteer
- Can you commit to 26 shifts (6 months) of volunteering for 4 hours a week?
- Do you meet the minimum age requirement of 14 years old?
- Guide (must be at least 14 years old)
- Art Cart (must be at least 16 years old)
- Please note: Opportunities are extremely limited for individuals under the age of 18, who are only available nights and weekends during the academic school year. While these individuals are welcome to apply, OVV will not likely have a spot available for them. These individuals are strongly encouraged to consider applying for Summer Program 2024.
- Age 18+ are eligible for all positions
- Are you able to complete all training and compliances?
- Approximately 9 hours of online training
- Medical clearance involving immunizations (including the Covid-19 Vaccine) and a Tuberculosis Test
- Background check
- Multiple trips to OHSU during business hours for orientations, trainings and badge pick-up.
- Please note: Opportunities are extremely limited for individuals under the age of 18, who are only available nights and weekends during the academic school year. While these individuals are welcome to apply, OVV will not likely have a spot available for them. These individuals are strongly encouraged to consider applying for Summer Program 2024.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers work to positively impact the pediatric, adult or geriatric patient experience by visiting and spending quality time with patients and families. Additionally, they support staff with non-medical tasks while expanding their own knowledge of the hospital setting.
- Abdominal Transplant and Surgical Specialties
- Knight Cancer Bone Marrow Transplant
- Cardiac Progressive Care
- Cardiac Intermediate Care
- Emergency Surgery
- Family Medicine
- General Surgery
- General Medicine
- Mother-Baby
- Neurosciences and Otolaryngology
- Knight Cancer Surgical Oncology
- Emergency Department Observation
- Trauma
- Knight Cancer Adult Hematology-Oncology and Infusion
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Infusion Clinic
- Pediatric Surgery
- Adult Emergency Department*
- Emergency Department Triage Liaison
- Pediatric Emergency Department*
* Experience required
- Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
- Medical Intensive Care Unit
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
- Trauma and Surgical Intensive Care Unit
- Animal Assisted Therapy
- Art Cart
- Note that Art Cart only runs Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm
- Healing Through Music (Musical Skills Required)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Reception
- Lay Servers/Spiritual Care
- Geri-Pal Program
- Student Resource Pantry
- Farmer's Market (Summer only)
- Nourish Cart (Doernbecher Children's Inpatient)
- Nourish volunteers provide snacks and stock pantries for families throughout Dorenbecher's inpatient unit. These volunteers provide valuable comfort, connection and resources for families who aren't always able to put their needs first, while having a loved on in the hospital.
- Patient Engagement (Guide)
- Please note: Opportunities are extremely limited for individuals under the age of 18, who are only available nights and weekends during the academic school year. While these individuals are welcome to apply, OVV will not likely have a spot available for them. These individuals are strongly encouraged to consider applying for Summer Program 2025.
- Pediatric Children's Developmental Rehab Clinic Ambassador
- Pediatric Surgery Ambassador
- Tom Sargent Safety Center
- Hematology-Oncology and Intermediate Care
- Pediatric Acute Care Center
- Pediatric Acute Care Medical
- Doernbecher School Program
- Adult inpatient/outpatient Rehabilitation Services: Within OHSU Rehabilitation Services, our highly trained physical, occupational and speech-language therapists work together to improve a patient’s health and quality of life. By volunteering with OHSU rehab services, you will join the patient on their journey to recovery. Opportunities for observing and participating in direct patient care will be provided; along with chances to provide non-medical support. As a volunteer you will develop your understanding of rehab professions, the rehabilitation process, and anatomy and physiology; and you will build upon your communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. We can’t wait to have you join our team!
- Pediatric Autism Clinic/Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy Clinic
OHSU’s Healthcare Volunteer Summer Program is designed to provide a meaningful volunteer experience for students, high school or college, who are only available during their summer breaks from school to volunteer. Volunteers in the summer program will gain valuable, introductory experience in a healthcare environment at Oregon’s only public academic health center. The Summer Program asks volunteers to commit to 2 weekly, regularly scheduled shifts for a minimum of 26 shifts. This will require volunteers pick up shifts in addition to their weekly scheduled shifts. Summer Program volunteers get the unique opportunity to understand healthcare from the perspective of the patient, while making a difference in their community by participating in the following programs:
- Guide Volunteers: Guide volunteers assist in patients and families find their appointments on Marquam Hill and South Waterfront. These volunteers get to opportunity interact with patients and families directly, and will provide invaluable assistance in simplifying the complexity of OHSU Campus for everyone at OHSU. Volunteer guides much be at least 14 years old.
- Art Cart: Art cart volunteers spend time doing crafts with children and their siblings, in the clinic waiting room of the Dorenbecher Children’s Hospital 7th floor. Volunteers are tasked with engaging with children to provide distraction while they wait for their appointments, while also adhering to infection prevention precautions to help keep everyone safe and healthy. Art Cart volunteers must be a minimum of 16 years of age and have experience with children.
- Doernbecher Ambassador: Doernbecher ambassador volunteers assist families in wayfinding in the clinic waiting room of the Dorenbecher Children’s Hospital 7th floor. Volunteer provide an extra level of assistance to the all aspects of the waiting room, including playing with kids waiting for their appointments and looking out for any families who may look like they need extra assistance. Doernbecher Ambassador volunteer must be at least 16 years of age.
- Farmer’s Market: Farmer’s Market volunteers assist in set up and operations for the OHSU Farmer’s Market. This volunteer position is ideal for volunteers interested in public health or nutrition. This program gives volunteers the opportunity to use their customer service skills while supporting access to healthy and local food for the OHSU community. Volunteers must be 18 years old and must be available for most or all Tuesdays from June through September.
- Healing Through Music: Healing through music volunteers provide ambient music for general areas at OHSU, including lobbies and waiting areas. Volunteers must be able to bring their own instrument to play at OHSU (with the exception of piano.) Volunteers will be auditioned to be placed in this role. Healing Through Music volunteers play for a 2-hours shift and must be at least 14 years old.
- 8S Pediatric Surgery Ambassadors: 8S Ambassador volunteers assist the unit both behind the scenes in pre/post surgery area and in assisting families in the surgical waiting room. 8S Ambassadors get the opportunity to engage with the dynamic and exceptional Pediatric Surgery team, assisting with patient needs and learning from seasoned staff. 8S Ambassador volunteer must be at least 18 years of age.
Summer Program 2024 application's have closed for the year. 2025's application will open on January 1st, 2025.
Events can be a fun, creative and effective way to raise awareness of and provide valuable financial contributions to OHSU and its mission. Your group can help OHSU Hospital and Clinics or Doernbecher Children's Hospital by organizing a fundraiser or drive to collect supplies from Doernbecher’s Wish List.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, OHSU employees can volunteer. However, employees will be assigned outside of their department of employment and may be subject to a Position Description review by OVV.
We will send an invitation to our monthly New Volunteer Orientation within 2-3 weeks. You will receive more information at the orientation regarding your next steps. See an overview of the volunteer onboarding process.
Our minimum commitment for volunteers is 6 months, done in a minimum of one 4-hour shift per week. To find one-day or family-friendly volunteer options in the community visit the Portland area volunteer center.
You can also help by organizing a fundraiser or drive to collect supplies from Doernbecher’s Wish List.
We are unable to offer group volunteer opportunities at OHSU due to infection control standards, as well as the protection of our patients’ confidentiality and comfort. Your group can help OHSU Hospital and Clinics or Doernbecher Children's Hospital by organizing a fundraiser or drive to collect supplies from Doernbecher’s Wish List.
Currently, high school students and undergraduates who want to observe clinical operations and/or visit clinical areas must be a part of vetted and approved through established OHSU programs. See a list of approved programs.